Jain Journal 1983 07

SR No.: 520071
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1983
Total Pages: 47
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 32

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10
ཋ ོ ཌ ྋ ཋ ཋ
Thus there are found various meanings of the word 'vratya' in the Commentary of the Atharvaveda, whereas its meanings in the Smṛtis and Purānas are contrary to the aforesaid meanings or sometimes derogatory. It should be noted that the eulogy of the Vratya has been made throughout the fifteenth kända of the Atharvaveda. Here Vratya has been depicted in a manner that he has become a great god (Mahādeva)11 like the Brahman of the Upanisad or the highest Godhood. According to Sulikopanisad12, Vratya is one of the many forms of the Brahman as depicted in the Atharvaveda. That is to say, in the Atharvaveda the word 'vratya' is related to Godhood 'paramesvara' probably because of (1) his being the leader of the samuha or jana, (2) of his observance of all religious vows and rules properly and (3) of his being the benefactor to the people.
In this way all the meanings of the word 'vratya' are connoted to relate to God. It is indicated here that the account of God in the first Paryaya Sukta of the fifteenth kända of the Atharvaveda has been started with the word 'vratya'.13 This Vratya sent Prajapati,14 the prajapalaka God, the latter saw the golden soul, so he created the universe.15 That is to say, here Vratya has been glorified as the great God.
11
Again, in the fifteenth kända of the Atharvaveda Vratya has also been eulogized as a roving Vedic priest travelling in different non-Aryan lands and converting the people of those regions to Vedic or Brahmanical
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JAIN JOURNAL
(3) The protector of samuha (collection of people) or lord of samūha is a Vratya.
13
(4) One who is dedicated to vrata (vow) and active in its observance, ascetic, careful in the performance of religious customs and rules, observer of vows like chastity, etc. is a Vratya.
14
(5) One who is a traveller or wanderer (vrajati iti vratya asya tah), parivrājaka (roving ascetic), sannyāsin (monk), upadesaka (instructor), wandering religious teacher imparting holy teachings by travelling to different lands,10 is a Vratya.
Ibid.
sa mahadevo abhavat, Atharvaveda, 15. 1. 4.
Vide Harvard Oriental Series, Vol. VIII, p. 769.
vratya asidiyamana eva sa prajapatim samairayat, Atharvaveda, 15. 1.
Ibid.
15 sa prajapatih suvarnamatmannapasyat tat prajanayat, Ibid., 15. 2.