Jain Journal 1970 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 44

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JAIN JOURNAL
In most of the chapters there is a frequent interchange of dialogues. This technique has averted the possibility of dulness and monotony. The righteous conduct is preached through the solutions of riddles and explanations of similes. These riddles and similes bring in variety and keep the interest of the reader or listener alive. Kesi says to Gautama, "You are among thousands of enemies. How do you manage to conquer them ?" Gautama replies in another riddle, “He has conquered one and thereby five and then the ten automatically surrendered. Conquering the ten he conquered all.” Then follows the explanation of the riddle; the self uncontrolled is the greatest enemy, then there are the four kaşāyas ; anger, pride, deceit and greed ; these with the five senses make ten. One who has conquered these is invincible in the face of the multitudinous objects of senses. A series of such riddles follows.
A clash between the Brahmanical cult of yajña and the Sramana cult of tapah has been a recurrent theme here as well as elsewhere in the Jaina canons. When asked what kind of yajña he performs for emancipation of the spirit the ascetic Harikesa replies :
tavo joi jivo joitthāņam
jogā suā sarıram kārisamgam kammam ehā samjama joga samti
homam huņāmi isiņam pasattham 12/44
This is presenting the potion of didacticism in a palatable syrup form.
There are direct religious teachings as well. But, except in the few latter chapters, care has been taken to present the discourse in an interesting manner. The sermon preached to king Srenika in chapter 20 is evolved in a very dramatic manner. The king in his kingly haughtiness offers to protect the ascetic and only learns the greatest and the most obvious truth that he himself is most unprotected.
There are moments of emotional tension-moments which belong to the realm of poetry proper. The song of Kapila springs from a situation which pulsates with life. Kapila fell into the snares of a servant girl. She wanted money and therefore asked Kapila to be the first man to bow down to merchant Dhana in the morning and thus to obtain two pieces of gold for her. The episode is suggestive-attachment to women brings one to the feet of Dhana, i.e., wealth or possession. Kapila in his exuberance of enthusiasm to oblige the girl started quite late at night instead of early in the morning. He was taken for a thief and