________________
58
5
Background of Pārsvanatha
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 Brāhmaṇical. The stream of thought which opposed the Brāhmaṇical thought and practices was known as Śramanic.36
History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathura
Śramana is a peculiarly Jaina term which is used to designate a Jaina monk.37 The Śramanic culture had its distinct peculiarities. The śramaņas 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. Pārsvanatha's ideology was Śramanic. The order to which he belonged may be called the śramana samgha.38 The doctrine of ahimsa on which Parsvanatha laid stress was not a new doctrine. It was probably as old as the Vedas.39 Neminatha, the twenty-second tīrthamkara, is also said to have emphasised the doctrine of ahimsă.40
Life of Pārsvanatha
The life and teachings of Pārsvanatha should be viewed in the light of this background. Pārśvanatha was born to Asvasena, the king of Benares, and his queen Vāmā,41 who was also known as Brahma. 42 The name Aśvasena does not occur in the Brāhmaṇic literature. The only king of this name which finds mention in epic literature is a Naga king." Pārsvanatha was married to the daughter of the king of Kosala45 or to the daughter of the king
Jain Education International
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, I, p. 154; LDJC, p. 19; JSS, p. 9; AOIU, p. 411. 42. JI, p. 82.
43. CHI, p. 154.
44.
45.
Ibid.; K.A.N. Sastri, History of India, Part I, p. 45. JI, pp. 82-3.
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
