Book Title: Critical Study Of Paumacariyam
Author(s): K R Chandra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology and Ahimsa

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Page 523
________________ 494 A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAW it was churned by the Devas and the Asuras?. According to the Jaina mythology, Soma is one of the Lokapāla of Indras of the Kalpavāsīdevas. Prajāpati (17.13):Añjanāsundari after having been abandoned by her relatives, expresses in grief as to why the Prajāpati has made her body full of sorrows and troubles. At 15.64 Pavanañjaya remarks that Añjana's body is so formed as if it is modelled by Prajāpati. In the Vedas the term is applied to Indra, Savitri, Soma, Hiranyagarbha and other deities. Manu applies it to Brahmā as an active creator and supporter of the Universe. 3 Taking of holy baths at the Tirthas (Majjai titthesu 22.85) is referred to and it is said that taking holy bath for purification by those who take meat etc. is a futile effort to shake off the shackles of sin. Animal Sacrifices:-Vedic sacrifices which involved animalslaughter have been severely critisized in the Paumacariyaṁ. It is said that the heretics compiled the Vedas and preached animal-slaughter in the sacrifices (jannesu 4.79-80). The priests (Purohitas) have been referred to as presiding over the animal sacrifices (14.16). Rāvana is said to have destroyed the animal sacrifice (14.16) which was being performed by king Marutta of Rājagļha (Ch. 11). On that occasion many kinds of animals were brought and tied to the posts and many Brāhmaṇas had flocked there to take part in it. Narada, a Jaina sage also reached there and opposed the sacrifice but the Brāhmaṇas explained that the sacrifices had been preached by Caturmukha, that they should be performed by the first three Varpas-castes, that animals should be sacrificed propitiating the gods to attain heaven. On this occasion a story of king Vasu, Parvataka and Narada had been narrated in which Vasu supports Parvataka who preaches that goat should be killed in sacrifices. Parvataka is reborn as a Raksasa and then he in the disguise of a Brāhmaṇa preaches various sacrifices such as Gomedha, Pitmedha, Matsmedha, Rajasūya, Aśvamedha and Pasumedha in which the respective persons and animals are ordained to be slaughtered (11.41.42), so that they would attain heaven. Taking of meat and wine was also freely ordained by him, 1. Dowson, p. 301. 2. See Supra. 3. See Op. Cit. Dowson. 4. Gomehanāmadhee janne pāyāviyā surā havai/ Bhaņai agammāgamanam kāyavvan natth hi doso ccha// Piimehamāimehe rāyasūe āsameh apasumehel Eesu măria vvā, saesu nămesu je jivā// Jivā māreyavvā āsayapānam ca hoi kāyavvam/ Mamsaṁ ca khāiyayyam jannassa vihi havai esā 11.41.43.

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