Jain Journal 1982 10

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

Page 21

Vatarasana Munis and Nirgrantha Dharma
J. C. SIKDAR
Vātarašanā Munis are mentioned in many places of the Vedas, the oldest works of India. It is worthy to give consideration to austerities of Vātarašanā Munis as described in some șcās of the Rgveda for their identification with further corroborative evidences of later ages. “Vātarašanā Munis bear dirt by which they look pingalavarņa (ochre coloured). When they hold the motion of air by prāņopāsanā (worship by controlling life-breath), they, being illuminated by the glory of their austerity, attain godhood. Having left out all popular usage, they attain väyubhāva (ašarirl-dhyānavrtti) like mad (with best bliss) by observing silence (maunavịtti) and the common people, see only their external body, not their true internal nature as these Vātaraśanā Munis manifest."1
Kesi who seems to be the leader of Vātarašanā Munis has been eulogized in the şcã of the Rgveda as bearing fire, water and heaven and showing the reality of the universe and invoked as Jyoti (Ray of Light).2
The meaning of Kesi is kesadhāri (one bearing hair); its meaning has been given by Sayanacarya as the one, holding kesasthāniyarasmi and the meaning of the sun is derived from it. But no usefulness and adjustment of the above account fit well with Vātarašanā Munis whose austerities are described in that sūkta. Kesi may be accepted as the leader of Vātarašanā Munis in whose austerities there is a particular mention of maladhāraṇa (bearing of dirt on the body), maunavịtti (observance of silence) and a lunatic condition (of spiritual mind).4
Mention of Vātarašanā Sramanas with their leader Rsabha and the account of their austerities support the view that there was the continuance
1 munayo vatarasanah pisanga vasate mala vatasyanudhrajim yanti yaddevaso aniksata
unmadita maunayena vatan a tasthima vayam sariredasmakam yuyam mastaso a bhipasyatha-Rgveda, 10. 136. 2-3. kesyagnim kesi visam kesi bibharti rodasi kesi visam svandrse kesidam jyotirucyate
-Rgveda, 10. 136. 1. "The verse apparently identifies Kesi with the sun.”-Dr. G. C. Pande, Sramana Tradition, Its History and Contribution to Indian Culture, p. 23. Rgveda, 10.136.1, kesyagnim..... ucyate. It is the behaviour of all Paramahamsas, as this condition is found in them in the attainment of spiritual perfection.