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 274

258 Aspects of Brahmanical Influence on the Jaina Mythology Gita-discourse on the three disciplines. The Yogins are referred to as having taken upon themselves the vows82 of Ahimsa (noninjury), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacarya (continence), Vimuktatā (spirit of detachment) and Ratryabhojana (abstention from taking meal during night) Now, it is obvious that with the exception of the sixth element all the five qualities are counted among the Taugic yamas,93 and find mention in the Gitā as the essential virtues to be cultivated by a man of discernment Similarly, the qualities regarded as adjuncts of meritorious meditation are also not unknown to the Gitā These are, for example, Kşamā (forgiveness), Mārdapa (humility),
Arjada (straightforwardness), Satya (truthfulness), Sauca (purity), tapas (austerity), Tyāga (renunciation), Akiñcanza (indifference to all possessions), Samyama (control of the senses) and Brahmacarya (celebacy) 04
Although an emphasis on the cultivation of these and similar other virtues has been the common concern of both the religions, yet the exact agreement between the ideas, expressions and phrascologies occurring in the Gitā and in the Jaina texts goes a long way to prove indebtedness of the latter to the former To quote a few examples, the Jaina Yogins, as described by Jinasena, were free from (the desire of the fruits of) all undertakings, egoism and objects of enjoyment 05 Their all desires being destroyed by the feeling of contentment, they moved about freely,98 and engaged in the study of the scriptu
92 HTA THEAT agi fantata! रात्र्यभोजनषष्ठानि व्रतान्येतान्यभावयन् ।
-MP 84 189 Compare Gitā XVI 1-3, which enumcrate divinc virtucs, regarded as
conducive to one's libcration 93 Yogasutra of Patafijalı 1 2. Also see Agnipurāna-A Study, pp 220-21 94 MP 36 157-58 Gita VI 10 14, XVI 1-3 95 gafcenfaforafatit fait facafenet i
MP. 84 171a. 98 सन्तोषभावनापास्ततृष्णा. सन्तो विजहिरे ।
-Ibid , 34 173b,