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16. SOME ASPECTS OF CULTURAL ACCOUNT
IN ASANGA'S WORKS In the present text of the available portions of the YBS, several references to some items are also found, a study of which from the cultural viewpoint may be useful. They not only refer to the conditions in Asanga's time but they equally give a expression to Asanga's view-point with regard to these matters. A few of these references may be noticed here.
Asanga refers to the sovereign power of the king who had a control over what was going on in the state. He could permit as well as forbid any action after proper review and consideration. Four classes (varņas) in the society were recognised in the social order. Mendicants formed a separate class in the society with several religious classes of theirs. A difference between the social code for the renounced (pravajita) and house-holders (gphasthas) has also been referred.4
It seems that in Asanga's time individual had had a private possession over agricultural fields, residential houses were regarded personal properties and private accumulation of money (Kosa-sarncaya or Kośa-samțddhi) was also allowed." 1. mesafeugaifa fra 7 aftagafa safrati
ततस्तन्नैमित्तिकं अदत्तादानमाकर्षणपराकर्षणं प्रज्ञायते । qarafrafar GTA Ferrafa fadarth1 YBS., p. 42.
Ibib., p. 48. 3. Such as, faeport, fey, STATT, THUET, 318, 39f, 21,
212, #6a9r:, 37#62am:, etc., Vide, pp. 48-49.
Ibid., p. 48. 5. सप्त परिग्रहवस्तूनि । कतमानि । आत्मा मातापितरो पुत्रदारं दासी-दासं
कर्मकरपौरुषेयं मित्रामात्यज्ञातिसालो हितं क्षेत्रवस्तु गृहवस्तु आपणवस्तु पुण्यक्रियावस्तु कर्मान्तप्रयोगवस्तु कोशसन्निघिश्च सप्तमं वस्तु । YBS, p. 47. 1-4.
