Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 179

154 STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SÚTRA [Ch. IV exercising their spiritual leadership over them like Somila of the Bhs'.
The second duty of the Brāhmaṇas, as mentioned in some Jaina texts other than this work was the performance of sacrifices. Thus the Avaśyaka Cūrnis furnishes the evidence that once Lord Mahāvīra passed his Pajjūsaņa period (rainy season) in the sacrificial house of a Brāhmaṇa (aggihottavasahi), a resident of Campā.
It is stated in the Uttarādhyayana Sūtra that a Brāhmana named Vijayaghoșa, who was performing sacrifice, was taught a true sacrifice by the Jaina monk, Jayaghoşa according to Sramana Dharma.
The Vivāga Suya records the evidences that one Brāhmaṇa priest named Maheśvaradatta was employed by king Jiyasattu to avert his misfortune.
In the Kalpa Sūtra? they appear as interpreters of marks of dream (Suviņalalckhanapādhaya), well.conversant with the cight divisions of the Mahānimitta and other sciences to foretell the future destiny of the newly born Child, Lord Mahāvīra at the call of his father, king Siddhārtha.
They are also found as fortune-tellers and propitiators who utter blessings for the safety of the travellers during their journey.
The duties of the Brāhmanas, viz. study and teaching of the Vedas and other Sastras (Sciences), worshipping and guiding others in offering sacrifices, giving and receiving gifts as prescribed in the Bhs and other Jaiva texts are also assigned to them by the Brāhmanical works.
i BhS, 18, 10, 647.
2 10, 11, 9, 417. 15, 1, 540. 3 Avasyaka Carni, p. 320. 4 Avašyaka Cūrni, p. 320. 6 Uttaradhyayana Sutta 25. 6 Vivāga Suya, 5, p. 33. 7 Kalpa Sūtra 4, 66 ff.
8 Nayadhammakahão 8. p. 98. See the Bhs, 11, 11, 430. 9 Manu (1, 88) “Adhyāpanamadhyayanam yajanam yājanam
tathā, dānam pratigraham caiva Brāhmaṇānām akalpayat" (88); see also Yajurveda, Kautilya Arthas. Book 1, Chapter III, 8.