Ajivika is a deterministic philosophy that originated in ancient India. It is believed to have been founded by Makkhali Gosala, a contemporary of the Buddha, in the 5th century BCE. The word "Ajivika" comes from the Sanskrit word "ajiva," which means livelihood or way of life.

The origin of Ajivika can be traced back to the ancient Indian city of Magadha, which is now part of modern-day Bihar. At that time, Magadha was a center of intellectual and religious activity, with many different schools of thought emerging. Makkhali Gosala was a member of the Nigantha Nataputta sect, which was a branch of Jainism. However, he eventually broke away from the sect and formed his own school of thought, which came to be known as Ajivika.

The philosophy of Ajivika is based on the concept of determinism, which means that everything in the universe is predetermined and cannot be changed. This belief was in contrast to the teachings of other contemporary schools of thought, such as Buddhism and Jainism, which emphasized free will and the power of individual actions.

The Ajivikas believed that all living beings are bound by their fate and cannot escape it. They believed that each person is born with a predetermined lifespan and that their actions and choices in life do not have any impact on their ultimate fate. This belief was based on the concept of karma, which is the idea that a person's actions in this life will determine their fate in the next life.

The origin of Ajivika can also be linked to the social and political climate of ancient India. At that time, the society was highly stratified, and people were divided into different castes based on their birth. The Ajivikas rejected this social hierarchy and believed that everyone, regardless of their caste or social status, was subject to the same predetermined fate.

In addition to their belief in determinism, the Ajivikas also had a strong emphasis on asceticism and renunciation. They believed that by renouncing worldly desires and living a simple and austere life, one could achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

In conclusion, the origin of Ajivika can be traced back to the ancient Indian city of Magadha, where Makkhali Gosala founded this deterministic philosophy in the 5th century BCE. The philosophy was based on the concept of determinism, rejection of social hierarchy, and the pursuit of asceticism. Despite its decline in popularity over the centuries, the teachings of Ajivika continue to have an influence on Indian philosophy and culture.