Madanrekha Akhyayika

SR No.: 002639
Original Sutra Author: Jinbhadrasuri
Author: Bechardas Doshi
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1973
Total Pages: 304
Language: Sanskrit, Hindi
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Literature
File Size: 15 MB

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is occupied with the didactic matter relating to the religio-moralistic consequences in accordance with Jainistic outlook on life as and when the occasion arises in the course of the progress of the story. Consequently the social and cultural aspects of life have received but scant attention of the author in the narration.
We bave a reference to the social structure of Varna and Aśrama which is said to have been looked after by the king by a special ordinance in the matter. Dr. A. K. Majumdar has noticed, on the evidence of the Kirtikaumdi, that the state was enforcing the rules of the śāstras relating to the rigours of the caste distinctions; the mingling of the castes, however, did occur, although it was probably confined to the upper three or four of them. 2
While describing the effect of passion on the mind and conduct of king Maņiratha, the poet has utilized a few imageries that give us some idea about a few of the ceremonies or incidents prevalent on the occasion of marriage. Thus, consequent to the holding of the hand of the bride by the bridegroom, the relatives of the bride used to begin to weep in view of the separation of their daughter. The marriage ceremony was performed in the presence of holy fire. The friends of the bride wished her the best of luck by throwing rice grains at the couple. In presence of the elderly persons in her father-in-law's house, a good wife was expected to avoid looking straight into the eyes of the elders, to come forward when they arrive, and to stretch the head-covering skirt of the upper garment (Ojrangika) so as to cover her face.
Children were at times named in view of some of their significant qualities. Thus, the son of Madanarekha was called 'Nami' as the birth of child marked the change of attitude from defiance to submission, on the part of the enemies of his father, king Padmaratha.?
It was not unusual if at times a Jain monk was overpowered by attraction for sense-objects and consequently would grow indifferent to morality, the scriptural instructions, the accumulated power of penance, the fact of his already being formally initiated, and the mystic lore acquired so far; such a monk was deemed to fail not only with reference to
1. MRA, p. 31 (1ff.). 2. CG, p. 334 ; SDKMGSS, pp. 4-7. 3. MRA, P. 46 (3). 4. Ibid., p. 46 (3ff). 5. Ibid., p. 46 (4ff). 6. Op. cit., p. 73, vs. 156 ab ; also SDKMGSS, p. 10. 7. Op. cit., p. 134 (21 ff).