Yasastilaka and Indian Culture

SR No.: 001609
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Krishnakant Handiqui
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 566
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Story, Literature, & Culture
File Size: 16 MB

Page 50

2. SYNOPSIS OF YASASTILAKA
31
After quoting some verses attributed to different poets, and containing reflections on Pāmarodāra's character, the spy represents him as an enemy of religion. He misappropriates money donated for the worship of the gods, and breaks or melts down valuable idols and replaces them by others of lesser value. Sometimes he would sell an idol, and, with the proceeds, celebrate a religious festival. It is also his habit to rob people by employing the methods of thugs, and give the money to worthy Brāhmanas. Besides, he confiscates villages and property endowed for the purpose of maintainiag the worship of the gods":
देवदविणादाता देवद्रोहाच्च देवनिर्माता । अहह खरः खलु संप्रति धर्मपरः पामरोदारः ॥ 3. 227. विक्रीय देवं विदधाति यात्रां तदालनादेष परांश्च देवान् ।
You to tyfaccia gri gagnàyu: 1 3. 235. अग्रहारग्रहः साक्षाद्देवभोगभुजंगमः । शिष्टविष्टपसंहारप्रलयानलमानसः ॥ 3. 236.
Crime and irreligion play their part in a more serious charge brought against the minister. The latter had employed five Candālas, knowing them to be such, in his household for cooking and drawing water; but this violation of the caste-rules gave rise to a scandal, and one night he murdered them all while they were fast asleep. When it was suggested by some distinguished person that he should perform purificatary rites to expiate the crime, he ridiculed the idea by putting forward heterodox opinions, commonly associted with the Cārvākas:
रविरश्मिरत्नपावकमाहेयीवायवोऽन्त्यजैः स्पृष्टाः । न हि दुष्टास्तद्वदहं प्रकृतिशुचिर्मालमध्येऽपि ॥ आत्मा स्वभावशुद्धः कायः पुनरशुचिरेष च निसर्गात् । प्रायश्चित्तविधानं कस्येति विचिन्त्यतां जगति ॥ वर्णाश्रमजातिकुलस्थितिरेषा देव संवृतिनान्या। परमार्थतश्च नृपते को विप्रः कश्च चाण्डालः। 3.232-4
“The rays of sun, jewels, fire, cows and air are not polluted when touched by Cāņdālas. Similarly, being pure by nature, I could not be contaminated even in the midst of Cāņdālas. The soul is pure by nature, while the body is naturally impure. Think over the matter. To whom, in the world, does the process of purification apply? Sire, the regulation of castes and orders of society and birth and family is a matter of convention and nothing more. In reality, o king, there is neither Brāhmana nor Cāņņāla."
Further charges against Pāmarodāra are contained in a verse which describes the harm done by the minister to certain schola He destroyed the livelihood of a scholar named Tridasa, and caused financial loss to (the poet) Kohala. He insulted the poet Ganapati, and brought about the ruin of ( the scholar) Samkara. He outraged the religious
1 See Chap. V.