Studies in Jainism

Author(s): Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture Culcutta
Publisher: Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture Culcutta

Page 15

6
STUDIES IN JAINISM
pointed out that if this Sassatavada (Eternalism) is developed, 'the resultant must be the atomic theory'. 19 It is likely that this Sassatavāda is the same as Aņuvāda, atom-theory, of the Tamil texts. According to the Tamil tradition, Aṇuvada of the Kätyāyana sect is more intimately associated with the Ajivikas, and appeared some time after them.
The eternal elements, earth. water, etc., unite or separate automatically without any volitional activity. The two elements, pleasure and pain, stand for some factors calling forth a union of those elements, just like adṛṣṭa in the Vaiśeşika system. Barua has well remarked that Katyāyana cannot be denied his rightful claim to be singled out as the Empedocles of India, for, according to both, the four elements are root-things and the formative principle is twofold 'love' and 'hatred' for Empedocles, and 'pleasure' and pain' for Katyāyana.20
III. MAKKHALI GOSĀLA (THE AJĪVIKA SECT)
Makkhali Gosala (Maskari Gośāla) was the leader of the Ajivika sect. Before Gosāla, there were two leaders of the sect, viz. Nanda Vaccha and Kisa Sankicca. Gosāla is said to have been born somewhere near Śrāvasti, and left home for some unknown reason and became a homeless wanderer. His career as a wanderer covers about 24 years, of which the first six21 he spent at Paṇiyabhumi together with Mahāvīra. He parted company with the latter on account of doctrinal differences, and went to Śrāvasti, where he attained Jinahood and became the leader of the Ajivika sect. He died sixteen years before Mahāvīra, who predeceased the Buddha at least by a few years. In the Bhagavati-Sūtra, Gosäla is stated to have been a disciple of Mahāvira at Nālandā, but it is not admissible.
The name of this teacher is variously spelt: Makkhali Gosāla in Pali, Mankhaliputta Gosäla in Ardha-Magadhi,
19. Op.cit., p.23.
20. A History of Pre-Buddhistic Indian Philosophy, pp.283-84.
21. Only one year according to the Kalpa-Sutra. See Amulya Chandra Sen, Schools and Sects in Jaina Literature (Visva Bharati Studies No. 3, Calcutta, 1931), p.8. According to the Bhagavati-Sutra, six years. See Barua, Ājivikas, p.7.