Book Title: Chanakya Explored in Jaina Literature
Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: Firodaya Prakashan

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Page 225
________________ According to Kautilya, the following are sexual crimes - 215 (i) Rape on an unmarried girl. (ii) Sexual intercourse without the consent of another's wife or a widow. (iii) Rape on a sex-worker or her daughter without consent. (iv) Unnatural or perverted sexual activities. (v) Raping one's wife without her consent. (vi) Sexual intercourse with animals and birds. (vii) Sexual activities with the idols of gods and goddesses. We can say that these details of the Arthaśāstra are as if reflected or echoed in the five transgressions of the 4th aṇuvrata. Especially the sexual intercourse with animals and birds and sexual activities with the idols of gods and godesses are covered under the vow called 'svadārasamtosa'. In the Jaina code of conduct, seven bad habits (sapta-vyasanas) are enumerated with the advice to shun it totally. Two among the seven are veśyagamana and para-strī / para-purușa-gamana, which are sexual crimes from the viewpoint of religion as well as the lawcode of the state. Observations : It is argued that Jaina religion is not an independant religion because it does not owe separate code of conduct than that of the Hindus. Since the Jainas live in the same socio-cultural environment of the Hindus, they might have felt that a separate law-book is not necessary. It is a great contribution of the Jaina law-makers, particularly who codified the conduct of the Jaina householders, to accomodate the state laws into their religious vows and its transgressions. We do not find this type of gṛhasthadharma even in

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