Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

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16
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
[Ch. I
It puts emphasis on the supreme renunciation (Vyutsarga)? and enthanasy (enthanasie) (Samlekhanā) like the Aurapaccakkhāņa and teaches the monks in what way they should prepare themselves for the death, as it is discussed in the Bhatta. pariņņā. For example, the case of Skandaka as given in details regarding a particular point of the ritual of death that it describes the bed of grasses or straws on which Skandaka spread himself for meditating on the truth taught by Lord Mahāvīra.
Next as in Tandula-Veyāliya, this canonical work explains the gradual development of the embryo of a child and its birth, different states of existence, the functions, etc., in brief.
Like the Candāvijjhaya, Bhs treats of the general discipline showing the qualities which should be possessed by the teachers and disciples', and the rules of conduct to follow. It states that the teachers should receive disciples with affection ; there should not be the attitude of a pratyanika (opposition or enemity) in different conditions of life and it describes the manner in which one should prepare himself for the holy death. Lastly, it enumerates the host of gods and goddessess and classi. fies and describes them in details.
In agreement with the Ganivijjā, the Bhs deals with a few short treatises on some aspects of Astronomy, such as, time, hours, days, etc. and contains some rules of confession, of renunciation as prescribed in the Mahāpaccakkhaņā.
It mentions the different names of Lord Mahāvīra, such as, Vardhamāna”, Nāyaputta, Kāsava, etc. in its stray references as they are found in the Virastava. Like the Cheda Sūtras the BhS prescribes some disciplinary rules for the monks to be observed as already pointed out.
i Vide infra Ch. VII, Sec. 2 2 Vide infra Ch. VII, Sec. 1 on education (Medical science). 3 Vide infra Ch. VI, Sec. 2. 4 Bhs 9, 33, 389; 15, 1, 555 (comm); 117, 11, 429. 5 Vide infra Ch. VII, Sec. 10 6 Bhs 20, 8, 678 ; see also 1, 1, 5 (Aigara, etc.)