Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 616

Sec. IV)
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SÜTRA
591
The term 'Ethics' is derived from the Greek ethikos which is related to ethos, characteristic spirit of community, people or system.
The first thing in human life is food the more of which is good. But Nature has set some limit to man's demand to enjoy more things, because it becomes harmful to him in its excessive degree. The entire idea of the moral standard is founded on the basis of this individual and social demand. But materials are limited in space and the physical personality of man in comparison with the natural forces is also limited. Only a limited quantity of food is good but beyond that it is harmful.
Desire which is the main factor of the economic life is guided by the instinct of possession, but the unbridled forces of desire and enjoyment ensnare the human mind and lead it to the path of mad lust for the acquisition of the worldly objects and wealth at the expense of others and finally to the consequent sufferings and unhappiness.
So the unlimited amassing of wealth and its unrestricted enjoyments have not been commended as final in the ethical principles laid down in the Bhs but rather they have been condemned by the saints. So a great emphasis has been put on the principle of non-possession (aparigraha), one of the five great vows of the Nirgrantha Dharma.
Pleasure or happiness is the goal of the material life of man and the ethical ideas are directly and indirectly connected with happiness and physical pleasure which are fulfilled by means of wealth. But beyond the particular point of pleasure or happiness there is harm, because non-pleasure arises. So the quantitative restriction comes to a limit-nivítti (return or ceasing from wordly acts), yama (restraint), 8anyama (self control) and niyama (fixed moral rule). Nature has got a belt and it does not allow men to go beyond that, though goodness is wanted in more quantity. Goodness and badness of a thing are to be
1 Bhs, 9, 33. 384.