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Rishibhashit : A Study
19. ARIYAYAN
The nineteenth chapter of Rishibhashit173 is about the Arhat Rishi named Ariyayan. Besides Rishibhashit Ariyayan has not been mentioned anywhere else. Buddhist and Vedic traditions are also silent about him. As such nothing conclusive can be said about his personality and history.
This chapter states that in the begining only Aryas existed. Consequently, as preachings, it states that non-Aryan thought, activities and friends should be curbed, because indulging in them leads to continued rebirths in this world. As against this, one who has Arya thoughts, activities, and friends attains Aryatva (Aryahood). In the end it states that Arya-perception, Arya-knowledge, and Arya-conduct are right and should be followed.
Besides this brief discourse, nothing more is available about Ariyayan.
20. UTKAT (BHAUTIKWADI)
The title of the twentieth chapter of Rishibhashit174 is Utkal or Utkat. There is no mention about any author of this chapter. Although, at the end of the chapter, like other chapters in the book, the stock phrase, has been mentioned; it has hardly any relevence to the preceding statements. The stock statement has been given in persuance with the style of all other chapters. In fact as this chapter contains the propagation of Bhautikvadi (materialistic) principles there is no mention of any Rishi as its preacher.
This chapter classifies five types of Utkat: Dandotkat, Rajjootkat, Stenotkat, Deshotkat and Sarvotkat. In this context, first of all the meaning of the word utkat should be understood. Although the word utkat has a variety of meanings, it would be best here to take the meaning as agitated or confused. One of the meanings of utkat is intoxication also. Infact the materialistic lifestyle was opposed to the spiritual life style and as such it was called utkat. This is also possible that the spiritualists gave the name 'agitated' (utkat) to the believers of materialism. The materialists consumed wines etc. and did not consider that to be wrong, that may also be one of the reasons. Another possibility is that the original Prakrit word ukkal may be the utkul of Sanskrit; which means a degraded or despicable family. If we take it as utkool it means that which flows beyond bank or breaking the banks, this indicates that
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