[INDOLOGY] Seven types of ascetics

[Martin Gansten]

In his Bṛhajjātaka, Varāhamihira lists seven types of ascetics 
corresponding to the seven planets: /śākyājīvikabhikṣuvṛddhacarakā 
nirgranthavanyāśanāḥ/. A few centuries later, the commentator 
Bhaṭṭotpala elaborates slightly on these, citing the authorities 
Vaṅkālakācārya (writing in Prakrit) and Satyācārya. These passages are 
discussed in Basham's /History and Doctrines of the Ājīvikas/ (p. 168 
ff., giving the Prakrit author's name as Kālakācārya). I am wondering if 
any further research on these ascetic categories has been published 
after Basham's book, which is now more than 70 years old. In particular, 
I am curious about the categories vṛddha (identified by Bhaṭṭotpala as 
Kāpālikas) and caraka (which he says are cakradharas). All suggestions 
are welcome.

Best wishes,
Martin Gansten
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