Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA [Ch. 1 fication of the canonical texts. It is in the form of questions and answers, in prose and verse mixed without having any subdivisions in chapter.
of the four MülaSūtras (1) the Uttarādhyayana. Sitra teaches the young monk his principal duties and furnishes him against dangers which befall an ascetic career. It is not probably composed by a single author but rather constituted of a series of tenets selected from the traditional literature and arranged according to a certain order.
(2) The Avaśyalca Sūtra in its original text does not exist but only a versified exposition called Niryukti (Nijjutti) is incorporated into a later canon in 20 chapters. The Niryukti deals with ten oompulsory observances for the monks and contains also legendary data on the twenty-four Tīrthařkaras and some informations on the discipline of Lord Mahāvīra as well as on the first schism.
(3) The Daśavaikālika is a manual of discipline in ten chapters followed by two appendices.
(4) The Pindaniryukti contains the information on the cause of hunger and the nature and kind of food to be taken.
The BhS also contains all these varied contents in a consolidated form as embodied in all the above mentioned canonical works put together and touches upon every aspect of Sramana Nirgrantha Dharma and its philosophy,
In agreement with the Acārānga Sūtra this fifth Anga gives an exposition of the disciplinary and monastic rules," observance of vows,' samitis, (rules of conduct), guptis (selfcontrol)begging rules for the Nirgrantha monks and nuns, rules prescribed for them in regard to the acceptance and taking? food by them and other rules, such as, Lāghavikar (a little quantity of article should be kept), Appiocha (a little
i Vide infra Ch. VII, Sec. 3. ? Vide infra Ch. VII, Sec. 2; BLS 15, 1, 541; 18, 10, 647 etc. 3.4 lb, 2, 1, 91.
5 Ib, 1, 3, 30; 8, 6, 333 ; 15, 1, 541. 6 16, 8, 6, 333-34. ? Ib, 7, 1, 268, 69, 70 ; 14, 8, 525; 5, 6, 210.