Posted on: 9 February 2015

Digital Rare Book:
History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas, a Vanished Indian Religion
By Arthur Llewellyn Basham
Published by Motilal Banarsidass Publications - 1951

The book presents the history and the Doctrines of the Ajivikas who formed a third heretical sect besides the sect of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and that of Mahavira Vardhamana, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara of the Jainas. The three heterodox sects react against the ritualistic creed of the Vedists. The cult of Ajivikas was founded by Makkhali Gosal, the contemporary of Mahavira Vardhamana, on the basis of strict determinism with a belief in the all-embracing rule of Niyati (principle of order). According to Gosal, It was Niyati which ultimately governed our action, controlled phenomena and left no room for human volition. It will through new height on an interesting and significant aspect of India's past, and will encourage further research.

This book is divided into fifteen chapters discussing elaborately different aspects of the subject matter. The comprehensive Bibliography and Index are the added features for the researchers for comparative as well as further study of yet unexplored areas.

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AJIVIKAS, was a sect, which were allowed to thrive under Asoka's policy of religious tolerance. 300BC. Ajivikas Religion vanished for ever. Ajivikas was founded by Makkhali Gosal, the contemporary of Mahavira Vardhamana, on the basis of strict determinism with a belief in the all-embracing rule of Niyati (principle of order). According to Gosal, It was Niyati which ultimately governed our action, controlled phenomena and left no room for human volition.

Another great work by BashamJi...

Roy Daniels.....heretical sects....

Died out sometime during the 14century around the areas of Karnataka, wonder whether any traces of this sect could be found this day perhaps in some diluted form, any informed guesses.

Ajivkas was dissolved in Jainism in 14th century.

Aparna Rawal something you were reading earlier?

Yea it was something similar. Ty for mentioning :)