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MARRIAGE IN JAINA LITERATURE*
Marriage Defined
Jainism
ainism is one of the most ancient religions of India. It teaches that the soul is perfect, happy and all-powerful, but it is in bondage to matter consequently, by transmigration it undergoes all sorts of suffering. The acts of Raga (Love) and Dueṣa (Aversion), which it performs through the Yoga (vibration or impulse) of mind, speech and body, attract to it a subtle Karmic matter that causes its various conditions. Hence in Jainism, marriage is one of the results of these Karmas.' In consequence of the 'conductdeluding karma' (cāritramohaniyakarma), the couples are tempted to marry. As the said Karma operates in the individuals, their sensual desire is awakened and they get united.
Marriage in the Bhogabhūmi
The Jaina Purāṇas corroborate this. In the beginning of the present Kalpa, there existed the Bhogabhūmi in Bharatakṣetrā,3 and men and women were born in couples. After their birth, the parents breathed their last and then the couples, who in the meantime had gained youth, lived as husband and wife. This is a simple but natural love in consequence of the operation of the Caritra-moha.
* By courtesy: The Indian Historical Quarterly, Vol V. pp. 146ff. 1 Vide "The Jaina Gem Dictionary," p. 57.
2. "Caritramohodayāt vivahanam Vivāhaḥ-The Rājavārtika. 3. "Bhogabhūmi-The regions where there is enjoyment only. i.e.. people do not have to work for their sustenance, and the arts of agriculture etc. are neither necessary nor known. All that the people want, they get from the wishing-trees called Kalpavṛkṣas.",-The Jaina Gem Dictionary, p. 35. 4. The Mahāpurāṇa, 3, sls, 14-239. 5 Ibid., 44ff.
