Most Ancient Aryan Society

Author(s): Ram Chandra Jain
Publisher: Institute of Bharatalogical Research Sriganganagar Rajasthan

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( 20 ) non-sacrificers. The Jana-republic, of the Asuras had Parişadas, to the assemblies, which were also destroyed by Indra.
The people and their leaders had their spititual guides in Munis and Signadevas who were the followers of Vrşabha, a great sage belonging to the hoary past. They believed in the Duality of Spirit and Matter." This Muni and Sişnadeva culture latter came to be known as Muni-Śramaņa culture. This Muni-Śramaņa culture is pre-Vedic and pre-Aryan. Fuller information about this culture can be had from Jain sources. A Muni or Áramana is he who practises the perfect Vows of Truth, Non-Violence, Non-Stealing Complete continence and Non-Attachment". This Pre-Vedic and pre-Aryan śramaņa culture of Bhārata is of singular significance in this region from Egypt to Bhārata as it is found here in its pristine glory.
We find Munis, Siśna devas and Siśnadevis represented on the Indus art. The three-headed Yogi, the spiritualism incarnate, and mother-goddesses have been represented nude. Violent animals stand in the service of the Yogi which means that Matter is under control of the Spirit. We find humanheaded animals and yogi standing under the tree. This is not animism or animatism. It is belief in the existance of Spirit in the animal and vegetation world. Indus art represents the spiritual base of the pre-Aryan Bhāratiya people. Marshall, Mackay and Wheeler misinterpreted these Indus objects as they were not familiar with the institution of Śramaņas and śiśnadevas. They went constantly wandering amongst the people to keep alive faith in spiritual values. Elders imbued with spiritual qualities; themselves simple, self-effacing, with little material possessions, were elected to the Parişads who guided small village and local republics in far-flung areas. They kept aside the forces of