Studies in Jainology Prakrit Literature and Languages

SR No.: 001597
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: B K Khadabadi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 460
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Language
File Size: 22 MB

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96
Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
Missena mānusaltam donham pi khaena nivvānam.
This verse, I would say, contains the quintessence of Jaina ehtics and it may also be said to have borne the generalised form of the Jaina doctrine of Karman. How to explain it to common people or the lay followers? It could best bc donc so by illustrating through narratives the concerned sides of human behaviour at the concrete background of the universe of Jaina ideology with certain cosmographic conceps like the minutely graded, stuffed and named heavenly abodes and hellish regions. And that is what our author does in the passages following thc above-cited quolution.
Lastly, I would take up the Vidyadhara regions and their characteristic life. This aspect of the Jaina cosmographic concept appears to have been formed with a view to adding a romantic element and marvellous sentiment to the Jaina narratives (to the Puranas at the beginning) making them much more interesting and entertaining. To give to this objective a concreto and lively form, the Jaina thinkers appear to have conceived definite number of the Vidyadhara seats in rows on the northern and southern sides of the Vijayardha mountain, with their wonderful names like Meghakulapura, Rathanūpura Cakravalapura ctc., with the besitting names of the Vidyadharas and their consorts like Candavega, Asanivega and Vidyullatā, Meghamala etc., equipped with magical powers like Kāmavidyā, Prajñapti- mahāvidyā etc. In the Vaddarādhane all such details are found in Storcs Nos.2 and 4 and they very well tally with those given in the Tiloya-pannatti.!?
In conclusion, it can be said that behind the minutely graded heavenly abodes, hellish regions and Vidhadhara rows, stuffed with all possible requirements for a concvetc and lively view of cach, in the Jaina cosmography, there appears to have been the need or objective of interpreting and explaining some Jaina dogmatical, metaphysical and cthical principles to the laily through narratives in an interesting and entertaining manner.