________________
206
The Concept of Pañcasila in Indian Thought
drinking, it is given recognition as a medicine, and is not accounted a vice. For the fulfilment of the urge of being intoxicated, the Satapatha Brāhmaṇa suggests that one should try to achieve fame which is equally intoxicating. The Atharvaveda too condemns the use of intoxicating drinks just as it condemns flesh-eating or gambling which are called duşkarmas.
In the Upanişads sură drinking has been discussed in an even more explicit manner. It is usually condemned as abhakşya.3 In the Chandogya Upanişad surā drinking is called a 'mahāpātaka'4 (a major sin). Kaivalya points out further that nobody should indulge in surā-drinking because it makes him impure. At another place it is compared to the stealing of a cow. The term 'madya' in the sense of intoxicating liquor appears for the first time in the Chāndogya Upanişad. However, all these madya, madirā, etc., have been denounced in the Upanişads.
In the Smộtis too, there is an open and strong condemnation of intoxication. From various Smộtis numerous instances can be cited which denounce heavy drinking. According to Manu there are four major sins (mahāpātakas) and intoxication is among them. Manusmộti tells of the punishment of making a scar, known as 'surădhvaja', with an iron needle on the
1. 3991 a arsga 31 tai a THTEETTI --Ibid., 12.8. 2. a fe Tari Ibid., 12.7.3.14. 3.. मद्यं मांसं च लशनु प्लाण्डु शुगमेव चश्लेषमातकं विडंवाराहमभक्ष्यं
9519977: I - Jābālo, 40. 4. STIITTIFF***. -Chandogya, 5.8.10. 5. ****Terytareyfastafa 1-Kaivalya, 24. 6. The ITHI -Mahānārāyaṇa.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
