Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 110

Sec. IV]
stubIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SÜTRA
85
FOURTH SECTION
System of Administration Crown-Prince
A crown-prince? (e.g. Jamālī, Śiyabhadra, etc.) who is a heir-apparent stands second in rank to the king in the government as revealed in the Bhs. But no specific duties have been assigned to him. It is learnt from other Jaina texts that he had to attend the assembly and carry on administrative functions after completing his daily duties.
The Bhs indirectly mentions some qualifications of the crown-prince, requisite for running the administration of the government. But other Jain works refer to his virtues and necessary qualifications in details. Thus it is stated in the Anuyoga Cūrni that he possessed eight virtues, such as, aạimā, mahimă, etc.', and he was to learn “seventy-two arts, eighteen provincial languages (deśābhāsā), music, dancing and the art of fighting on horse-back, elephant, and chariot'' in order to equip himself with knowledge and experience in different branches of learning with a view to shouldering the heavy burden of the state duties.
Viceroyalty and Succession
The study of the BhSclearly shows that the principle of hereditary kingship was generally followed by the ruling kings in the matter of succession to the throne. Naturally the sceptre
1 BhS, 9, 33, 383; 11, 9, 417 ; 13, 6, 491. 2 V yavahāra Bhăsya, 1, p. 129. 8 Anuyoga Cúrni, p. 11,
Ovaiya Sutra, 44, pp. 185 ff.; The crowo-prince is referred to in the Brāhmaṇical works as one of the eighteen Tirthas. "He was the right hand, right eye and ear to the king”, Dikşitar, H. A. I. pp. 106, 109f; also Cf. the Kurudhamma Jataka (11, No. 276, p. 374) "where it is said that the crownprince was to attend upon the king every morning and receive the greetings of the people". Life in Ancient India, p. 58. f. 3 by Dr. J. C. Jain. Bhs, 11, 9, 417 (King Siva of Fastinä pura abdicated the throne in favour of his eldest son, Sivabhadra before renoun. cing the world.)