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 BHAGAWATI SÚTRA [Ch. IV Like the Jaina texts, the Buddhist works? also assign a similar social status to the Brāhmaṇas, but they place them after the Ksatriyas, while all the Brāhmaṇical literatures offer them the highest position in the society. The Khattiyas
The Ksatriyas figure as the ruling caste and occupied the first and foremost position in the society, having formed the rank of the nobles during the time of Lord Mahāvira.
It is learnt from the Bhs that the following Ksatriya kings had been ruling over different parts of India at that period, viz. Seņiya' (Bimbisāra) of Magadha, his son, Kūņika“ (A jātaśatru) of Campā, Cedaga® of Vaiśālī, Udayana® of Kaušāmbi, Udāyana? of Sindhu-Sauvīra, his nephew Keśikumāra, Mahāsena' of Avanti, Bala1o and Siva'l of Hastināpura.
Besides these kings, there is the mention of other Ksatriya princes like Jamālī’s of Ksatriyakundagrāma, Abhīcī Kumāral of Sindhu-Sauvära, Mahābala?4, the son of Bala, and Śivabhadra's, the son of Siva of Hastināpura.
The Ksatriyas were divided into several communities, viz. the Ugras (Ugga), the Bhogas (Bhoya), the Rajanyas (Rāinnā), the Iksvakus (Ilokhāgā), the Jnātris (Nāta), the Kauravas (Koravvā), the Ksatriyas18, the Licchavis and the Mall akis (Licchai and Mallai)".
1 See Nidánakathā (1. p. 49) in which it is stated that the
Buddhas are born in one or other of the two higher classes the Khattiyas or the Brāhmanas, never in low caste.-Cf. Vajasaneya Samhita (XXXII, 19), and Kathaka (28.5) where the superior position is given to the Ksatriyas rather than to the Brāhmanas (Mazumdar, Op. cit. pp. 367, 369. Fick. Op. cit. p. 84 ff); Refer to Dr. G. S. Ghurye's--Caste and Race in India' p. 63 f and the struggle between Vasistha and Viśvāmitra for the social position. For all these informations see Life in Ancient India as depicted in the Jaina Canons'-by
Dr. J. C. Jain p. 140, foot note 9. ? Rgveda X, 90, Y. 12; Manu, 1, 31. 9 Bhs, 1, 1, 6.
4 16, 7, 9, 300, 301, 6 16, 7, 9, 300 (Comm.), 12, 2, 441. 6 1b, 12, 2, 441. 7,9 16, 13, 6, 491. 10' Ib, 11, 11, 428. 11 Ib, 11, 9, 417. 11 16, 9, 33, 383. 18 16, 13, 6, 491. 14 10, 11, 11, 429. 15 Ib, 11, 9, 417. 16 16, 9, 33, 383; 11, 11, 419; 20, 8, 683 17 16, 7, 9, 300, 301.