Aspects of Brahmanical Influence On Jaina Mythology

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

Page 69

Brahmanical Definition
mutpattı or Rajadamsodbhava deals with the origin of various ruling families together with the genealogical accounts of the persons belonging to different dynasties. It is under this section that the Vamsa and Vamfānucanta subjects of the five-characteristic-Purāna may be said to have found their treatment. The study of these Purānas further reveals that the works contain more than they mention, for the Purānas under investigation also give a sketchy account of the fourteen Manvantaras31 as well as a brief description of the social conditions of the primitive people during the reign of those mythical rulers of yore Thus the Brahmanical Pañcalaksana definition is applicable to these Purūnas82 in the same moderate way as it is to the extant Brahmanical Purānas
Viewed from the standpoint of adjustment to the Brahmanical conception of Purāna both in the old Pañcalaşana form and in its augmented appearance, the Mahapurāna of JinasenaGunabhadra is the most important of all the Jaina Purānas Even the Trişasțrsalākā-puruşacarita of Hemacandra, otherwise showing sufficient sign of Bralımanical influence, does not compare well with this work on this point Vying, as it does, with the epics, especially the Mahābhārata on the one hand and with the Brahmanical Purānas on the other, it lays its claim to the status both an Itzhāsa and a Purana In the introductory portion of the work we come face to face with the definition of the Puräna just in its primitive sense essentially based on the ctymology of the term. The author here says that by the term Purāna should be taken an event of the past'93 and its state of being a Purāna is established by the fact that it was made current (among the people) by the ancicnt seer 34 In continuation of the analysis of the nature and scope of the Purāna
31 VPC, 11 48-50, RPC, 111 74-88, JHV, vn 122-176 32. Cr V.M Kulharnı IVPC, P 27 33. garagi getu FITA"
AP 1 22a 34. "fa gerginli7 gqacara gaitası"
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