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For the convenience of the common readers and researchscholars, a simple method is adopted. The socio-cultural references which are more important, are noted and discussed first. Comparatively less important and miscellaneous references are dealt afterwards.
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Like the previous topics, a sample study is presented here. We can extend the study on these lines, in multiple ways. The remarkable similarities are -
[A] Castes :
Four principal castes (ie. ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय, वैश्य, शूद्र) are mentioned in both which was an obvious fact in the contemporary society. But many of the subcastes were found due to inter-caste marriages and relationships of which are also mentioned with great details and that too without any reproachful attitude, in the Arthaśāstra and Ardhamāgadhi scriptures. The staunch and disregardful attitude towards these sub-castes or so called lower castes is remarkably absent in the Arthaśāstra and ancient Jaina scriptures.
In the 63rd adhyāya of Arthaśāstra, the various castes originated due to the anuloma and pratiloma marriages are referred to. They are - अंबष्ठ, निषाद (पारशव), उग्र, व्रात्य, क्षत्य, आयोगव, चांडाल, मागधव, पुक्कस, वैदेहक, सूत, कूटक, वैण, कुशीलव, श्वपाक and अंतराल. We can trace many of these inter-castes in Ardhamāgadhī texts in the following manner -
(i) अंबट्ठ (अंबष्ठ) : Sūtrakrtānga 1.9
(ii) णिसाय (निषाद) : Deśīnāmamāla 4.35
(iii) 3 (34): Jñātādharmakathā 1.108, p.105 ( edn.); Dhavalā
(iv)
(V)
Book 13, p.387-389
() Supāsaṇāhacariya 197
(B): Sūtrakṛtānga 1.8; Uttaradhyayana 1.10; 3.4
