Aspects of Brahmanical Influence On Jaina Mythology

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

Page 59

The Epics and the Jaina Purānas
Now, kceping in view the Jaina authors' leaning towards mischicvous distortion and misrepresentation of the traditional accounts, it will not be unwarranted to hold that Subhacandra has replaced V'asi Uparıcara by Santanu to give the epic myth the most perverted look
Other instances of incongruity as mentioned in the work include (1) the account of the procreation of Dhitarăstra, Pāndu and Vidura by Vjäsa on the widows of Vicuravīryo,205 (11) the story of Pandit's accidental slaying of a Rsi enjoying sexual plcasures with his wife in the form of a male and a female deer and the consequent cursc pronounced by the sage's wife on Pandu that he will meet huis end in the embraces of his wife108, (111) thc myth of Karna's procreation by the Sun.god on Kunti in lier maidenhood107 and the legend of the begetting of Yudhisthira, Bhima and Arjuna respectively by Dharma (god of justice) Vayu (wind-god) and Indra on Kunti and, of the twin brothers Nahula and Sahadeva by Aśvins on Madrı on behalf of Pandu10s, (iv) the account of Draupadi's marriage with all the Pāndavas109 and (v) the representation of Gangeya (Bhışma) as the son of the river Ganga
Besides the above-cited instances of absurdities Subhacandra mentions one more which is really outrageous That relates to the most disgusting birth-story of the Kauravas The work alleges that according to the other traditions Gandhānı was wedded to a hundred goats which were slaughtered in a
105 2 44-47, of YBh 8 105 1-32 106 2 56-61, of MB2 1 117 5-33 According to thc cpic version it is the
dying sage who curses Pându 107 2 62 MBh 1 110 4-20 108 2 64-65 MBh 1 122 1-35, 1 123 15-17 109 269 71 MBh 1 104 23-31, 1, chaps 196-197 Houcver, the foetambara
texts, like the Brahmanical sources, almit the event of Draupadi's marriage with the five Pandava-brothers (Nāyā-Dhammakahã chapter XVI) And the Buddhist Jataka, in a bid to illustrate feminine infidclity connccts her, besides her five husbands, with a hunch-backed ser vant with whom she is said to have committed adultery, Kunāla-Jätaka of Wintcrnitz, HIL, Vol I, p 472