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 234

216 Aspects of Bralmanical Influence on the Jaina Mythology in the Brahmanıcal sources, the Varsyas, according to thc MP, are entitled to Doja-hood
Our perusal of the Jaina Puranas shows that the attitude of the Jaina authors towards thc Sūdras is the same as that of the epic-Purānic authors and Smţii-writers It is really remarka. ble that the faith, which had greater regard for Spapalo63 (the son of a Candála and a Brahmanı) than for a Brāhmana, gives the Sūdras the same status in the social set up as has been given to them in the Brahmanical works In all the texts under discussion they are branded as men of mcan acts Their main duty is stated to be the service of the threc higher classes 6. They are not allowed the privilege of sacraments 85 Thus as in the Brahmanical sources, the Sūdras are considered in the Jaina Puranas as incapable of purificatory ntcs and other acts of religious and cultural importance
The Sūdras are divided into two groups of artisans and non-artisans who are further subdivided into touchables and untouchables Among the artisans Jinasena inentions only two by name, viz Rajaka (washerman) and Karttakare (barber?). Beyond this Jinasena says nothing about the various subsections of the mixed castes
Srläñka is possibly the only Jaina author to have supplied a list of some of the principal sub-sections of the different classes Besides the four Varnas, he mentions sixteen mixed castes67 whose description clearly shows that he has based his version principally on the Manusmrti which gives them the same origin as Silanha does Those castes as mentioned by Silanka are (1) Pahānakhattıā (Pradhana-Kşatriya), (11) Pahanavalsa (Pradhāna-Varšya), (11i; Pahāna-suddha (Pradhana-Sūdra), (1v) Ambatta (Ambaştha), (v) Ugga (Ugra), (vi) Nisāa (Neşāda), (v1) Ayoga, (vui) Māgaha (Magadha), (iv) Suā (Sūta), (x) (x) Khatta (Kşattā), (xi) Vadeha (Vardeha), (xul) Candala, (x2) 63 cg Uttará 12 18 84 वण्णत्तयपेसणसमारणु वि
-PMP. V. 10 4. Also see above note 41. 65 Vide above note 21. 66 AP. 16 185-86 87, CMC. p. 39.