Jaina Philosophy Historical Outline

SR No.: 006569
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Narendra Nath Bhattacharya
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publisher's Pvt Ltd New Delhi
Publication Year: 1976
Total Pages: 242
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

Page 103

82 Jain Philosophy in Historical Outline
savings are a large treasure. Then at another time his heirs divide it, or those who are without a living steal it, or the king takes it away, or it is ruined in some way or other, or it is consumed by the conflagration of the house." This reveals how thoroughly the characteristics of class society had been observed by the Master who said: "Then, after a time, he falls in sickness: those with whom he lives together, first grumble at him, and he afterwards grumbles at them. But they cannot help thee or protect thee, nor canst thou help them or protect them." In the Suyagada, the problem is stated more explicitly. "He who owns even a small property in living or lifeless things, or consent to others holding it, will not be delivered from misery."3
There is no need of multiplying such examples by which the pages of the Jain sutras are filled Those who are in the top of the class society, the ruling class often justify their craving of power in the name of public welfare, national prestige, etc. In the dialogue between Sakra and Nami, as we find it in the Uttaradhyayana Sutra, we have a nice expression of the conflict between the ideals of class society and state power on the one hand and those of the simple undifferentiated life. The dialogue runs as follows.
Sakra: Erect a wall, gates and battlements; dig a mote; construct Sataghnis (an instrument for defending a town); then you will be a Kṣatriya.
Nami: Making Faith his fortress, Penance and Self-control the bolt it (of its gate), Patience its strong wall, so that guarded in three ways is impregnable; making Zeal his bow, its string Carefulness in walking (iriva), and its top (where the string is fastened) Content, he should bind (this bow) with Truth, piercing with the arrow, Penance (the foe's) mail, Karman-(in this way) a sage will be the victor in battle and get rid of the Samsara.
Sakra: Build palaces, excellent houses, and turrets; thus you will be a Ksatriya.
Nami: He who builds his house on the road, will certainly get into trouble; whenever he wants to go, there he may take up his lodgings.
Sakra: Punishing thieves and robbers, cut-purses and burglers, you should establish public safety; thus you will be a Ksatriya.
'I. 2.3.5; SBE, XXII, pp. 19-20.
21. 2.4.1; SBE, XXII, p. 21. "I. 1.2; SBE, XLV, p. 235. "IX: 18-62.