Jain Journal 1991 04

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

Page 28

172
JAIN JOURNAL
Notes :
1. This is done by a sect called the Kapriās, who cover even their faces. 2. As the Brāhmaṇs do. 3. The reference is to the Jains. 4. That is, I am totally absorbed in God. (p. 280)
There is no impurity in corn, there is no impurity in ablution ;1 There is no impurity in rain which falleth everywhere ; There is no impurity in earth, there is no impurity in water ; There is no impurity contained in air.
Notes:
1. As supposed by the Jains, who avoid water. (p. 372)
The above is supposed to have been addressed to a holy man called Thakur Das at Priyag.
Guru Gobind Singh and the Jains
The Jains did not fare that well either in the eyes of the last Guru who was, of course, not a pacifist as was the first Guru. So, Guru Govind Singh's dislike of the Jains may be related to their deep respect for life, even the smallest living creature. Guru Govind Singh took arms and fought many wars, whereas Jains would do no such thing. He compares the vegetarians to a cow and an ox, and the celibate monks to eunuchs in his kavitās (verses 71-90) of Dasam Granth. As a matter of fact it is not only the Jains, but also various other sects of both Hindus and Muslims that are denounced for their rituals and the codes of conduct practised by them. For example, Guru Gobind Singh said :
Thou wanderest in the woods ? So do the deer. Thou livest in silence ? So do the trees. Thou art a celibate ? So are the eunuchs. Thou wanderest barefooted ? So do the monkeys. (1) p. 47