Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 541

$16 STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SÚTRA [Cb. VIII branch of the Sakas. But their existence at the time of Lord Mahāvīra seems to be a historical absurdity without further evidence.
Sabaris (Sabaras)
The Sabarīs also find mention in other indegenous and foreign accounts as a distinct non-Aryan tribe. The Paumacariu of Sayambhū locates them in the Vindhyas, while Cunningham suggests the identity of the Sabarai with the Suari of Pliny and holds that both of them are identical with the Sabaras of the Sanskrit works-a wild tribe spreading over the region to the south of Gwalior and Marwar where they are still styled as Sนช่น8.
Parasis (Pārsīs = Persians)
The Pärasīs of the Bhs were the people of Pārasa country (modern Persia) who are also referred to in other Jain texts, foreign accounts and epigraphic records' as a distinct race. The relation between India and Persia dates back to the hoary past of the Indo-Iranian unity when the ancestors of the Indo-Aryans and Perso-Aryans formed the common racial group till the final comptete historical separation of these two peoples took place through the process of migration into different countries. But a certain community of interest, both political and economic brought about the relation of the two Nations again in the North-West of
* Aitareya Brāhmana VII. 18; Matsya Purāna 144. 46-9; Rāma.
1. 1. 55. etc. 2 Ptolemy's Ancient India--Mc. Crindle, Ed. S. N. Mazumdar--
p. 173. 8 Pauma Cariu: Sayambhū, S. 21. 4 Vide, Tribes in Ancient India : Dr. B. C. Law-p. 172. 5 Avaśyaka Curni-p. 448; Uttarādhyayana [ika ; Kālaka
cāryakathanaka. & Herodotus' accounts 1. 177; Hdt. II, 94. Cf. ch. III, 89;
III, 94 II, 44 ; cf. III, 102. 7 Darius, Persepolis Edict (15-18). 518-515 B. C.; Nākshi
Rustam (NK 9-23-26) after 515 B. C. Behistun Inscription, 1. 14-17; sar rese. Cf. 10-18. N. R. 9-22-30, Persian coins ; Vide, C. H. I. Vol. 1, Plato, 1. Ch. XIV. pp. 285-308.