Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

SR No.: 001615
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur
Publication Year: 1964
Total Pages: 686
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Canon
File Size: 12 MB

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
[Ch. IV
(closed like a bud), advanced seven or eight steps towards him, circumambulated him thrice from the left to right, worshipped and saluted and offered him a seat.1
Next, the host or hostess inquired about the welfare of the guest, entertained him with food, drink and other dainties and honoured him with the flowers, cloth, perfume, garland and ornaments, in case the guest was an invited householder," particularly on the occasion of renouncing the world.
If a monk was a guest, his host welcomed him in the same manner and entertained him with food, drink, etc. which fulfilled the following conditions, viz. purity of thing (dravyaśuddhi), purity of giver (dayakaśuddhi), purity of possession (pratigrahakaśuddhi), three kinds of purity of trikarana (kṛta, kārita and unumedita) by three acts of mind, speech and body (manovakkayaśuddhena).1
It was the custom of the society that the householder should take his meal, together with his friends, kinsmen, relatives and guests. But if the host was a monk, he should take his food after entertaining the ascetic guests, as it is evidenced in the case of the royal sage Siva" in his Vanaprastha stage of life.
Different customs
The BhS reveals that it was the general custom of the people of its period, from a king down to a palanquin bearer, to take bath, to worship house-gods and to perform auspicious expiatory rites and ceremonies before starting any kind of work, e. g. going to war by a soldier, pilgrimage to a saint, or a king," attending the royal court, carrying palanquin by the palanquinbearers, performing birth-ceremony by the parents, marriage of the bridegroom and bride13 and consecration before renouncing the world and initiation," etc.
1 BhS, 12, 1, 438. 2 Ib, 3, 1, 134; 15, 1, 541. 4b, 15, 1 541. 5 Ib, 3, 1, 133; 11, 9, 417.
6 Ib, 11, 9, 417.
7 Ib, 7, 9, 300; 301; 303. Ib, 11, 11, 428.
11.12
8
13
9_10
Ib, 9, 33, 385.
14 Ib, 3, 1, 134; 9, 33, 381; 9, 33, 385; 11, 9, 417.
Ib, 9, 33, 1; 383.
Ib, 11, 11, 430.