Aspects of Brahmanical Influence On Jaina Mythology

SR No.: 011037
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shaktidhar Jha
Publisher: Bharat Bharti Bhandar
Publication Year: 1978
Total Pages: 315
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 12 MB

Page 107

Dynastic Lists and Genealogical Accounts
Except this meagre and incidental information, the Jaina canonical texts state nothing about the genesis and genealogy of these families However, of the above seven classes the Ugrala, Bhoga, Kaurava and Ikṣvāku are celebrated in the Brahmanical tradition as pretty old tribes of Aryan origin
So far as the meaning of the terms Ugra, Bhoga, Kuru, Rajanya and Ksatriya is concerned, the Jaina Puranic works have sought to offer different fanciful explanations in their own ways The Harivamsa-Purana of Jinasena II, for instance, says that the rulers of the Kuru country were called Kurus, those, who were of cruel administration, were styled Ugras, others were named Bhojas on account of their judicious protection of the masses, similarly, those, lovingly disposed towards the subjects became (known as) Rajans (Rājanyas), and those, who were appointed to protect the people from peril, were called Ksatriyas. Hemacandra, on the other hand, states 'the Ugras were the guardsmen, appointed to give cruel punishments, the Bhogas were the ministers etc of the Master, like the Trayastrimsas of Hari. The Rajanyas were the companions
89
4a In the Taittiriya Brahmana (385) Ugras find mention as a particular class of Ksatriyas who were not entitled to rule, while those fit for administration are said to have been called Rajaputras These Rajaputras compare well with the Jaina Rajanyas who are said to have been appointed by Rşabha to rule judiciously
5 कुरव कुरुदेशेशा उग्रास्ते चोग्रशासना ।
न्यायेन पालनाद् भोजा प्रजानामपरे मता ॥ राजानश्च तथैवान्ये जाताः प्रकृतिरञ्जना |
प्रजानां रञ्जनाच्चैव राजानस्त्वभवन्नृपा
-JHV 9 44-45a, cf
-Vayn P 57 58b
6 क्षत्रिया क्षततस्त्रारणात् '
क्षताच्च नस्त्रायतीति स तस्मात् क्षत्रिय स्मृत. "
क्षतात् किल त्रायत इत्युदग्र क्षत्रस्य शब्दो भुवनेषु रूढ
-JHV 9 39.
MBh 12 29 130,
Raghuvamsa, II 58a