Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 289

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
[Ch. IV
It is stated here that the mother of the prince Jamāli put the tuft of his hairs (aggakesa) in a jewelled casket and placed it under the pillow (ošīsagamile)', after taking it first in a piece of white cloth, washing it with the fragrant-scented water, then worshipping it with the most excellent incense and flowers and binding it in a piece of pure cloth to preserve it. Festivals
The Bhs shows that the people of its society celebrated many kinds of festivals and ceremonies on different occasions, as already referred to, such as, festivals of Indra, Kärttilca, Vāsudeva, Nāga (Snake-deity), Yakşa, Bhūta (Vyantaras), Kúpa (well, i, e. opening ceremony of well), Tadāga (tank), Nadi (river), Hrada (lake), Vīksa (tree), Caitya (temple), Stūpu (relic worship), etc.' in the performance of which the entire community participated with great enthusiasm and joy.
Besides these, the people observed the ceremonies of the births and marriage and the other incidents of life of an indivi. dual with the prevailing social customs of that period according to the economic prosperity of the family.
The customs of ceremonies of the birth and marriage have already been dealt with in the fourth section of this chapter in connection with the topics— Birth and its celebration' and "Marriage Ceremony'. Death
The Bhs presents a picture of various classes of deaths caused by different factors, such as, natural and unnatural, accidental and suicidal, murderous and voluntary, etc.
According to the text there are two main categories of death, viz. unsaintly (Bālamarana) and saintly (Panditamarana) deaths.
Under the first one come the following twelve kinds of death caused by the individual and social factors, viz. Valataḥ
1 BKS, 9, 33, 385. 4 Ib, 11, 11, 430.
11, 9, 33, 383. Ih, 2, 1, 91.
% 10, 11, 11, 429.