Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 220

Sec. III]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
195
The picture of the family life as depicted in the BhS is also found in other Jaina texts.
In addition they give some brilliant examples of the joint family system, the natural devotion and honour and duty of the sons to their parents, and relationship among the brothers.
Thus the Nayadhammakahão1 refers to a big joint family of a merchant consisting of his four sons and daughters-in-laws and its other members. They were living together very happily with mutual love, devotion and duties to one another. The merchant was very anxious about the future fate of his dear joint family as to who would maintain and continue the unity and integrity of his happy house after his death.
It is learnt from the Sthānanga Sutra that the greatest reverence was paid by the sons and daughters to the parents who were regarded like the master, religious teacher and god.
So, it was the natural duty of the sons and daughters to serve them with best care and attention by giving them bath, dressing, decorating and entertaining them with eight kinds of cooked food.
There is also a reference to the salutation by the children to the father, having touched his feet (payavandaya) everyday, because he was like a teacher and a god to them and his life was more precious to the rest of the family".
The mother was also held in great esteem in the society as depicted in other Jaina texts in one of which it is found that king Pusanandi paid his reverence to his mother and used to take his bath and meal after his mother had enjoyed them first®.
As regards the relation among the brothers, it is learnt from the Nayadhammakahão' that the Brahmana brothers named
1 Nayadhammakahão, 7, p. 84 f.
2 Sthananga Sutra 3, 1, 135.
Cf. Nayadhammakahão 1, 13; 16, 176.
3 Sthānanga Sutra 3, 1, 135.
Cf. Nayadhammakahão 1, 13; 16, 176.
6 Vide Life in Ancient India by Dr. J. C. Jain.
7 Nayadhammakahão 16, p. 162, for all these references, see Life in Ancient India, pp. 146, 147.
Ib, 18, p. 213.
5 1b, 18, p. 213.