Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

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Studies IN THE BHAGAWATİ SÜTRA [Ch. III ganarājas? (republican chiefs), which was formed under the leadership of king Cetaka to offer a stubborn resistance to the agressive war waged by king Kūņika. Like the Bhs, the Ācārānga Sutra also alludes to the Ganarājas (ganarāyāno)
The Mallakis and the Licchavis (Vajjians) are mentioned also in the Buddhist works and the Arthaśāstra* as republican communities (or corporations) having non-monarchical constitution, while Pāṇini refers to the Vrijis (Vajjians or Vajjis) of which the Licchhavi was a part.
The term "Gana' or Ganarāja as referred to in the BRS carries the conception of a republican state governed by the Ganarājas, where the sovereignty is vested in the entire population as distinguished from the word 'Rajjan' (kingdom).
As regards the human society the "Gana' signifies a body of persons endowed with the main trait of "a mind of being conscious", while the political Gana is an organized conscious corporate body of human beings having a collective mind as distinct from a mere vast crowd of people.
According to Pāṇini, Sangha signified Gana as recognized by the people of his time.?
The Jataka88 refer to the gathering of people by the bond of Gaņa (ganabandhanena) in one place for collective deliberation and work. It may be the assembly of three, four (persons or communities) or councillors or the whole city or many peoples.
These references from the Jatakas reflect the very character of Gana in those days.
. 300-301. ,1.4, 5, 35); chānau Gaņas
1 Bhs, 7, 9, 300-301.
* Ācāränga Sutra II, 3, 1, 10. * Majjhóma-Nikāya (1, 4, 5, 35).
"imesam pihi bho Gotama Sanghānam Gaņänar seyathidani Vaijjinar Mallānam," Jāta. IV, 148. "Vesālipagare Gañarājakulānai abhisekamaigalapokkhara
nim", Lalita-Vistara. 4 Arthaśästra XI, 378, p. 407. Pānini Sutra, IV, 2, 131. 8 Hindu Polity, Dr. K. P. Jayaswal, p. 25. 7 Panini Sutra III, 3, 86. Vide India as known to Pānini;
Dr. V. S. Agrawala, p. 426. 8 Jātaka 1, 422 ; Jataka I. 45.