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 231

Institution of Class and Order
213
created the Varsyas from his thighs46, and just from (his) feet, the wise created the Sūdras (who were) devoted to the contemptuous mode of life 47 And ascribing the origin of the Brahmanas to the first Cakrin, the work says that Bharata, while teaching the Săstra, will create the Donjas (the twice-born) from his mouth €8
Besides the above statements with regard to the origin of the Varnas we also meet with other versions on the origin, number and nature of the Varnas during Rşabhadeva's reign Silārka, for example, refers to only two classes of people as having been created by the Lord The CMC states that the single human race was divided into two by the Lord 49 Those, who stood surrounding the Lord, were Kşatriyas (Khattıyas) also called Rajans and the remaining were the masses (Payatıloo= Prakrtilokah) 50
Hemacandra, although referring to the respective duties of the different Varnas, 61 does not ascribe the creation of the classes, especially of the Varsyas and the Sūdras62 to Rşabha Instead, he is accredited with the division of the Ksatriyas into the distinct famılıcs called Ugra, Bhoga, Räjanya and Kşatra 58 Those, who were made incharge of superintendence and were invested with the authority of punishing the lawbreakers, were called Ugras , those, who were appointed to the post of
46 3567AT TETTEL AT THarete afus
-Iord 16 2442 47 न्यग्वृत्तिनियतान् शूद्रान् पट्यामेवासृजत् सुधी ।
-Ibid 16 245a. 48 Vide above note 28 40 एगा मणुस्मजाई दुहा विहत्ता भगवया ।
CMC, p 39 80 Ibsd p 39 51 TSPC 1 2 34-88 52 However, the four Varnas together with two mixed castes, viz Ambas
the and Magadha, find mention as acknowledged social institutions
-Ibid 2 6 232 53 TSPC, 1 2 974 84, Ibıd , 1 2 975a