Bhagavana Mahavira and his Relevance in Modern Times

SR No.: 001595
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Narendra Bhanavat, Prem Suman Jain, V P Bhatt
Publisher: Akhil Bharat Varshiya Sadhumargi Jain Sangh
Publication Year: 1976
Total Pages: 236
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, Discourse, & Articles
File Size: 13 MB

Page 192

Insti. Models of State and Govt. in Mahavira's Tradition
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but has been quite close to our modern political mechanism. The Jain sources gives a detailed account of the political order beginning from the emergence of Kingship to the discussion of roles, punishment, rewards, taxes and even diplomacies and war. Before a critical assessment of the political structure that emerged in the Mahavira's tradition could be attempted, it would be appropriate to analyse briefly the nature of the Governmental machinery which existed in those days.
(i) Institution of Kingship :
In the entire political setting the office of the king was placed highly respectful and sacred. King was the main key of the ordered society and the institution of the king was re-inforced by healthy traditions and conventions. The tradition of heredity was generally observed and accordingly the oldest prince, of the king had all the claims of being sworn in as king in succession, but in situations of conflict arising out of rival claiment princes or when both king and the prince had decided to relinquish politics and took 'Dikṣā'. The usual practice was to resolve the conflict either through undergoing different types of tests and the prince who was successful in clearing those tests was enthroned, and in the case of voluntary political exit the sister's son was often preferred to be appointed as the king. But the contemporary Jain literature also gives instances when princes in order to secure kingship sought open battles and even killed their kings. It was therefore often advised to the kings to observe restraint, control and keep a close watch on the ambitious behaviour of their princes. 5
The prince before he could be appointed as king was required to go through a coronation ceremony which was attended to by honoured guests drawn from all walks of life and the prince in their presence was annonated. The sources indicate that Champa, Mathurā, Vārānasi, Srāvastī, Sāketa, Mithilā, Kāpilya, Hastināpura, Rajgrahi were the main capitals where coronation was generally celebrated.6
A comparative study of Jain traditions with that of Hindu traditions reveals that the gap between the two was very marginal and insignificant. They were identical in so far as the need, philosophy, and mode of coronation were concerned, save the