Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

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from the teachings of Lord Mahāvīra and given a shape of grantha by Sudharma-Svāmin and then it was transmitted by him to Jambū-Svāmin, in the second stage it was collected and fixed in the Patali putra Council and in the third stage it was codified by the Vallabhi Council as the tradition says. But the core of the contents and subject-matter of the work existed long before the time of Lord Mabāvīra. Its language represents the Middle-Indo-Aryan stage, so its contents and language lend support to the assignment of its date to the period beginning from the 6th Cen. B. C. to the 6th Cen. A. D. As regards the technique of its style, it originates with prose containing the thoughts and activities of various religious teachers and conveys them through the language of the people in their own natural style.
The third chapter deals with the political conditions as reflected in the Bhs and reveals that there was no political unity among the different states of India under one sovereign ruler during the time of Lord Mahāvīra. A quadrangular struggle among the four leading states, viz. Kāsi, Košala, Vaišāli, and Magadha went on and led to the two great devastating wars called Mahasilākantaka-Sangrāma and Rathamusala-Sangrāma for establishing their respective political and economic supremacy over North-East India. In these wars king Kūņika came out successful by inflicting a crushing defeat on the confederate army of Kāsi, Košala, nine Mallakis and nine Licchavis led by king Cetaka of Vaiśālī. This chapter throws an important light upon the polity and administration by giving an idea of the political theory and administration of both monarchical and non-monarchical forms of government, running side by side. The former was based on the principle of divine kingship and the latter on the social contract theory, as they are reflected in the monarchical state of Magadha, and the Republics of the Licchavis of Vaisalī and of the Mallakis of Pārā and Kusinārā.
The fourth chapter treats of the social conditions as reflected in this canonical work by making a critical study of Varnas (social orders), Aśramas (stages of life), social structure and family