Jain Journal 1991 04

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

Page 17

APRIL, 1991
161
Sanskrit, but in Prakrit, which is a very old language. Although the language is Prakrit, still the letters are not so, but they write all their religious books in the letters used in the Sāstras.
They do not marry, but their customs at death, in burning the dead body, are like those of other Hindus; and if any married disciple becomes the follower of these people, he is called a Sarăugi.
Although Brāhmaṇs and Kşatris, from associating with them, have begun somewhat to believe in the Sarãugi religion, still Bhabràs and Baniyas106 chiefly follow this persuasion. Those Bhabrás and Baniyās, who belong to this denomination, although they wear the tuft of hair on their heads, at the same time do not wear the Brahminical thread round their throat. These people do not hold funeral or marriage feasts, and do not perform any funeral obsequies, according to the rites of the Vedas or the Purāņas.
This is the custom of these Sarãugis, that they may not undertake any business or traffic, in which there can be loss of life to any animal, hence, when they undertake any traffic or sale, they only sell such precious, or dry, things in which no insect nor any animal can come ; accordingly, some of them are cloth merchants, and bankers, and some are pedlars, and many become braziers, and get their living in this way; and they none of them sell any wet, greasy, or sweet things.
There is also another caste of Sarãugis, who are known by the name of Oswāls, but none of them are to be met with in the Punjab : they principally live in the land of Marwar, that is to say in the neighbourhood of Bikaner, Jaipur, and Jodhpur. Although all the written codes of the Sarūugis, regarding religion, mercy, patience, and continence are very good, still, as they do not regard God as the Creator, for this reason, people regard them as infidels. and unbelievers. (pp. 111-113.)
Notes :
104. This is done to prevent their killing any animal or insect with their breath even, as they hold it, as the greatest sin, to kill any living thing. 105. That is to say, they ask if a person's family has already eaten, and if the reply is that they have, the Jainis will partake of their