Jainism and Karnataka Culture

SR No.: 011062
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S R Sharma
Publisher: Karnataka Historical Research Society Dharwar
Publication Year: 1940
Total Pages: 263
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 112

fatni'M AND KAŘNĀTAKA CỨLTUŘÈ
way.
“Know by Fama's keen arrows in death thou shalt fall! “And no magical rite the dread doom can forestall.
“When the flames round thy palace leap higher and bigher - "Too late thou digg'st wells to extinguish the fire !”
Thus saying, he tore off Rāvana's upper garment and smote him with it; he scattered the beads of his chaplet upon the ground; he stripped Rāvana's queen of her jewels, and slandered her sorely; he tied her maidens in pairs by the hair of their heads; he snatched off their necklaces and hung them round the necks of the Jaina images; and he defied and insulted Råvaņa in every possible way.
The poor trembling women were frantic with fear, And tried to rouse Rāvaņa. They bawled in his ear“What is the good of thy japa ? Rise, save us from shame;
"Rise quickly and fight for thine ancient good name." But Rävana heard not, nor muscle did move,As fixed as the Pole Star in heaven above. Then a thunderbolt's crash rent the firmament wide; And adown the bright flash did a yakşini glide, And swifty took station at Råvaņa's side,
“I have come at thy bidding,” the visitant said, “ I can lay on the field all thy enemies dead ;"Save Hanumăn, Laxmaņa and Rāma divine, “Who are guarded by might that is greater than mine." “Alas !" answered Rāvana, with spirit depressed,
"If those three remain, what availeth the rest ? "56 This long quotation must serve to show that Paurāņic Jainism was a reflex of Paurāņic Brāhmanism, and no improvement upon the latter except in the mitigation, within certain limits, of the elements of exaggeration. The dominance of ritual over ethics is clearly visible in the picture of Rāvana presented above. The Munivamśābhyudaya of Cidānandakavi, as well as, inscriptions in Coorg, attempt to give a tone of reality to these descriptions by stating, for instance, that the 55 Cf. Ibid., pp. 39-41.