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 SUTRA
[Ch. IV
above truth and falsehood, pleasure and pain and did not desire this world or the next one nor the mundane existence, but aspired after attaining the pure state of soul and liberation.
The Arthasastra' expresses the same views on the fourth stage of life. It states that the duty "of an ascetic retired from the world (Parivrajaka) is complete control of the organs of sense, abstaining, disowning money, keeping away from society, begging in many places, dwelling in forest and purity both internal and external"
The references to these four stages of life in the Bhagavati Sūtra (BhS) clearly show how the individual and social life was led and what were the social circumstances, prevailing at that time. The greatness of this Varnasrama system lay in the fact that it was not only a translation into form, but it was in the actual practice of life of the society. But here this organization is not prescribed in this canonical work.
Thus the spirit of Varnasrama-Dharma illustrated itself in the system of life into stages, because spiritualism dominated the whole individual, social and political aspects of life of the people of that period. So they did not like to die in their houses but desired to attain Moksa', the ultimate goal of human life outside the household surroundings.
THIRD SECTION
Social Structure and Family Relations.
Social Structure
The social structure as revealed in the BhS consisted of Janapada (state), Varna (social order), Jati (caste), Gotra (origin), Jnāti (kinsman), Kula (family), Vamsa (lineage), and Gahāvai (householder).
1.2 Arthasastra, Book 1, chapter III, 9.