Aspects of Brahmanical Influence On Jaina Mythology

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

Page 80

Aspects of Brahmanical Influence an the Jaina Mythology
Śvetämbara versions though brief, state that the office of the first Manu, the primaeval ruler originated out of necessity to arrest a somewhat chaotic condition, when the primitive people degenerated and stooped to selfishness, and eventually started laying hands on others' possessions It was with a view to check that social evil and similar others that the people of the most ancient past chose one superior from among themselves as their ruler and guardian of their respective rights. The Digambara version, however, represents the Manus as born rulers among whom the regal status of the first seven is simply decorative rather than functional &
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A comparative study of the Jaina and the Brahmanical accounts reveals that both the traditions are remarkably one in holding that in the early stage of mankind the institution of government did not exist Both the Digambara and the Svetambara versions state that in the first two stages of the Avasarpini the people were perfect, strictly virtuous and devoid of evil propensities They were living a carefree life of harmony and
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7 ( 1 ) एव च परिगलमागे दसप्पगाररुखखारगुहावे ईसीसि उम्मिलते कसायप्पसरे जुयलयाण पवड्ढमाणे कप्परुखखममत्ते जानो परोपरमत्तरिण परिहव हिय्यावेश्रो ।
तो य मिलिकरण जुयलपुरिसुहि श्रम्हाणमेस बुद्धि - पोरिस - रूवमहिश्रो विसलवाहणोत्ति काऊरण पइट्ठाविय हाणो सामिसालत्तणेण गहियो ।
विमलवाहणाभि
( 21 ) तारक्कालानुभावेन मिथुनानामजायत । ममत्व कल्पवृक्षेषु स्वदेहावयवेष्विव ॥ अन्येन स्वीकृत कल्पवृक्षमन्यो यदाश्रयत् । महान् परिभवो ह्यासीत् तदा स्वीकृतपूर्विण. | यथा पराभव सोढुमसहास्ते परस्परम् । श्रात्माधिक स्वामितया चक्रुर्विमलवाह्नम् ||
-CMC, P. 10
-TSPC, 1 2 158 160, cf VH, P 157, 1st 17-25
8 VPC, 3 50-53, RPC, 3 75-88, JHV, 7 125-169, AP, 3 36ff
9 VPC, 3 31-40, RPC, 3 49-C3, JHV, 7 £5 105, AP 3 24 50, TSPC 12 118 131