Canonical Literature Of Jainas

SR No.: 022774
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: H R Kapadia
Publisher: Hindi Granth Karyalay
Publication Year: 1941
Total Pages: 286
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 26 MB

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THE CANONICAL LITERATURE OF THE JAINAS
[CHAP,
178, 2) is found in the Jātaka Nr. 539 g. 125 and has a parallel in the Uttarajjhayana (IX), a work about which Prof. Winternitz remarks: "from a literary point of view perhaps the most interesting book”. The legend of King Nami where the ascetic ideal is contrasted with that of the ruler and the warrior is noted by Jarl Charpentier in Studien zur indischen Erzählungsliteratur I, Paccekabuddhageschichten (Uppasala, 1908) and 2. D. M. G. (vol. LXVI, 38ff.). Ajjhayana XII has a counterpart in the Mātangajātaka Nr. 497 as shown by Charpentier in Z. D. M. G. (vol. LXIII, 171 ff.), whereas the legend of Citta and Sambhūta occurring in ajjhayana XIII has been long ago compared with Jātoka Nr. 498 by Prof. Leumann.'
Ascetic Literature - This is the terminology coined by Prof. Win. ternitz, in view of his having noticed in Bauddha texts? Samanas and Brāhmanas, and in Asoka inscriptions Samana-bambhana and on finding Megasthenes making a clear distinction between Brāhmaņas and Śramanas. He notes the following characteristic features of this literature in The Jainas in the His. of Ind. Lit. (p. 145):
"It disregards the system of castes and āśramas; its heroes are, as a rule, not gods and Rsis, but kings or merchants or even Sūdras. The subjects of poetry taken up by it are not Brāhmaṇic myths and legends, but popular tales, fairy stories, fables and parables. It likes to insist on the misery and sufferings of Sanısāra, and it teaches a morality of compassion and Ahimsā, quite distinct from the ethics of Brahmanism with its ideals of the great sacrificer and generous supporter of the priests, and its strict adherence to the caste system.”
The ballad of King Nami (Uttara IX) and the legend of Citta and Sambbūta (XIII) are specimens of the ascetic literature3. 1 See Wiener Zeitschrift für die Kunde des Morgenlandes (V, 111 fl.; VI, I ff.). 2 In Jaina works, too, we come across Samana and Bambhana (vide Si
yagada I, 6, 1; II, 6, 4 & 12), and Lord Mahāvīra himself is at least four times addressed as Bambhana. Vide the ending verse of each of the
4 uddesas of Ayāra (IX). 3 Many pieces of ascetic poetry are found in the Mahābhārata, specially
in its XIIth parvan. Out of them may be singled out the beautiful itihāsa-samväda of Jājali and Tulādhāra (261-264) where Tuladhāra, the shopkeeper of Benares, teaches the Brāhmaņa Jājali, 'the eternal religion of love'. For other instances see The Jainas in the His. of Ind. Lit, (pp. 145-146 ).