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History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathurā
Background of Pārsvanātha
There were two principal streams of thought in ancient India. The current of thought which believed in the authority of the Vedas and the sanctity of Vedic rituals was known as Brāhmanical. The stream of thought which opposed the Brāhmaṇical thought and practices was known as Sramaņic.36
Śramaņa is a peculiarly Jaina term which is used to designate a Jaina monk.37 The śramanic culture had its distinct peculiarities. The śramanas held a number of primitive views like a pessimistic outlook on life, an animistic belief in the presence of soul in all things, the doctrine of the transmigration of soul, the potency of karma, etc. Pārsvanātha's ideology was Sramanic. The order to which he belonged may be called the sramaņa samgha 3 The doctrine of ahimsā on which Pārsvanātha laid stress was not a new doctrine. It was probably as old as the Vedas.39 Neminātha, the twenty-second tīrthamkara, is also said to have emphasised the doctrine of ahimsā.40
Life of Pārsvanātha
The life and teachings of Pārsvanātha should be viewed in the light of this background. Pārsvanātha was born to Aśvasena, the king of Benares, and his queen Vāmā,41 who was also known as Brahmā.42 The name Aśvasena does not occur in the Brāhmanic literature. 43 The only king of this name which finds mention in epic literature is a Nāga king. 44 Pārsvanātha was married to the daughter of the king of Kosala45 or to the daughter of the king
36. JSAI, p. 4. 37. Ibid. 38. CUHI, I, p. 220. 39. Ibid., p. 188. 40. HP, pp. 616-34; JAA, I, p. 17; JPV, p. 117. 41. CHI, 1, p. 154; LDJC, p. 19; JSS, p. 9; AOIU, p. 411. 42. JI, p. 82. 43. CHI, p. 154. 44. Ibid.; K.A.N. Sastri, History of India, Part I, p. 45. 45. JI, pp. 82-3.
