[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Religion and philosophy](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion) › [History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.basham-1951) › c17.s2.2 # History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c17.s2.2 History and Doctrines of the Ājīvikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c17.s2.2 - **Language:** English ### [c17.s2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.basham-1951.c17.s2.2) The relevant verse in Varāhamihira's \*Bṛhajjātaka\* states that ascetics of various orders are born under the influence of four or more powerful planets occupying a single astrological house. According to the dominant planet of the group, so will the child become an ascetic of one or other order.¹ Varāhamihira mentions seven types of ascetic, with the heavenly bodies under whose influence they are born; seven categories are further defined by Utpala, as follows:— - [Previous: c17.s2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.basham-1951.c17.s2.1) - [Next: c17.s2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.basham-1951.c17.s2.3) - [Up: c17.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.basham-1951.c17.s2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.basham-1951.c17.s2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.religion.basham-1951.c17.s2.2) · Pramāṇa