Most Ancient Aryan Society

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

Page 71

( 44 ) however unjust it may seem ; the righteous man confesses his sins and awaits his liberation from suffering. When liberation is achieved, the suffering is turned into joy. The suffering of the Sumerian originated from his convictions in self-control, conscious effacement, fellow-feeling and in the living belief in immortality. The Sumerians did not enjoy life because they did not want to usurp to themselves alone the material benefits ; thus depriving their fellow beings of them. They believed that self-suffering would make their souls purer accompanied with the firm assurance that the fruits of their suffering would ripen in a better future life. They extended the quality of their suffering to this extent that they accepted voluntary death in the assurance of a life to come. The famous excavator of Ur, Sir Leonard Woolley had dug many graves, which he calls Royal Cemetery, wherein many dead bodies are found in straight and happy postures. Some bodies of women are wearing ornaments of gold, lapis lazule, silver and other precious metals. No single grave has any figure of a god. The graves contain many dead bodies indicating voluntary group deaths. So many people could not be forced to accept death on the expiry of a single person ; royal or otherwise, to accompany him in the future life. Woolley also concedes that all this paraphernalia indicates that the dead persons had belief in future life.18 Compulsory death at the order of some one else does not bring a happy future life. It is only voluntary suffering that assures a better future life. This phenomenon goes very deep and nearer to the Jain belief in Samlekhanā Samthārā (Voluntary spiritual Death).
Gilgamesh was the fifth ruler of the first post-diluvian dynasty of Uruk. He was ordained to enjoy kingship but