Jain Journal 1991 04

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

Page 45

188
JAIN JOURNAL
This Babiya, according to Buddhist tradition is a disciple of Gautama, the Buddha, His teaching has a close resemblance with Buddhist teaching. The thirst, according to the Buddhist belief, is the root of all sorrows. And similarly, Bahuka's teaching, is also concerned with the elimination of thirst. We can not ignore this possibility that he might have been the disciple of the Buddha and if not he was much influenced by Buddhist philosophy. However, the Rşibhāşita contains the philosophy of Gautama, the Buddha and his many disciples.
Bahuka's name is not found in the Vedic texts, although a Rşi named Bahuyrakta is mentioned in the Vedic literature. He is said to have propounded some of the mantras of the Vedas.16 So we can not identify him with Rşi Bahuka. We find many Bahukas in the Mahābhārata. But they can hardly be linked with Rşi Bahuka of the Sūtrak rtānga. In the Vana Parva of the Mahābhārata Mābāraj Nala is described as Bahuka when he was living in disguise with Rtuparna, the king of Ayodhyā.17 A snake who was consigned to the flames in the yajña of Janmejaya, was also called Bahuka. 18
Nārāyaṇa -Like Nami, Ramaputta and Bahuka, Nārāyaṇa is also said to have drunk cold water and got liberation. Rşi Nārāyana is given a respectable place in the Rşibhā șita,19 The gist of his teaching is that a man should eradicate the root of anger. His similies are simple and truely reflect the nature of anger. He says that fire can be quenched but the fire of anger is difficult to be quenched. Fire destroys this life only but anger destroys many future lives. Fire burns a single person but anger burns the person himself as well as others. One should therefore try his best to control anger,
As regards the Vedic tradition, Nārāyaṇa is mentioned as God. 20 However, in the Vana Parva of the Mahābhārata there is a reference to Rşi Nārāyaṇa who is stated to have practised penance for one thousand years in Badarikaśrama.a1 A saint named as Nārāyaṇa who was indulged in conversation with Närada is also mentioned in the Sānti Parva, a 3 It
16 Vedic Kos, p. 334 17 Mahabharata, Vana Parva, 66/20 18 Ibid., Adi Parva, 157/13 19 Rsibhasita, Chapter 36 20 Mahabharata Namanukramanika, p. 175 21 Mahabharata, Vana Parva, 72/339 22 Ibid., Santi Parva, 33/13-15