Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 419

STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
[Ch. VII garlands and ornaments; having gone to the north-eastern quarter. His mother received them in a piece of pure cloth and advised him, shedding tears thus: "Son, self-control should be practised, passion should be conquered, exertion should be made", with these words the parents of prince Jamali retired to their palace. Then the prince, having pulled out five handfuls of tuft of his hair approached Lord Mahāvīra and got initiated by the Master (pavvaio), together with his five hundred followers. He studied eleven Angas and practised various acts of austerities and meditations.1
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A similar account of the preparatory ceremony, initiation and taking to ascetic life is presented in the case of king Udayana of Sindhu-Sauvira In the cases of other householders like Rṣabhadatta and Sudarsana', the Parivrajaka Skandaka" and others, a simple ceremony of initiation was observed by the act of pulling out five handfuls of tuft of hair and it was followed by the formal initiation. In this connection it is to be noted that a special attention was paid by the Master in regard to the initiation of women to asceticism, as it is evidenced in the undertakings of the state of houselessness by Devananda' and Jayanti.8
Ascetic Life
The BhS presents a vivid picture of ascetic life as observed by the Sramana-Nirgrantha monks by making references to the acts of austerities practised by Skandaka and others.
A Nirgrantha monk stays like a snake with its concentrated sight (buddhi intellect) or like a razor with absolute sharpness, by chewing the words of the Nirgrantha teachings hard as ironbarley and tasteless as particles of sand."
Practice of Asceticism
The Bh presents a graphic account of the practice of
1 BhS, 9, 33, 385.
.
4 Ib, 11, 11, 432.
7 Ib, 9, 33, 382.
2 Ib, 13, 6, 491. 5 Ib, 2, 1, 92.
8 Ib, 12, 2, 443.
Ib, 9, 13, 382.
6 Ib, 11, 9, 418. 9 Ib, 9, 33, 384,