Jain Journal 1973 10

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

Page 34

OCTOBER, 1973
even when he had created the fourth caste of the Brāhmanas from amongst the best of the three castes, which had already been formed, is clear when it is observed that in the Adipurāna, Rsabhadeva instituted the order of the Kşatriyas with the weapons in his hands, brought the Vaisyas into existence with his thighs, indicating the ways of travel, and created the Sūdras with his feet. It was left to Emperor Bharata to bring into existence the Brāhmanas by teaching the śāstras with his mouth. All the four castes, according to the theory as enunciated by the author of the Adipurāņa professed originally Jainism but later on when they fell into "falsehood," abjured that religion and embraced Hinduism, as had been foretold to Emperor Bharata in an ominous dream33.
On other important matters, particularly governmental institutions the Adipurāņa had practically nothing to say. Although protection was not a fundamental function of monarchy, yet Jinasena would make the ruler the embodiment of all virtues, and would require of hi ungrudging attention and his untiring energy devoted to the protection of his subjects. The revenue was to be realized like a milkman milking the cows without causing hardships to the people. Ahimsā, or nonviolence to all living creatures, was to be the essence of religion, and the universal conquest of the world by ahimsā was the aim of Jinasena's political theory34
In order to better appreciate Jinasena's idealism, we should read the Jaina Sūtras, and especially the significant work of Somadeva Suri to be mentioned below. For instance, in the Uttarādhyayana Sūtra there is a very interesting description of the ideals of Ksatriya-hood in the conversation between Nami, who had descended from the world of gods, and was born as a man, and Indra disguised as a brāhmana.
The occasion was the complete retirement of Nami to a life of meditation when he had reached the excellent stage of pravrajyā, at which Indra draws his attention to the uproar in the erstwhile capital of Nami, Mithila, and advises him thus : "Erect a wall, gates, and battlements ; dig a moat , construct sataghnis; then you will be a Kşatriya" Nami answered that his faith was his fortress, self control the bolt of its gates ; patience its strong wall, zeal his bow, truth the strength with which he could be victor in the battle of the sansāra or life. Indra then said : "Build palaces, excellent houses and turrets, thus you will be a
33 Adipurana, XVI, 241-246, see also Beni Prasad, op. cit., p. 225. 34 Adipurana, IV, 186-198, XVI, 254, XXV-XXVI ; See also Beni Prasad, ibid, pp.
226-227.