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