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 203

IDEALISM AND REALISM
159
which are of the usual exogamous character. The names of all these have not been ascertained, but those of twelve of them are as follows : (I) Bangara, (2) Nandara, (3) Mūlara, (4) Hemmaña, (5) Sālu, (6) Kabru, (7) Goļi, (8) Nāyar, (9) Seţți, (10) Basruvogaru, (11) Balasanna, and (12) Karmanaya.” 115
The Bogāra sub-division of the Jainas, who are at present found in the Bellary and Belgaum districts, are chiefly workers in brass ; they cannot inter-marry with the others though they may dine with them. 116 This is in fact the chief barrier which divides the various sub-castes of the Jainas, noticed above, from one another; justisfying the observation of Smith that though the teaching theoretically condemns caste, “in practice the modern Jaina is as fast bound as his Hindu brother in the iron fetters of caste.” 117 Buchanan has pointed out that the Jainas of Tuļuva do not admit that any Śūdras belong to their sect; but the office of Purohita is in the hands of the Brāhmaṇas alone.118 Thurston also says, that, in the Tamil country, an ordinary layman cannot become an Arcaka; it is a class apart and they do not have marriage relations with laymen.119 In the Kannada districts, even the Caturthas and the Pancamas do not inter-, marry, although they are qually classed among the Sūdras.
The origin of the Pancama class is generally attributed to their excommunication on account of widow-marriage ; but it does not seem unlikely that some at least among them might have been converts to Jainism from the Hindu caste of untouchables at a time when Jainism was still in its pristine condition. 120 The survival of original distinctions, habits, customs and institutions, even after formal conversion from faith to faith have been already illustrated in this chapter ; but we might add one more instance to enforce the same conclusion.
115 Sturrock, op. cit., p. 162 116 Cf. Bellary Gasetteer I. p. 64; Belgaum, Bom. Gaz, XXI, p. 102. 117 Smith, op. cit., p. 54. 118 Buchanan, op. cit. III, p. 412. 119 Thurston, op. cit. pp. 432-33. 120 Dharwar, op. cit., pp. 116-17.