History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c15.s4.35

c15.s4.35

The social status of the remnants of the Northern Ājīvika community seems to have fallen at an early date. By the time of the final composition of the *Vāyu Purāṇa*, which may perhaps be related to the Gupta period,⁶ the Ājīvikas seem to have possessed the humble status of *śūdras*, or even of outcastes. They are described in the *Purāṇa* as being of mixed *varṇa*, a class of workmen, worshipping *piśācas*; but they still seem to be comparatively wealthy, and employ much ill-gotten wealth on their religious ceremonies.⁷