History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c14.s5.24

c14.s5.24

A reference in *Tittira Jātaka*⁵ indicates that the early Ājīvikas performed secret magical rites of a repulsive tantric type. The unfortunate Ājīvika is there said by his prosecutor the tiger to have "removed blood at midnight".⁶ The commentary elucidates this cryptic phrase thus: "*Pupphakam* means blood. . . . He cut off the hands and feet of offenders against the king for his living, took them away, threw them into a room, and let the blood run out from the openings of the wounds; going there at midnight he made a heap of red rice-powder."¹ Francis and Neil, in their translation of this *Jātaka* ignore the commentary, and give:—