Jaina Religion Historical Journey of Evolution

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 83

Impact of Vedic Tradition on Jainism 69
Brahmin woman; this is the thirteenth varņa. The union between Śūdra man and Ksatriya woman led to the origin of Kșatrā (khannā) varņa the fourteenth varņa. The union of Vaiśya man and Brahmin woman led to the origin of fifteenth varna called Vedeha. And finally from Śūdra man and Brahmin woman was born the sixteenth varṇa called Cāņdāla. In the process of time such unions between these sixteen varņas (anuloma and pratiloma) led to the emergence of several different castes.
The above description reveals that with the passage of time, Jaina Ācāryas accepted the institutions of jāti and varņa of Hindu tradition in its own amended form. Around 7th century AD, Ācārya Jinasena of the south, out of fear of social controversy and also for maintaining the identity and social respect of Jaina dharma, absorbed the caste and varņa system of Hindu tradition in such a manner that the distinctiveness of the Jainas almost got lost. Ācārya Jinasena, for the first time, said, that the first creator Rşabhadeva, after having propounded six kinds of karmas (actions) created three kinds of varmnas i.e. Kșatriyas, Vaiśyas and Śūdras. Later, in the same text it is said those who serve Kșatriya and Vaiśya are sūdras. Sūdras are of two kinds: (i) kārus (ii) akārus. Kārus are of two kinds: (i) touchable (ii) untouchables; washermen, barbers etc are touchable sūdras and Cāņdālas etc.