Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 293

FIFTH CHAPTER
Economic Conditions
FIRST SECTION
Agriculture
The very material necessity of human life has led men to devote their time very much to the earning of their livelihood, accumulation and distribution of wealth in different forms in various ways from the time immemorial. Since then the whole economic activity of the human society has been concentrated on the production, consumption and preservation of food and other necessaries of life for the present and future days.
Thus the Science of Economics (Varta) evolved itself out of the economic pursuits (Vitti Vrtti)1 of men, such &S, agriculture (phoḍikamma Sphotiḥ-bhūmeḥ sphotanam halakudālādibhiḥ saiva karma sphotikarma. comm.), arts and crafts (sippa), industry, trade and commerce (vanijja), etc.
It is clear from the BhS and the other literary works that the main factors of production of the requisites of economic life are land (khetta), labour, capital (dhana), and organization (negama), which formed the basis of the 'Science of Economics' in the socio-economic evolution of human civilization in the distant past.
The text throws a welcome light upon the different aspects of the economic conditions as reflected in its stray references, beginning from the hunting and agriculture upto that of a developed economy of trade, industry and banking, organized and run by the private guild of merchants.
Thus the text presents a detailed account of various arts and crafts, trades and industries and professions adopted by the
1 BhS, 7, 6, 288. 3 lb, 17, 5, 525.
2 1b, 8, 5, 330. 4 Ib, 3, 5, 330.