Jain Journal 2004 07

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

Page 11

JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XXXIX, NO. 1 JULY, 2004
that this is a tradition that emphasises mere meekness or docility. Such an impression, however, would be quite mistaken. Martial values, albeit, in transmuted form, are crucial to Jainism's message and to its understanding of itself. The Jina is a conqueror......he is also one who might have been, had he chosen to be a wordly King and a conqueror of the world. But instead the Jina becomes a spiritual king and transposes the venue of war from the outer field of battle to an inner one......the metaphor of transmuted martial valor is basic to the tradition's outlook and integration” [A. Babb Lawrence : 1998:5).
1.09. “Ācārya Simhanandi, celebrated teacher and proinoter of the Ganga dynasty, laid down the following Jaina code of conduct for his protege, rightly swept up in the spirit of the age and history, and fusing religion, prowess and patriotism together :
If you fail in what you have promised If you do not approve of the Jaina teachings If you seize the wife of another If you eat honey of flesh If you form relationships with low people If you do not give you wealth to the needy If you flee from the battle field Then your race will go to ruin
1.09.1 “All the Gangas faithfully adhered to these aeonial commandments almost verbatim; they fought bravely and won many decisive battles, whole-heartedly approved the Jaina teachings, maintained sterling character, remained virtuous, followed vegetarianism, aimed at altruistic principles, distributed their wealth to the needy. A number of the Ganga charters go to approve that they are celebrated for their unswerving fidelity to the plighted word. They continued to include the cognomenic appellation of Dharmamahādhirāja and satya-vākya olim Nanniya Ganga (“the Ganga in Truth') to aver their guru, adept Simhanandi” ( Hampa Nagarajaiah: 1999 B : 75-76). Jaina thought did not confine to preach an attitude of life negation. It also maintained an attitude of life affirmation. With this radical and secularised imminence, Jainism culminated in social