Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

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14
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
[Ch. I
stories of Mahabala, Jamali' and others, and some pious legends, e. g. Gośāla-upākhyāna.3
Like the Uvasagadasão it embodies lessons for lay disciples and presrcibes some rules and observances of a Jaina layman, such as, twelve vows of a householder, etc.
As in the Antagada, the BhS treats of the legends of pious men, princes and others who practised austerity to attain liberation through death by observing the vow of Samlekhana (inanition of the body to save the soul).
Like the Anuttaropapātikasūtra the BhS presents the biographies of saints who attained the highest celestial world by their prolonged asceticism and were born among the gods, e.g. Skandaka, a converted Nirgrantha monk was born among the gods in the Acyutakalpa as a result of his austerities and meditation.
In agreement with the Panhavägarana it deals with the principles of Jaina moral teachings,' influx of Karmas (asrava) into the soul which is attached to Karma and prescribes the rules to be observed to stop it, i.e. the process of Samvara (stoppage of influx of Karma) and that of Nirjara (dissociation of Karma) which leads the soul to liberation. For example, Skandaka observed the five great vows, vinayas (moral disciplines) and other acts of austerities and meditation on soul and thus he put a stop to the influx of Karma and attained final emancipation.o
Like the Vivaga Suya it proves by a series of legends the reward for the good conduct and punishment for the violation of moral prescription, as it is found in the cases of Jamali,10 Gośāla Mankhaliputra,11 etc.
1 BhS, 11, 11, 429-31. 87b, 15, 1, 539 ff. 5 BhS, Skandaka 2, 1, 90 ff; Tamali-3, 1, 134; Siva. 11, 9, 417-19; Rṣabhadatta-9, 33, 382: King Udayana-13, 6, 491 ff. Ib, 2, 1, 93 ff.
8 Vide infra Ch. VII, Sec. VI. 10 BhS, 9, 33, 386-7.
2 Ib, 9, 33, 383-81.
4 Vide infra Ch. VII, Sec. 5.
Vide infra Ch, X, Sec. IV. 9 Vide infra Ch. VII, Sec. I 11 Ib, 15, 1, 339 ff.