________________
( 25 ) Paņi is referred as a Jana. Vipra, the pious man, is not a Jana. We learn from Rgveda that Paņi was an important pre-Aryan Bhārtīya tribe known for its wealth and adventures, in the country and on the wide Seas. They had been annihilated on mass scale by Indra for plunder of their wealth.” Here the word Jana may also refer to Paņi-jana ; the republic of the Paņis when two Janān (men) were exerting themselves against each other, the great diplomat Indra follows the policy of divide and rule and takes the side of one jana (man) and plundering his hostile jana's cattle, gives them over to his associate. Rși Bhārdwāja does not love to give the epithet jana to Indra. Jana is false and useless, Indra is not a false or useless jana. He had slain Chumuri, Dhuni, Pipru, Sambara and Susna. These Dāsas and Dasyus belonging to the Ali race were Janāh whom Indra had slain in battle. They do not represent mere individuals but the large masses of Brahmāryan adversaries. It appears certain that they were the leaders of their respective Janab or republics. Their annihilation refers to the annihilation of their armies and the consequent ruination of their republics.
The Jana (man) who sits, walks, sees us (the Brāhmāryans) of these we (Brahmāryans) shut up the eyes ; they be as unconscious as mansion, is the curse wrought by a Brahmāryan worshipper of Indra. The Brahmāryan magic is also directed against the Bhārtīya Jana who is of diabolical nature, who seeks to do evil to Brahmāryans, may he incur that evil." Asuras have been depicted as possessing diabolical nature in Vedic Samhitās and later Brābmaņical literature. Here Jana has been equated with Asura. Asuras were irresistible heroes. Jana cannot harm the command and rightful empire of Indra." Jana does not mean a single individual here but a plurality of people. Jana
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
