Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 200

Sec. II]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
175
He is said to have "possessed a treasure of four kror measures of gold deposited in a safe place, a capital of four kror measures of gold put out on interest, a well-stocked estate of the value of four kror measures of gold, and four herds, each herd consisting of ten thousand heads of cattle." He was "a person whom many kings and princes and merchants made it a point to refer to, and to consult, on many affairs and matters needing advice,...in short, on all sorts of business. He was also the main pillar, as it were, of his own family, their authority, support, mainstay and guide. In short, he was a cause of prosperity to whatever business he was concerned with."
"Ananda had his own Posahasala (fasting-house) in the Kollaga suburb of Vanijyagrāma, in the midst of his people of Nata or Jnatri clan."
The Bhs and the Uvasagadasão clearly show that an attention was paid to individual, social and religious aspects of a householder's life."
Though the desire for sex, progeney and property received the first attention and care in this part of life, yet the spiritual aspect of this stage was not ignored, because the vision of the future was the guiding principle of the householder as conceived in the first stage of 'Brahmacarya' to follow in his day-to-day activities. He had to perform both secular and religious duties to the family, the society and to himself. Thus a balance was maintained in this material life of the second stage.
Vanaprastha (Vāṇapattha, third stage of life)
In connection with the austerity practised by the royal sage, Siva of Hastinapura the BhS presents a vivid picture of
1 Uvāsagadasão, Lec. 1 Hoernle's Translation. See also 'Mahavira' His life and teachings by Dr. B. C. Law., p. 38-39. 2 Cf. Arthaśāstra, Book 1, Ch. III, 8. p. 7. It states "the duty of a householder is earning livelihood by his own profession, marriage among his equals of different ancestral Rsis, intercourse with his wedded wife after her monthly ablution, gifts to gods, ancestors, guests and servants and the eating of the remainder",