Jain Journal 1983 10

SR No.: 520072
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1983
Total Pages: 35
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 17

Yatis and Vratyas
J. C. SIKDAR
(from the previous issue)
Classification of the Vratyas
The Pancavimsa Brāhmaṇa makes mention of the following classes of the Vratyas, viz. Kanisthas50 or Hinas, the libidinous class who did not observe brahmacarya (continence), or carried on agriculture or trade, 51 but deteriorated "by staying in Vrati settlement.52 They were further sub-divided into two classes, viz. the Arhantas (saints) and Yaudhas (warriors) probably corresponding to the Sramanas and Ksatriyas. 53 The Arhant class of the Vratyas consisted of the Sadhakas and Sadhus (practiser of austerity and ascetics) as is clearly indicated by the connotation of the word 'Arhant'. It is to be noted that the word 'Arhant' is used for the Jaina Tirthankaras or the Buddha of the Sramanic tradition to which the Jainas and the Bauddhas belong. So it can be suggested that there was a close relation of the Sadhakavarga (ascetic class) of the Vratyas with the Sramanic tradition as is indicated by this word 'Arhant'. The Yaudha class of the Vratyas was the Rajanyavarga corresponding to the ruling caste of the Aryan community. Another class of the Vratyas was the Garagira (swallowers of poison) "to whom commoners' victuals taste like Brahmana's food, who though not consecrated, speak the tongue of the consecrated and yet call what is easy of utterance difficult to utter."54 That is to say, Sanskrit was not their dilect, so it appeared difficult for them to pronounce Sanskrit learnt by them under the influence of the Vedic Aryans. This particularity is not only marked in the case of the Garagira Vratyas but is found in the case of the general class of the Vratyas. Another class of the Vratyas was represented
50 Pancavimsa Brahmana, XVII. 3.2.
51 Ibid., XVII. 1.2.
52 Dr. D. R. Bhandarkar, Some Aspects of Ancient Indian Culture, p. 39.
53 See Pancavimsa Brahmana, XVII. 52-53; cf. XVII. 1.2.
54 Pancavimsa Brahmana, XVII. 1.9.