Some Aspects of Jainism in Eastern India

Author(s): Pranabananda Jash
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publisher's Pvt Ltd New Delhi

Page 137

On the Ajivikas
109
ascetics of the last category undoubtedly held an important and prime position, especially for their adherence to a severe form of penance when they entered large earthen vessels. Evidences are not lacking relating to the variation of different types and gradations of austerities performed, possibly by different ascetics according to their requirements in various stages.
There is no denying the fact that the Ajīvikas stressed much emphasis on the performance of severe austerities and moral discipline. The Sthānānga-sūtra mentions that the Ajīvikas practise four kinds of austerities, viz. severe austerities, fierce austerities, austerities due to abstention from ghee and other delicacies, and indifference to pleasant and unpleasant food. They are also said to perform the following four-fold brahmacarya:
(i) Tapassitā, i.e. asceticism; (ii) Lúkhacariyā, i.e. austerity; (iii) Jeguccitā, i.e. comfort-loathing; and (iv) Pavivittatā, i.e. solitude.
Anyway, these are some of the stray references scattered all over the Buddhist and the Jaina literatures showing different forms and stages of austerities performed by the Ajiyika mendicants. Even stipulations were also made in connection with the acceptance of the four drinks (pāņagäim) and the four substitutes for drink apā. şagãi).66 The followings are the four ‘kinds of liquid suitable to an ascetic':
(i) Gopusthae, i.e. cow's urine; (ii) Hattha-maddiyae, i.e. water soiled by hand; (iii) Āyavatattae, i.e. drink heated by the sunshine; and (iv) Silāpabbhatthae, i.e. water dripping from a rock.
Provisions for the substitutes for drink are also found mention in the texts:
(i)
Thālapāņae (Sthālapāņaka), i.e. water kept in earthen jars,
etc.
(ii) Tayā-pāņue, i.e. holding an unripc mango or other fruit
in the mouth without drinking the juice; (iii) Simbali-pānae, i.e. putting unripe simbali-beans or some