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 181

İDEALISM AND REALISM
137
humanity in its struggle for emancipation. “In the case of the wise ones”, says Kundakunda, "moved by pity, they help the struggling souls to emancipation." He also explains, “If any one, moved at the sight of the thirsty, the hungry and the miserable, offers them relief out of pity, then such behaviour of that person is love or charity." 31 Such a humane message was certainly needed by the 'blood-thirsty Márawar' who shot arrows at innocent travellers' merely to feast their eyes over the quivering limbs of their helpless victims'; and the early Tamils who “considered it an honour and a virtue in a military man to carry off the people's wives, to devastate the enemy's fields, to destroy their houses and to lift the cattle of neighhouring tribes." 32
The social organisation of the Jainas was designed to carry out in practice the ideals briefly indicated above. They only showed their practical good sense when they divided their community into two sections, viz., the Yatīs and the Śrāvakas. The former were the ascetics and the latter the lay community. The Buddhists had a similar organisation of monks and laymen; but, as Smith has pointed out, they relied more on the Samgha of ordained friars than on the laity. 33 Among the Jainas the relation between the two sections was more balanced ; and hence their social equilibrium was stable. 34 As in the case of the Aśramas or four stages, viz., Brahmacarya, Grhasta, Vānaprastha, and Sanyāsa of the Brāhmaṇas, the difference between the Jaina Yatis and Srāvakas was one of stages. Literally, the Yati was one who strove (TX - to strive) and the Srāvaka, one who listened ( - to hear). The one struggled actively for emancipation; the other tried to follow by acting up to his teachings, so far as he could, within the limits imposed
29 Pancastikaya-sära, S, B. J. III, vv. 146, 147. 30 Kanakasabhai Pillai, The Tamils 1800 Years Ago, pp. 233-34. 31 Pancastikaya-sära, S. B. J. III, vv. 143, 144. 32 Cf. Ch. X a. 15 above; S'rinivasa Aiyangar, Tamil Studies, p. 194. 33 Smith, op. cit., p. 52.
C. Stevenson, op. cit., p. 67; Maododell, op. cit., p. 70. J.E.C.2628-18