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 85

The Manus and their periods that the disturbed people, finding Vimalavahana superior to them made him their lord Thus, the Svetāmbara version takes it for granted that such a person will hardly belic the hopes of the people who have pinned their faith upon him
Nevertheless, the Vasudevahindi which serves as a prototype of the Svetāmbara version in scveral respects, points to the contractual nature of the origin of kingship more clearly than the Puranic version The work says that the primitive twins, in a state of chaos and confusion resulting from the encroachment of fields and other means of subsistence of one another, find out one Vimalavāhana to be superior to them on account of his superbly well-built body 18 The Mithunas approach him and entrcat, “Noble soul, be our authority in (afflicting) punishment and (conferring) reward, we shall live by your dictate, (for) we are unable to check mutual trespass (by ourselves) and you are capable among us, the living beings. Hence, do favour Thereupon, he promised17 (to act in accordance with their demand) by pronouncing 'Amen' (to their request)"
Thus, in spite of the inadequacy of information from which the Jaina accounts suffer, the very elective nature of the appointment of Vimalavāhana as the first Manu evinces the fact already discussed Moreover, the element of election implies some sort of agreement between the elector and the elected Naturally the Svetāmbara version, which introduces the first Manu as an elected ruler of the contemporary twins, essentially points to the contract theory of the origin of state, and thus, corroborates the Brahmanical and Buddhist sources on this score 18
16 VH P 157, Is 15-19. 17 विमलवाहण अज्जो होहिति णे पमाण णिग्गहा-ऽणुग्गहेसु, तव
संदेसेण वहिस्सामो, न मो वय सत्ता परोप्पराभिभव निवारेउ , तुम पभवसि णे जीविदाण, कुणसु पसायति । ततो तेण "तह" त्ति पडिस्सुय।
-VH P 167 Is 20-22 18, RS. Sharma, op aut. PP 47-62, 56-59