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226
Aspects of Brahmanical Influence on the Faina Mythology
are assailed for preaching Activistic Religion118 (stafetu H) and animal sacrifices Kings are asked to realize revenue from these so-called Brahmanas 120
As regards the institution of the stages of life, the Jaina Puranas, as a rule, acknowledge only two, viz Sägäräśrama (the order of a householder) and Nirāgārāśrama (the order of a monk) These Āśramas are said to have originated during the reign of Rşabhadeva 121 The Jaina authors repudiate the idea of accepting more than two stages of man's life Ravişena, for example, states that "the prescribed conduct is declared to be of two varieties, (one) of the householders and the other) of the monks Those who accept a third one are, indeed, burnt with the fire of delusion "322
Nevertheless, Jinasena's description of the sacramental rites prescribed for the Dorjas (twice-born men) provides sufficient ground to believe that the author of the MP sanctions the Aśrama-scheme in a somewhat masked way 128 The four stages have been covered under various designations practically in the same order as in the Brahmanical works Thus, some rites and rituals are enjoined to be performed in the Brahmacaryasrama, others in the Gshasthāśrama, a few in the Vānaprastha and some are to be observed in the Samnyasāstama And, although critical of the Brahmanıcal scheme,194 the author of the MP recognizes the four Āśramas in the same order and under the same names as the legitimate Jaina orders Hc, however, impresses upon us that the Brahmanical fourfold Aśrama scheme is erroneous.
119 Ibid 41 51-52, also 39 135 and cf MBH (XIJI 141 70a) which holds
that the religion marked by activities is intended for the bousc-bolders
(प्रवृत्तिलक्षणो धर्मो गृहस्थेषु विधीयते) 120 MP. 42 181 191 121 RPC 5 196 122 सागाराणा यतीनाञ्च धर्मोऽसो द्विविध स्मृत । तृतीय ये तु मन्यन्ते दग्धास्ते मोहवह्निना ।।
albid , 4 46 123. See the following chapter 124 MP 39, 24, 161b
