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JAINISM IN NORTH INDIA were composed with a view to the sacrificial service. They constitute the four Vedas, each Veda haying different Brahmanas, These Brahmanas are generally "marked by narrow formalism, childish mysticism and superstitious talks about all kinds of trifics, such as may be expected where a pedantic and powerful priesthood is invested with unlimited spiritual authority." 2
The Yaşña ceremony was so organised and arranged that by and by it became more and more elaborate and involved, and this required a constant increase in the number of ministrants, all of whom were of necessity Brahmans. Sometimes they went to such an extent that the reverence for the Devas (gods) also perceptibly diminished as they placed themselves on their level.3 Behind the doctrine of the sacrificial service the popular understanding was that " a suitable combination of rites, rituals and articles of sacrifice had the magical power of producing the desued effect-a shower of rain, the birth of a son, the routing of a huge army, etc The sacrifices were enjoined generally not so much for any moral elevation as for the achievement of objects of practical welfare." 4
Thus the social ideal of Brahmans was the unlimited power that hierarchy conferred and the strict separation of castes. Various useful callings were in this rigid society branded as sinful, and men were prevented from withdrawing even from shameful occupations to which birth condemned them Highest claims were made by the Brahmans, and they were also the recipients of the most extravagant privileges This went on to such an extent that even the unlimited authority of the king was considered to be at their service The very religious bent of the ancient Indians was such that the royal priest was an important personage from the very earliest times of which we have any record. Woman was
1 The sacrificial ceremonial at the consecration of a king (Rajastlya), the very common horse-sacrifice (Aśramedha), the proper human-sacrifice (Purushamedha), and the general sacrifice (Sarvamedha) were the most important At these four sacrifices human victims were really offered in ancient times, but as the manncrs grew more gentle this practice began to decline, though not with universal approval, finally it fell into disuse
Tele, op at, 128
• They held “the supreme place of divinity and honour"-of McCrindle, op and loc ont
Dasgupta, op al,1,P 208 Cf also Law, NN, op cit,p 89
"They were divinely appointed to be the guides of the nation and the councillors of the king, but they could not be kings themselves " --LAW, NN, op cat, 45
• Also called Puroht, etymologically meaning "placed in front, appointed" 16
| SR No. | 011067 |
| Book Title | Jainism in North India |
| 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 |