Jain Journal 2005 07

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

Page 13

JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XL, NO. 1 July 2005
When the hairs on face and head are pulled and removed by hand The womb that delivered you burns! O, son Don't go for Dīkşā'll
'Food to be taken only once a day and Sleeping on one side throughout night / O Son It can't be sustained by you. Don't go for dikṣā.
For all such points the determined youth gives the short but firm reply- "all those are to be tolerated." He goes to get the sainthood.
The song ends with the sisters of this youth reporting their mother- the process of dikşā ceremoney of their brother, his removing of jewels, wearing saffron cloth, rich people bowing to his feet etc. The whole song is heart touching. It also tells the rules to be observed by a Jaina monk.
Many such folksongs are prevailing among the Jains in Karnataka. Even though they are now becoming forgotten materials, the collected material is enough to show the talent and imagination of Jaina folk composers, their devotion etc.
6.
Legends Legends are the narrations created and perpetuated by folk about a person or a place. These narrations may be in the form of a story or simply a statement. But a legend is always believed to be true. It is a 'believed history' though actually it may or not be so.
Many such legends are prevailing among the Jains in Karnataka. These are related to Jaina places of pilgrimage, temples, great kings and saints etc. Some of these legends have some history in them. Some others are rooted in mythology. Some appear to be purely purported. But all these express the devotion, faith and life philosophy of the Jains who believe they are true. Some of these are inscribed in epics also.