Jainism

Author(s): N R Guseva
Publisher: Sindu Publications P L

Page 97

LITERATURE AND ART OF THE JAINS
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and if water washes away wicked acts, then it must wash away the kind acts also. Brahmins believe that they reach perfection by daily enkindling fire, but if so, smiths and other similar handicraftsmen must reach the highest holyness.?
The themes of Indian epics are also found in Jain literature. For example, there is a legend about Draupadi, the wife of the five Pandavas and about her polyandric marriage, in the 6th Anga.
The 6th Anga contains a legend about Krishna, about the destruction of his kin and the attack on his city-Dwarka. All this has been described as in Mahabharat but Krishna himself is described as a Jain—a circumstance, again reminding us of the known interlacing of Krishnaism and Jainism.
Interesting narration about the unsuccessful and unhappy rebirths of a human being as a result of the law of Karma appears in the 11th Anga.
Exposition of scientific views on the questions of astronomy, geography, cosmogony, science of conception of time, etc. is found in the upangas. Also the principles of architecture, planning of cities and decoration of buildings are laid down there. Music, dances, art, erotics, methods of teaching actors etc. are also described. All this creates before us a picture of the ancient Indian society.
'Kalpasutra' is one of the latest parts of the canon but it is revered by the Jains as the highest of all the parts. It consists of three sections: the life of 24 Tirthankars is described in the first, different groups in the community and their leaders in the second (inscriptions of first century A.D. remind of these leaders as historical personalities) and the third contains the rules of the conduct of ascetics.
Mulsutras contain interesting material-fables, parables, and dialogues of ascetics, in which disputes with Brahmins are carried and their ideals are subverted.
Very little is known about the canon of Digambaras. I. Minayev observed that they took an hostile attitude towards Europeans and did not show their books to anybody, but it
sect (B. Ch. Law, India as Described in Early Texts of Buddhism and Jainism, p. 268.
7. M. Winternitz, Geschishte der Indischen Literatur, p. 299. 8. I. Minayev, Information About Jains and Buddhists.