Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 210

Sec. III] STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA
185 Janapada (State)
It has already been explained in the first section of the third chapter on 'Political conditions that a Janapada or a Mahajanapada referred to in the Bhs was an autonomous political unit.
The study of this text shows that a citizen of a Jana pada was distinguished by its name, as it is known by the fact that the two disciples of Lord Mahāvīra named Sarvānubhūti (Savvāņubhūi) and Sunaksatra (Suņakkhatta ) were called "Painajāņavae''! (Prācīnajānapada) and "Kosalajāņavae'' (Košalajānapada) respectively, i. e, they were the citizens of their own individual states.
In this connection the epithet Vesālie's, attributed to Lord Mahāvīra in reference to his designation, is of great interest bearing a historical value. Śrī Abhayadeva Sūrié explains
Vesālie' (Vaišalika) by Lord Mahāvīra and in fact as metronymicum", "Visālā Mahāvīrajanani" ; "Vesāliya-Sāvae Viśālā Mahā. vīrajananī tasya apatyamiti Vaiśālikuḥ Bhagavān, tasya vacanam śrņoti tadrasikatvāt iti Vaiśālika Śrāvakah”.
The historic and social association of Lord Mahāvīra with this city is thus suggested by this epithet "Vesālie", which leads one to conclude that he was born in Vaišāli and so he came to be known by the name of his state.
Even some of the female slaves employed in the service of the rich aristocratic family of the Brāhmana, Rsabhadatta? were distinguished by the names of their respective states (or countries), e, g. Ciläiyā (Kirātikā), Arabi (Arabian), Singhali (Ceylonese), and Pārusī (Persian, of Pārasa country= Persia).
Varna and Jāti (Order and caste)
The Varņa (Vanna) and "Jāti' as referred to in the Bhs were the next component parts of the social structure existing during its period.
1 Bhs, 15, 1, 553.
8.4 Ib, 2, 1, 90 ; 12, 2, 441. o Weber, Indian Antiquary Vol. XVII, Dec. 1888, P. 345. & See Bhs, commentaty 2, 1, 90. ? BKS, 9, 33, 382. 8 1b, 15, 1, 557. 9 16, 2, 5, 108; 109 (Jāti).
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