Aspects of Brahmanical Influence On Jaina Mythology

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

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Aspects of Brahmanical Influence on the Jain Mythology
the basis of their natural bent towards a particular type of profession Thus the Purānas clearly show that the institution of Vamas was based on the nature of calling which an individual chose of his own accord
From the above description it is clear that the Jaina account of the universal development represents an uninterrupted tradition already embodied in the epic-Purāņic works of the Brāhmanical school Hence, it is of abiding value and interest for the study of the process of emergence of mankind from the state of nature to the status of well-organised people under a benevolent Government
SECTION II As we have seen in the foregoing pages, all the Jaina Purānas give the account of Nabhi, father of Rşabhadeda as a prelude to the universal history in accordance with the Jaina tradition It is, in fact, from the life story of Rsabha that the principal mytho-historical narrative of the world may be said to have begun Now, in this context he has been represented as the progenitor of the whole creation, and in that capacity, has been vested with all the qualities and functions of Brahma both as Prajāpalı and as Stastr Consequently all epithets and names, expressive of the creative faculty of the first member of the Brahmanical Trinity as well as His various functions and associations have been appropriated to the first Jina. Thus, Rsabha is addressed as Karls, Vidhāts, Lokapitāmaha' and so on Besides these, he is also called Svayambhūb (self-cxistent), Aja, Ajanmar (unborn), Ayonijas (not born
1 VPC, V 122, XXVIII 48, CIX 12, RPC 11 201, JHV, 8 196,
209, 213, 220, MP, 26 134, 142, SPC, 38,
MP 25 149 3 Ibid 10 207 4. Ibid 25 14 8. Ibid 2 1, 24 36, 25 100 6 Ibid 24 30; 26 106 7. Ibid 26.100 8 Ibid 24.34; 25 106