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 SŪTRA
Ch. VII
hilating gradually the divisions of five lakh sixty thousand six hundred and three karmas and thus he puts an end to all miseries by making (causing) complete extinction of all rebirths.
The study of all these data of the doctrine of Ājīvikism reveals that this system of thought was based on the eight principles of causation. Biology in the widest sense, containing the elements of Botany and Zoology, Cosmology, Anatomy, Physiology and Embryology, Physics and Chemistry, etc., with in its sphere.
The reference to the Gitamārga and Nityamārga, the two paths, suggests that music and dance were the two ways for creating devotion in the hearts of the devotees of the Ājivika sect.
The doctrine of Parivarttavāda (re-animation) contains the seed of Niyativāda determinism), which is the motive factor of the Universe and the absolute agent of all phenomenal and noumenal changes. The principles of Niyativāda as advocated by Gośāla Mankhaliputra are clearly embodied in the Uvāsagadasão which explains thus : "There is no such thing as exertion or labour or power or energy or human strength,' all things are unalterably fixed."'1
A more clear conception of this doctrine of determinism is found in the Buddhist works, particularly in the Digha-Nikāya* where it is stated thus “There is no cause either proximate or remote for depravity of beings; they become depraved without reason or cause. “N'atthi hetu...... n'atthi paccayo sattāņam samkilesāya."
It is further explained “There is no cause, either proximate or remote for the purity of beings; they become pure without reason or cause. Nothing depends either on one's own effort or on the efforts of others......everything that lives is destitute of force, power or energy. These varying conditions at any time
1 Uvāsagadasão, 7, 199, p. 132. Dr. Hoernle. · Digha-Nikāya-1. p. 53 Dialogue-71.