________________
16
Jaina Religion: Its Historical journey of evolution
same (i.e. allowed the elements of Vedic stream or pravartaka dharma into it). Thus, in this age no religious tradition is nurturing pure renunciation (nivstti) or pure action (pravrtti).
A one sided view (ekānta) is neither practically viable nor psychologically acceptable in the context of nivịtti or pravrtti. We must remember that man is a combination of body and spirit, and a social animal; as such any talk of pure renunciation and pure action is just a mirage. Therefore, it is imperative now, to understand reality and try to find a life-style of a desirable combination of both pravịtti and nivịtti, which is for the welfare of both individual and society; and that can give mental solace to man and liberate him from desire-related mental frustration and social fear. Thus, it was necessary for the two different cultures to coalesce. In this attempt Jaina religion alongwith propounding the code of conduct of monks also propounded the Vratas for the householder which are a mix of both pravartaka and nirvartaka dharma.
Such attempts have been going on in India from ancient times. The best examples of this synthesis in Hindusim are the representative scriptures of pravartaka-dharma such as Išāvāsyopanişad and Bhagvadgitā. Both these
ncient Hindusim
are thema such
as
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
