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160
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
[Ch, IV
of the above mentioned Kşaatriya kings and princes, ruling over their respective states with the assistance of large contin. gents of officials of all grades.
Further, the two political events, viz. Mahāsiläkuntaka Sangrāma and Rathamusala Sungrāma as already mentioned, speak themselves of the most essential duties of the Ksatriyas, who took part in these two wars on behalf of the two fighting camps of Vaišāli and Magadha respectively for the protection of economic and political interests of their respective states.
Lord Mahāvīra also infused a spirit of renunciation into the hearts of a number of kings, princess and princesses, who undertook the state of houselessness from that of the worldly life and devoted and dedicated themselves to the search of truth, religion and philosophy for the highest spiritual realization by renouncing the mundane life of materialism. Thus they advanced the cause of the religious movement of that period and made a contribution to the Indian culture and civilization by their religious devotion, spiritual activities and patronization of the ascetic order. Gābāvas and Vanik (The Vaisyas)
In the social order as revealed in the Bhs next stand the Gāhāvaīs“ (householders) and Vaniyā (merchants) who corresponded to the Vaiśyas, the third Varna and formed the rank of the majority of commoners.
It appears that the entire system of production of neceSsaries of social life and national wealth was controlled by the members of these two communities, particularly the mercantile class who exercised a great influence on the economic policy of the state.?
The Bhs mentions a number of very rich houreholders and merchants and guild-president (Sethi) who were
1 Bhs 7, 9, 300, 301, 303.
1b, 13, 6, 491 ; 11, 9, 417. 3 16, 9, 33, 383-85 ; 11, 11. 431 4 16. 12. 2. 441. o BhS, 2. 1, 90 ; 3, 1, 134; 3, 2, 144 ; 15, 1, 541. & Ib, 15, 1, 547. 710, 9, 33, 383; 17, 9, 300; 9, 33, 385 ; 13, 6, 491.
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