Jain Thought and Culture

Author(s): G C Pandey
Publisher: University of Rajasthan

Page 79

69
A Note on Uddyotanasuri's Kuvalayamala
action be done in the right spirit it can be a help in liberation On this basis the doctrine of the Four Asramas was gradually elaborated and the point of view of Praurttı sought to be combined with that of Niurttı 10 It is interesting to note that the Jain acceptance of lay life gradually seems to have tended to veer round in actual practice, if not u strict theory, to a similar point of view which held moral life to be a properly valuable life at once fulfilling human nature in the secular context and also preparing one for the ultimate step of renunciation 11
Questions of theoretical consistency and niceties of formulation apart, the attitude expressed in the Kuvalayamala is sufficiently vivid to be interpreted for what it is irrespective of the meaning which may be sought in it in pursuance of the tradition1 Uddyotana Suri has no doubt that he is giving espression to the genuine and pristine Jaina faith through the medium of delectable tales of adventure and romance just as the Jatakas are supposed to express Buddhist ideas and sentiments 12 The effectiveness of these tales, however, depends on their acceptance of adventure and romance as values though within the limits of ethical idealism 13 The heroes of Uddyotana are fullblooded men and women Swayed by passions they transgress the moral law and consequently suffer and repent They are thus able to progress spiritually (bhavya) with the help of Jain munis, aitain to a moral and happy life and ultimately realizing the vanity of all things turn to the path of liberation The author describes Trivarga as the commonly accepted values of these Dharma is the topmost (uttama) Artha is middling (madhyama) because it may be used
10 See my 'Studies in the Ongins of Buddhismi', 2nd ed , Motilal Banarsidass, 1974, pp 356-367 11 Dharma as the common basis for fulfilment here and hereafter is a concept which was eugally acceptable to all-Brahmanas, Buddhists and Jainas Asoka penceived and expressed this most clearly by stating that the essence of Dharma is IS universal and consists in self control (samyama) and 'elevation of emotions' (bhavasuddhi)-Ray Balı Pandey, Asoke ke Abhilekha RE This is an ethics based on the ultimate rationality and goodness of the human heart 12 But note that according to the editor, despite the introduction of Jain dogmatical details, the structure of the narrative would remain intact in most of the cases even if these contexts are skipped over" (Op Cit, II, P 69) 13 CF Tona kinci kumasaitha samabaddhain pi bhannihi Tam ca ma nuratthayam ganejja kuntia padioatt kuramam akkbevanitif kauna babumayām ti (1, p 5) See Nagari Version p 5 it must be remembered that even as an "attractive deyice" the presentation of romance will fail if it does not grasp the human values which make it effective in reality,