Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c14.6

c14.6

But such a social order was now threatened by the growth of heterodox and proselytising sects like Jainism, Buddhism, and many others mentioned in the literature of the times [See writer's *Hindu Civilization*, pp. 222-26], which were threatening its foundations by organising brotherhoods of ascetics (*pravrajita*). Accordingly, we can well understand why Kauṭilya, as the champion of the Brahminical system, does not at all look with favour upon premature renunciation of the world and of the obligations of domestic life without the formal sanction of legal authorities (cf. *āprichchhya dharmasthān* in II. 1) and without provision for son and wife (*putradāram apratividhāya*) [*Ib.*]. He even forbids giving any quarter in the villages to such unlicensed ascetics for fear of disturbance to rural society (*na janapadaṁ upaniviśeta*) [*Ib.*].