Aspects of Brahmanical Influence On Jaina Mythology

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

Page 38

Aspects of Brahmanical Influence on the Jain Mythology
nine Vasudevas and Baladevas as well as their inveterate
20
enemies.
In its method of representation, this Purana vies with the Mahabharata on the one hand, and with Brahmanical Puranas,20 on the other Like the Brahmanic Puranas the MP not only deals with what may purely be called Puranic matters but also dwells upon the Smyti-matters Besides, the work has incorporated many sections on Jaina dogmatics, ethics and philosophy and introduced situations for religious discussions.21 These occasions are mostly used for making polemical attacks on the different systems of nonn-Jaina philosophy, Brahmanical religious creeds, customs and practices as well as in defence of the Jaina practices and beliefs However, on many occasions the author has endeavoured to arrest the anti-Brahmanical feelings as reflected in early Jaina literature For example, he has introduced a novelty in the episode of the origin of the Brahmana varna22 as found in the works of his predecessors.
In many respects the MP exhibits profound influence of the Brahmanical epics, Puranas and contemporary religious thoughts and practices of the Hindus This influence is manifest on the sections dealing with the duties of different varnas and Asramas,23 various sacraments as well as the penances of yatis which may be called Jaina Yoga These sections often use the same ideas and expressions as are found in the Brahmanical epic-Puranic text 24 Now, the fact that protestant Jainism did 20 Vide chapter II
21 eg 4 16-40, 5 14-160
22 It devotes as many as three parvans on the origin of the Brahmana Varna as well as various sacraments, rites and rituals to be observed by the Brahmanas with special reference to the Asramas (parvans 38-40) See infra chapters VIII-IX and comp VPC, IV 64-87, PC IV 85-131 23 See chapters VIII-IX(infra)
24 eg (a) a grufta en à août weitzmaraafega |
MP 34 203
(b) egfa farar ga z.a aqı ara fanıaarą | समभावेन तेऽपश्यन् सर्वत्र समदर्शिन ॥
Ibid, 34 204
(c) वसन्ति स्मानिकेतास्ते...
Ibid, 34 174 and compare,