Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 214

Sec. III]
stubies İN THE BHAGAWATÍ SÚTRA
189
Succession
It has already been discussed in connection with the royal succession in the fourth section of the third chapter on •Political conditions' that the law of primogeniture was generally operating in the case of the royal family. On the retirement of the kings, his eldest son was usually placed by him in the affairs of the state to succeed to his property.
In the noble and rich families and other common households the same law of primogeniture determined the matter of succession to the father's property inherited from the grandfather and great-grandfather, as it is evidenced in the cases of prince Jamālr“ of Ksatriyukundagrāma, Tāmalīí of Tamralipti, Purana of Bebhela Sanniveśa and Kärttikadatta? of Hastinapura. Conjugal life .
The Bhs presents a picture of a happy family life in which the husband and wife were the equal religious partners. The wife never stood on the way of her husband's resolution to undertake the state of houselessness by renouncing the world with a view to attaining spiritual emancipation.
On the other hand she followed her husband as a devoted companion on the path of religion. Thus she helped him in every possible way she could do in relation to this stage of life by creating a serene and peaceful environment in the family. The husband also regarded her as the co-partner of bis life's journey, but he never considered her as a condemned thing in the worldly affairs.
Thus it is found that king Seņiya (Śreņika-Bimbisāra) and queen Cellanā of Magadhas, and king Udāyana and his wife,
1 BhS, 11, 9, 417.
There is an exception in the case of the prince, Abhijit, the son of king Udāyana of Sindhu-Sauvira who installed his own nephew, the prince Kesi-Kumāra on the throne by putting aside the rightful claim of his own son on the ground
of his spiritual welfare. 2 1b, 9, 33, 384; 3, 1, 134. 8 16, 15, 1, 540. 416, 9, 33, 384. 5 I6, 3, 1, 134.
6 16, 3, 2, 144, 116, 18, 2, 618. 8 16, 1, 1, 4,