History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c17.s6.4

c17.s6.4

The last reference known to us in Sanskrit literature occurs in the *Jātaka-pārijāta*, the work of the astrologer Vaidyanātha Dīkṣita, who was probably born *c.* 1425-50.⁵ He declares that the *Jīvaka*, according to the lexicographers a legitimate synonym of Ājīvika,⁶ is born in the same astrological conditions as those stated by Varāhamihira,⁷ under the influence of four or five planets, with that of Mercury dominant.⁸ Like Varāhamihira he gives a catalogue of seven types of ascetic: the *Vānaprastha*, an ascetic dwelling in forests and mountains; the *Vivāsas*, habitually naked; the *Bhikṣu*, an *ekadaṇḍin* and a great soul wise in Upaniṣadic lore; the *Caraka*, one who wanders to many lands; the *Śākya*, a *yogī* of evil habits; the *Guru*, honoured and of royal fortune; and the *Jīvaka*, fond of food and talkative.⁹