Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

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STUDIES İN THE BHAGAWATÍ SÚTRA
[Ch. IV
Soma, Somadatta and Somabhūti of the city of Campā used to take their meals in one another's house by turn in order to maintain a happy family relation, although they had their respective separate families.
The features of the domestic relation as revealed in the Bhs and the other Jaina texts are also corroborated by the evidences of the Arthaśāstral and the Asokan Edicts.
Conclusion
Though the Bhs presents a picture of a happy family life without any breach of peace in it, still it is a matter of conjecture that the peaceful atmosphere of the royal family of the Ksatriya princes might have been affected by the existence of polygamy which might have probably led to the suppression of natural freedom of love of the wife by lowering her honourable position in course of time.
It is learnt that eight separate royal household establishaments furnished with a contingent of the palace-staff and attendants and other necessaries of life were maintained by each of the princes, Jamālī' and Mahābala' for their respective eight wives, probably with the apprehension, lest there might treak out any trouble and quarrel among them.
The union of eight wives endowed with heterogeneous sentiments, behaviours, cultures and education possibly changed the character of the peaceful homelife.
It should carefully be observed that even the rich environment of luxury and pleasure of the royal family could not dissuade the princes-Jamāli and Mahābala from their undertaking the state of houselessness, as the sensual gratification of desires appeared to them impure and non-eternal.
1 Arthasāstra 48, p. 47; Cf. Ib., p. 190. 9 Rock Edict III; Yerragudi Minor Edict ; Rock Edict IV and
others. * Bhs, 9, 33, 384.
Ib, 11, 11, 430.