Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 286

Sec. VIII] STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATŤ SUTRA 201 (gorahaga), the play with ball of cloth (celagola)", cock and peacock fights', etc. Manners and Customs
Manners and customs of a society are the reflections upon the true nature of its culture as manifested in various forms of the individual and social behaviour and relation of the people as a whole. They are the most essential factors for determining the cultural standard of the entire community, because they reveal to a great extent the real picture of the prevailing social conditions with their all brightuess and shortcomings. Hospitality to Guests
As already pointed out in the third section of this chapter, the Bhss throws a welcome light upon the manners and customs of welcoming, honouring and entertaining friends, relatives, kinsmen, guests and monks on various occasions, such as, birth-ceremony, marriage, departing ceremony for undertaking the state of houselessness, etc. Here an attempt will be made to study them in regard to the manner of hospitality to guests.
Whenever any guest, whether a familiar neighbour or å monk, arrived at the residence of a householder, it was the social custom to welcome him in the following manner.
On the approach of the guest to the house, the host imme. diately got up from the seat, advanced seven or eight steps forward towards the guest, worshipped and saluted him and offered him a seat. In the case when a monk happened to be the guest, the host, after getting up from the seat, put off the sandals, put the utturāsanga (upper garment) on the left shoulder, placed the hands in the form of afijali salutation
1 Suyagadanga-2. 13f; for others refer to Digha Nikaya 1. p-6,
Ma jh ma Nokage 1. p. 266; Set galao@, pt. 1. pp. 84f. 2 Uttaradhyayana sikā.13. p-191; See 'Life in Ancient India as depicted in the Jain Canons' by Dr. J. C. Jain for detailed accounts of various games, amusements, p. 238-41. 8 Bhs, 12, 1, 438 ; 15, 1, 541 ; 15, 1, 557.
The meaning of the phrase 'egasādagam uttarāsamgarn kattvā' is not quite clear. The above meaning has been adopted in accordance with the Pali phrasé ekaṁsam uttarāsamgain karittvā': Cf. Pali Mahāvagga, Brahma-yācana kathā etc.