Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 470

445
Sec. VII]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
having enjoyed the divine enjoyment, it is reborn from that celestial state in the sixth Samjnigarbha as human being; from this state of existence it is born as god in the Kalpa called Brahmaloka, having the length of life of ten-Sagaropamas, having fallen from there it is reborn as human being in the seventh Samjnigarbha; after full course of pregnancy of nine months seven and a half nights and days it is born as a boy. In this process of Samjnigarbha fourteen births are involved. Gośāla is said to have entered into these seven Samjnigarbhas and seven parivrtya-pariharas (re-animations) as already mentioned in connection with the account of his life.
Conception of Liberation
According to the doctrine of Ajivikism as revealed in the Bhs there is no short cut for a being to attain the final liberation without undergoing the process of so many births and rebirths till its Karmas get annihilated.
This conception of liberation in Ajivikism as embodied in the Bhs is also found in the Buddhist works where it is explained that there is no short-cut door to bliss without transmigration. Thus it is explained "Bijaka, wait on Destiny, whether (a man has) joy or sorrow, it is obtained through Destiny. All beings are purified through transmigration, (so) do not be eager for that which is to come."
"N' atthi daram sugatiya Niyatim kańkha Bijaka; Sukham va yadi va dukkham Niyatiya kira labbhati; Samsarasuddhi sabbesaṁ mā turittho anagate."
Eight Finalities2
It is recorded in the BhS that Gośāla propounded the doctrine of eight lasts, viz. the last drink, the last song, the last dance, the last solicitation (or salutation), the last great tornado,
1 Jataka, V1, p. 229, Cf. Ime satta. Samsara Suddhikā;
Jātaka, V, p. 228.
2 Bhs, 15, 1, 554.