Studies in Jain Literature

SR No.: 001868
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 114
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Story
File Size: 14 MB

Page 103

BHAGAVADGĪTĀ AND UTTARADHYAYANASUTRA A COMPARATIVE ASPECT
BG most probably there was a strong body of opinion even amongst Vedic Hindus which revolted against dravyayajñas especially yajñas involving slaughtering of animals. Hence this commendation-praise-of jñānayajña.
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Uttară denounces Vedic sacrifices. The verse (Ch. 25. 30) cited above to illustrate the Jain attitude towards and attack on Vedas also illustrates the hostility of the Jains towards Vedic sacrifices. Jainism prescribes ahimsā (noninjury to living beings) as the first and foremost of the five mahāvratasfundamental or basic vows. Every follower of Jain dharma must observe this vow by abstaining from injury to living beings in thought, word or deed, together with its causal and permissive variations. With such emphasis on ahimsa, the Jain attitude towards dravyayajñas, especially sacrifices involving the slaughtering of animals, is found to be one of bitter hostility. The legend of Harikeśa (Ch. 12) is a splendid example of the Jain attitude towards Vedic sacrifice and incidentally towards untouchability. It may briefly be related here:
Near the river Gangā lived a caṇḍāla tribe. Harikeśa, belonged to this tribe. In the course of time he became a Jain monk. In the course of his vihara (wanderings) he once stayed in the Tinduga-grove near Vārāṇasī. Its presiding deity, a Yakṣa, became his ardent follower. One day Bhadrā, King Kausalika's daughter, came to the Yakṣa's shrine and paid homage to the idol. But seeing the dirty monk, she detested him. The Yakṣa to punish her for her want of respect for the holy monk, possessed her. No physician could cure her madness. The Yakṣa said, she would recover only if she were offered as bride to Harikeśa, the monk. The king agreed, Bhadra became sound as before and went to the monk to choose him as her husband. He of course refused her. She was then married by the king to his Purohita.
Once on his begging tour, he approaches the enclosure of the Purohita's Vedic sacrifice. The priests refuse him food. The Yakṣa intervenes on the monk's behalf, he scolds the Brāhmaṇas for their arrogance, calls them only the bearer of words of the Vedas. Thereupon many young people, instigated by the Brāhmaṇa priests, beat the sage with sticks. Bhadra then appears on the scene and appeases the angry youngsters telling them of his greatness as a holy monk who had refused to marry her. The Yakṣa's followers then remaining invisible beat severely the youngsters. Bhadrā speaks again, and asks them not to beat a monk on his begging tour and to save their life to prostrate themselves before the great monk. The Brahmana (together with his wife) requests the sage to forgive them. He offers him food. The monk accepts food after having fasted a whole month. The gods in heaven were delighted and praised the gift: "The