History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c22.s2.36

c22.s2.36

With the decline of Niyati in importance the idea of the futility of human effort probably slipped into the background also. Nilakeci seems aware of the doctrine, and counteracts it with the usual argument, that it leads to antinomianism.¹ But Maṇimēkalai states that those who do not wish for destruction (aḻiyal vēṇṭār) will obtain the supremely white birth, and salvation.² This suggests not a mere acquiescence in Destiny, but a definite effort of will on the part of the believer. Indeed it is probable that the rigid determinism of Ājīvika theory never greatly affected Ājīvika practice, and that its influence on day-to-day life was negligible.