Studies In The Bhagavati Sutra

The book "Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra" by Dr. Jogendra Chandra Sikdar, published by the Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa, Muzaffarpur, in 1964, is a comprehensive analysis of the Bhagavati Sutra (also known as Viyāhapannatti or Vyākhyāprajñapti), the fifth Anga of the Jaina Canon. The author, Dr. Sikdar, dedicated his work to his revered gurus, Late Dr. Prabodh Chandra Bagchi and Dr. Hiralal Jain, highlighting the deep scholarly influence they had on his research.

The book is structured into eleven chapters, each delving into a specific aspect of the Bhagavati Sutra and its significance for understanding ancient Indian history and thought, particularly within Jainology.

Here's a summary of the key themes and findings from the book, chapter by chapter:

Chapter I: Position of the Bhagavati Sutra in the Ardha-Magadhi Canon. Its inter-relation to the other Canonical works. This chapter establishes the Bhagavati Sutra (BhS) as a monumental and encyclopedic work within the Ardha-Magadhi canon, surpassing other Angas in volume and content. It serves as a rich source of information on various aspects of Jaina philosophy and history, offering a comprehensive glimpse into ancient Indian society. The BhS is described as being integrally connected with other canonical works, occupying a high position within the Ardha-Magadhi canon. The author provides a detailed survey of the contents of other canonical works to demonstrate this inter-relation.

Chapter II: Its authorship and date. Examination of the internal and external evidences, such as, linguistic and literary as well as historical. This chapter examines the authorship and date of the Bhagavati Sutra. It discusses the Jaina tradition regarding its compilation through stages, from the teachings of Lord Mahāvīra to its final codification. The author places the date of the BhS and other canonical works between the 6th century BC and the 6th century AD, considering linguistic and historical evidence. The language is identified as Middle-Indo-Aryan, with stylistic origins in prose reflecting the activities of religious teachers in the language of the people.

Chapter III: Political Conditions. This chapter analyzes the political landscape of India during Lord Mahāvīra's time, as reflected in the BhS. It highlights the political disunity and the quadrangular struggle among leading states like Kashi, Kosala, Vaishali, and Magadha, leading to major wars. The book provides insights into polity, administration, systems of government, justice, and inter-state relations, including the concept of Gaṇa-polity. It also discusses the historical data concerning Lord Mahāvīra's life, contemporary kings, clans, and tribes, suggesting he was the son of Devānanda, a Brāhmaṇī.

Chapter IV: Social Conditions. This chapter scrutinizes the social conditions described in the Bhagavati Sutra. It covers the Varna system, Āśramas (stages of life), social structure, family relations, popular beliefs, celebrations of birth and marriage, the position of women, dresses and ornaments, art of decoration, houses and furniture, sports, amusements, manners, and customs. The author notes that while the society was based on the traditional Varnaśrama Dharma, it was not rigidly structured, as evidenced by the racial synthesis of various Indian and foreign nationals.

Chapter V: Economic Conditions. This chapter focuses on the economic aspects reflected in the Bhagavati Sutra. It details agriculture, arts and crafts, labor and capital, industry, trade and commerce, roads and communications, and banking business. The author observes a significant gap between the rich and the poor, with poverty flowing beneath the surface of societal wealth. The study also covers the conception of education, its system, art of writing, language, literature, science, and arts, including biology, astronomy, and military science.

Chapter VI: Education. This chapter delves into the conception and system of education during the period. It highlights that education was based on the unity of thought and action, aiming at self-control, moral character development, and balanced academic and vocational learning, with the ultimate goal of Moksha (liberation). The book discusses the art of writing, language, literature, and various branches of science and arts, including military science and fine arts.

Chapter VII: Various leaders of thought and their philosophical and religious systems mentioned and described in the Bhagavatī Sūtra. This extensive chapter surveys the diverse philosophical and religious systems mentioned in the BhS, including Śramaņa-Nirgrantha Dharma, Ājīvikism (with a detailed account of Gośāla Mańkhaliputra), and other schools like Kriyāvādins, Akriyāvādins, Ajñānavādins, Vinayavādins, Parivrājakas, Vānaprasthas, Carakas, Tirthikas, and the followers of Lord Pārśvanātha and Jamālī. It also touches upon deities, supernatural powers, and elements.

Chapter VIII: Historical data found in the Bhagavati Sūtra and its bearing upon the history of the time. This chapter focuses on the historical information within the BhS, particularly concerning the life of Lord Mahāvīra, his contemporary kings, clans, tribes, and races. It revisits the controversial aspect of Mahāvīra's parentage, suggesting a potential Brāhmaṇa birth based on certain passages, while also acknowledging the Ksatriya lineage and the story of embryo transfer.

Chapter IX: Cosmology, Cosmography and Geography. This chapter analyzes the cosmological and cosmographical descriptions in the BhS, including the classification of beings, the structure of the universe, and geographical details of Janapadas (states), towns, cities, hills, and rivers. It also examines the Gaņa polity as revealed in the text, discussing the republican systems of the Licchavis and Mallakis, their constitutions, and the federal council.

Chapter X: Contribution of the Bhagavatī Sūtra to the evolution of Jaina Philosophical Thought. This chapter highlights the Bhagavati Sutra's contribution to Jaina philosophical thought, covering metaphysics, psychology, epistemology, ethics, logic, the doctrine of Karma, and liberation. It expounds on metaphysical principles, the atomic theory, and the relationship between metaphysics and physics, referencing the six fundamental substances of the universe.

Chapter XI: Value of the Bhagavati Sūtra from the literary, historical and philosophical points of view. The concluding chapter estimates the overall value of the Bhagavati Sutra, emphasizing its literary, historical, and philosophical significance. The author concludes that its value lies in its thought-provoking principles, wisdom-evoking insights into life and nature, and its rational presentation of Lord Mahāvīra's ideas.

In essence, Dr. Sikdar's "Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra" provides a meticulously researched and deeply analytical exploration of this foundational Jaina text. It aims to bridge the gap in understanding the specific historical and philosophical contributions of the Bhagavati Sutra to the broader tapestry of ancient Indian civilization, going beyond general historical surveys to address specific doctrinal and societal details. The book highlights the BhS as a comprehensive repository of knowledge that sheds light on various facets of life in ancient India.