Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 197

172
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SÚTRA
(Ch. IV
in the affairs of increasing family.thread (generation), and desireless............... undertake the state of houselessness."
But this human desire could not ensnare the mind of prince Jamālī nor that of prince Mahābala, because they realized the futility and transitoriness of these fleeting enjoy. ments and sensual gratification of desires.
They did not lose the ideal of the spiritual aspect of the second stage of life, being engrossed in the material enjoyments and involved in secular duties. The knowledge and experience gained in the family affairs led them to the path of religion to attain the highest truth and spirital realization. So they undertook the state of houselessness by renouncing the world.”
It is further learnt that king Siva of Hastināpura' who prospered by his sons, cattle, kingdom, army, transport, revenue, treasury, city, inner female apartment, abundant gold, jewel and other kinds of wealth performed his both secular and reli. gious duties due to the state and the people at large.
On his realization of the higher truth revealed by the sudden spiritual awakening in his heart, one day he, having placed his son, Śivabhadra in the affairs of the kingdom, undertook the state of Vānaprastha asceticism (asceticism practi. sed by the forest recluses) by renouncing the world for the attainment of spiritual knowledge, truth and final emancipation from the bondage of mundane life.
It is further known from the Bhs that Sankha, Pokkali and others, the rich Sramanopāsakas of the city of Srāvasti passed their life by attending the holy teachings of Lord Mahāvira delivered at Kosthaka Caitya and observing the vow of fasting (Pausadhavrata) and continence (Brahmacarya) in addition to their respective household affairs.
A more vivid picture of the second stage of life is revealed in the graphic account of the household life led by the Sramanopāsakas of the city of Tunjikā. They were very rich with
i BhS, 9, 33, 384. 3.4 16, 11, 9, 417.
* 16, 9, 33, 385 ; 11, 11, 431. 6,6 16, 12, 1, 437-38.