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Society in Jaina Philosophy and Literature
Uttarādhyayanasūtra. It opens the doors for everyone to attain salvation from sorrows. Harikeśī Cāņdāla, a man of very lower caste, assigned duty in cremation places, became a great monk and experienced the path of liberation. The Uttarādhyayana mentions an event of Harikeśī Muni who was denied alms by the brāhmaṇas indulged in performing a sacrificial rite (yajña)." The scene depicted there in a few gāthās is really alarming. Brāhmaṇas having pride of their caste told Harikesī muni-"Where did you come from? You are looking like a ghost; go from here, this food has been prepared only for brāhmaṇas. We cannot give it to you."
Muni was tortured with sticks and whips by the disciples of those brāhmaṇas and expelled from that place." It was really a formidable task to fight with such stubbornness of caste system at that time. Mahāvīra believed in the virtues of a man. He established the importance of virtues in spite of outer colour, caste and creed. As the victory of Harikešimuni over the brāhmaṇa attitude proves this fact. The essence of the chapter 'Harikesiya' of the Uttarādhyayana has been presented in the following words: -
“The effect of penance is clearly visible, while effect of caste is barely seen. ”IS
Caste is not important; the significance of penance is always experienced. A man becomes good or bad by his virtues and behaviour, as mentioned in another chapter of the Uttarādhyayana:
13 Utt: chapter 12.
Vide Utt: chapter 12. 1 Utt 12.37: Sakkham khu dīsai tayo viseso, na disai jāi visesa koi.
