Aspects of Brahmanical Influence On Jaina Mythology

Author(s): Shaktidhar Jha
Publisher: Bharat Bharti Bhandar

Page 33

The'Epics and the Jaina Puranas
18
The iniuence of the epics is so deep and permanent on the minds of the laymen that despite ceaseless efforts of the Jaina savants to win them over to pure Jainism, there are to be found a good number of staunch adherents of the faith who still show their unflinching faith more in Rama than in Mahavira and consider the epics more inspiring than the Jaina works
Here it deserves mention that the works in question have left no less influence with the protagonists of the faith, who -appear to have partly recognized it by way of reaction shown against these works in the introductory portions of their Puranas. Nevertheless, whatever may be the nature of reaction against these epics, it is beyond doubt that the ideas and plots taken over directly and indirectly from the epics have enriched the Jaina Puranas to a considerable extent
One important point not to be lost sight of with regard to the study of the circumstances leading to the inclusion of the cpics in the Jaina syllabus and its resultant effect is that the Jaina laity was drawn from all strata of Indian society and was formed of ordinary human beings engaged in worldly pursuits. Over and above that, majority of the Jainas were converts from the Brāhmanıcal faith,? who were brought up in the Brāhmanical epic-Purānic environment Their customs and manners, beliefs and superstitions were moulded chiefly by the ideals set forth by the epics Although change of
6 Sec the interesting paper Rama aura Mahādira by Shri Ayodhya
Prasadzi Goyaliya published in Sri Mahāvira Gommemoration Volume, Vol I (1948-49) The point is further confirmed by the fact that the first Purāna by such a staunch advocate of Jainism as Vimalasarı relates to the life-story of Rama and the Taina versions of Rāma-biograp outnumber the Purānic works on any individual Salākápurusa, orde V.M Kulkarni, introduction to the Prakrit Text Society edition of the
Pailmacariga, pp 1-5 8 Padmacariga, Canto II 105-117, 3 8-16, 8 68-80 Padmacanta, Parvan
2 VV. 230-235 JHV 45 150-167 SPC, 1.10 1.9 PMP LXIX
33-13 7. The elaborate Dik şandayakriyas enjoined to be performed by the
converts before they were received into the Jaida faith bear testimony to the fact, Vide Mahāpurāna 39 1-80