Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 101

76.
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI Sūtra
(Ch. ffi
India flourishing side by side during the time of Lord Mahāvīra. India was politically divided into sixteen great states (Solasa-Mahajanapadas) at that time. The etymological meaning of the term Janavaya' as used in the Bhs and other texts signifies the very early stage of land-occupation by the Jana (community or clan) for a permanent settlement from a nomadic life, long before the period of Lord Mahāvīra.
This process of settlement on land went on till a Janapada (state) came into existence as territorial unit which was called after the name of the community (or clan) settled there. Their former community-significance was left out with the march of time. In most cases the political power of these states was exercised by the original Ksatriya settlers who held the reins of the government in their hands. These ruling Ksatriya communities governed the different states according to two-fold consti. tutions, viz. monarchical and republican.
In the Bhs' there is found an idea of the theory of divine kingships and some sort of social contract theory as reflected in the governments of monarchical and non-monarchical states respectively.
"Mātsyanyāyam-a pahitum prakrtibhiḥ Lakşmyāḥ Karam grāhitaḥ"." Sovereignty of State
With reference to the judicial administration, the Bh Se refers to the term ‘Danda' which generally denotes the power of punishment or punishment, vested in the ruler. This word
Danda' is also used to signify army? and sceptre, while the Brāhmaṇical texts give a quite different interpretation to it.
The Manusmrtis explains that the Danda "governs all created beings, protects and watches over them, while they sleep and the wise declare it to be the law of the state".
1 BhS, 15, 1, 554 ; 13, 6, 491.
% 16, 7, 9, 300, 301, 303. 3 16, 9, 33, 383; 13, 6, 491.
4 16, 7, 9, 300, 301, 303. * Rhälimpur Inscription of Dharmapala. Ep. Ind. IV, p. 218,
Vide Some Historical Aspects of Inscriptions of Bengal; Dr. B.C. Sen, p. 292, f. N. 2 Bhs, 11, 11, 429. ? 16, 7, 9, 303. 8 Manusmrti, VII, 18,