________________
सचित्र उत्तराध्ययन सूत्र
पंचविंश अध्ययन [ 316]
PANCHVIMSH ADHYAYAN:
YAJNIYA
Foreview
The title of this chapter is Yajniya or True Sacrifice. This chapter mainly deals with the description of yajnas (ritual offerings or sacrifices).
Brahmin or Vedic culture in India has its origin in polytheism and yajna (ritual sacrifice or offering). Yajnas were performed in order to appease gods, including those of fire, water and death, as well as to fulfill one's wishes. Brahmins and sages of Vedic tradition habitually made these pronouncements-Want a son, perform yajna", "wish to reach heaven, perform yajna".
During the period of Bhagavan Mahavir such yajnas were frequent and wide spread. Elaborate yajnas were performed and thousands of animals were burnt alive in sacrificial fires. Brahmins felt proud becoming a yayaaji (yajna performer).
Two such brothers lived in Varanasi. Their names were Jayaghosh and Vijayaghosh. Both were well-versed in Vedas and sacrificial offerings.
Once, Jayaghosh went to river Ganges for a bath. On the bank he saw a very brutal and touching scene. A snake had caught a frog in its mouth and was trying to swallow it, and at vulture (kurar) was trying to swallow that snake. As the vulture swallowed the snake.bit by bit, the snake pressed the frog, its agony increased and it shuddered with pain.
At this pathetic scene waves of compassion engulfed his heart and Jayaghosh was filled with revulsion for violence. He was disturbed watching the reality that stronger creatures of this world consumed the weaker ones. He approached a Jain ascetic and got initiated as a shraman. He started observing rigorous austerities and in due course the extended austerities emaciated his body.
Wandering from one village to another, ascetic Jayaghosh came to Varanasi. At that time Vijayaghosh was performing a grea ojna..After a month long fast ascetic Jayaghosh came to the yajna pavilion to seek alms. Vijay hosh could not recognize him and outrightly refused to offer any alms.
Getting no alms did not disturb the equanimous sage. However, in order to enlighten Vijayaghosh, the ascetic asked him-What is the mouth of yajna, Nakshatra (Asterism) and religion. Vijayaghosh failed to reply these questions. Then Jayaghosh explained the true meaning of these along with the canse and formation of Brahmin and other groups. He also explained the concepts of sage, shraman and caste system.
After that he inspired him to be away from acquiring karmic-bondage. Vijayaghosh was enlightened and became an ascetic. The two brothers practiced asceticism and attained liberation.
The special feature of this chapter is that yajna, Brahmin and related subjects have been spiritually dealt.
This chapter echoes the original thoughts of Bhagavan Mahavir as he might have presented at that time.
The chapter has 45 verses.
