Jainism in North India

SR No.: 011067
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Chimanlal J Shah
Publisher: Longmans Green and Compny London
Publication Year: 1932
Total Pages: 66
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 3 MB

Page 186

JAINISM IN ROYAL FAMILIES substitution of Ajuvikas and Nirgranthas, both of whom, as already sccn, can be distinguislicd from the Samgha As to the attitude of Asoka towards Jainism, or in fact towards any such other faith, it is indicated in the following words. "All men are my children. As on my behalf of (my own) chuldren I desire that they may be provided with complete welfare and happiness in this and in the other world, even so is my desire on behalf of all men."1 Likewise, more specifically, he states. "In the same manner I am directing my attention to all classes. And all the sects have been honoured by me with honours of various kinds." 2 Asoka had his Dharma-Nahamatra in the north as well as in tlic south" to supervise Buddhists, Brahmanas and Ajuvikas, Nirgrantha and other sects." 3 His non-sectarian policy is perhaps nowhere better in evidence than in the following: "Whosoever," says the Emperor," praises his own sector blames other sects-all (this) out of devotion to his own sect--if he is acting thus, he rather injures his own sect very severely." 4 Speaking of the Barabar cave insa iptions Smith writes : * These records are chiefly of interest as a decisive proof that Asoka was sincere in his solemn declaration that he honoured all sects." 5 Tlus is no less true of Asoka's other inscriptions, and although we have no direct evidence as to the state of Jainism in North India under his benevolent rule, the above observations at least serve to reveal the attitude of Candragupta's greatest successor towards the religion he himself had adopted--at least in the evening of his glorious career, if not earlier. Our hypothesis of the hereditary influence of this to adition is also supported by the conversion of Asoka's grandson, Samprati, by Suhastin to the Jaina faith Before entering into any further discussion about Samprati's enthusiasm for Jainism it may be seen who were the successors of Asoka. Unfortunately, to quote Dr Raychaudhuri, "No Kautilya or Megasthenes has left any account of the later Mauryas It is impossible to reconstruct & detailed history of Asoka's successor from the scanty data furnished 1 Separate Rock Edicts Jaugada, I (FG), II (EF), of Hultzsch, op. cu, PP 114-117 Delhi-Topra Pillar Edict VI (DE), cf Hultzsch, op at ,p 129, Int , xlviu. Iord , Int, Gimar Rock Edict XII (H), of Hultzsch, op al, p 21 Smith, op cit, p 177 C Hultzsch, op cit, Int , p xyz 6 C Jacobi, Parsish laparvan, p 60, Bhandarkar, op cu, P 185 148