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Sumati-Jñāna castes in all following the faith were present during the beginning of the 19th century AD in Vidarbha.
Aurangabadkar then gives the legend that Jaina religion earlier flourished like Brahmanism. Some jati (sanskrit Yati) amongst the Jainas followed the sacraments and rituals of the Brahmanism. God (lśvara) considering this as an abuse and through his incarnation in the form of Sankarachārya defeated him. Then Jainas turned to the status of the vaisyas and the Sūdras and split into a number of castes. They neither eat together nor marry amongst themselves.
The marriage ceremony is then given in details, which need not be described here. Eating before sunset, not drinking water while eating, not talking during meals are some customs which were followed then. A typical practice of beating the thālī (metal plate) is described here. The reason is not clearly stated. Observation of strict fasting is also mentioned even water was not allowed and cleaning the mouth was prohibited.
Thus, a vivid and interesting picture of the Jainas of Vidarbha region is, no doubt, unveiled through these sources.
REFERENCE 1. Gupta, Chandrashekhar, Prachina Vidarbha:Aitihasika Bhaugolika Pristhabhumi, Vishva-Bharati Prakashana, Nagpur, 1996, pp. 5, 7 ff. 2. Gadre, Prabhakar (ed.) Purva Vidarbhatila Vivaha-1823 by Vinayakrao Aurangabadkar, VishvaBharati Prakashana, Nagpur, 1999, pp. 17-20.
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