________________
5. JANA-REPUBLICS OF BHÂRATA We have very very briefly dealt with the main motie vating fundamental factors that gave birth to the economic,
social and political institutions of the region. Institution of
Our purpose is not to give a description of Jana
them but only to discover the basic forces underlying them. The present subject has briefly been touched just before but the subject deserves more detailed examination.
The word "Jana” may be traced to Jan in the sense of "to generate, beget, produce, create, cause, to be born".! It carries the sense of consanguinity. Jana means man.' Nay, it means more than that. The word Jana signifies all the living beings. In the composite sense, it means the people or the human race. It is used in the sense to produce, to give birth, to generate. The word, thus, indica:es inseparable relationship with its parent--the human pair or the earth. When a Jana is said to belong to the human race, his blood relationship or consanguinity is intended. It, thus, suggests its affinity to a social system based on matriarchy. When a Jana is referred as a member of the people inhabiting a certain territory ; that suggests his affinity to a political system based on territoriality.
Rgveda describes Jana' as a hostile individual and a hostile institution of the Brāhmaryans. Brāhmaryan Rși curses the Jana (man) who does not present oblation to Mitra and Varuņa, who injures and does them wrong. Āświns are prayed to humble the Jana (man) who makes no ablations but is still respected (perhaps for his wealth) and to take away the life of the Paņi for the pious man. Here
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
