History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c23.s1.78

c23.s1.78

*Rajo-dhātu*. Of these there are only thirty-six. They are interpreted by Buddhaghosa as “ places covered with dust, such as shelves and foot-rests ”,² an explanation accepted by Rhys Davids for want of a better. Barua translates as “ celestial, mundane, or passionate grades ”,³ without comment or explanation. Franke suggests the possibility of some connection between this phrase and the *rajo guṇa* of Sāṅkhya philosophy.⁴ The Vedic meaning of the word *rajas*, “ atmosphere,” must not be forgotten as a possible interpretation. The most probable meaning of the phrase seems to us to be “ elements of impurity ”, or perhaps “ of passion ”.