Collected Research Papers in Prakrit and Jainology Vol 02

Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: University of Pune

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of non-Bodhisattva tiryancas who delivered religious sermon. Therefore Jātaka tales are symbolical and do not provide factual information of tiryanca-world.
In Hindu tradition, in the texts like Pañcatantra, Hitopadeśa and Brhatkathāmañjarī, we meet tiryancas, every now and then. In these stories animals and birds talk, discuss and even preach to human beings. They are depicted as wise, cunning, foolish, helpful, jealous, straightforward, crooked, deceitful and so on. We know that human virtues and shortcomings are symbolically presented through these tiryancas. These are not the true emotions of tiryancas.
Barring a few imitative animal-based story-books, Jaina writers never indulged in such type of writings. A sound and fixed theoretical pattern of tiryanca-world was provided by the Jaina philosophers from ancient times. Jaina writers did not prefer to write about the tiryañcas which would contradict the theory.
(b) Scattered Instances of Tiryancas in Hindu and Jaina Literature
In Vālmīki Rāmāyana, the episode of Jațāyu is very famous. Jatāyu's help to Rāma in searching Sītā ; his death ; funeral pyre and Srāddha performed by Rāma, is described at length in Rāmāyana. Hanumāna, Sugrīva and thousand other Vānaras helped Rāma in many ways. The tale of Gajendramoksa in Bhāgavatapurāna describes the devotion of the elephant towards Lord Visņu. In Hindu tradition, the position of a crow' is very special. In the death-rituals, the role of a crow is very significant. It is also believed that a crow gives indication of the arrival of a guest. In the books like Sukasaptati, a parrot interacts with human beings. A parrot's role in fortune-telling is accepted in Indian society since ancient times. We can gather hundreds of beliefs about tiryancas, from Hindu literature and practice.
In Jaina literature such type of stories are very rare. The reason is already mentioned that the theoretical pattern of Jainaism do not allow such occurrences. Jainas do not worship the tiryañcas like a cow, bullock, tiger, cobra etc. They do not worship trees like Vața, Udumbara because trees are one-sensed tiryancas.
Lord Mahāvīra was a lion in one of his previous births, but in that birth, he did not preach anybody. In post-canonical story-literature of Jainas, many animals and birds are mentioned when a particular Jiva was born in the realm of tiryanca. In the famous story of Konkanaka Brāhmana
which occurs in Vasudevahindi," it is the monk who tells the meaning of the pathetic bleating of a goat. The goat did not speak directly with the sons of the brahmin about his previous birth. In
Nāyādhammakahā Lord Mahāvīra has given the examples of a tortoise and an egg of a peacock.*Lord Mahāvīra preached the importance of self-control and Samyaktva through the symbolic tales.
Nanda Maņīkāra becomes a 'frog' in his next birth. The frog remembers his previous birth
(Jātismarana) and accepts fast until death.
The story of Mahāmatsya and Tandulamatsya
underlines the horrific effects of the excessive craving for food." Lord Pārsvanātha preaches the
couple of serpent.
The anger and attitude of Candakausika serpent was pacified with the glance
and words of Lord Mahāvīra.40 The Jātismarana of Meruprabha is described in Nāyādhammakahä. In all these instances the mediatorship of spiritually progressed human being is depicted.
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