Path of Arhat

Author(s): T U Mehta
Publisher: Sohanlal Smarak Parshwanath Shodhpitha Varanasi

Page 28

Origins in Eternity
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expounded by Tírtharkaras such as Rşabha, Pārsva, Mah1vira etc. These Sramanas believed in soul's potentiality to achieve God-hood, through its own exertions, the theory of transmigration and Karma and the existence of Jíva in all sentient things. The word "Srama' ( 978 ) means labour. They were called Sramaņas because of the labour, they were taking in observing strict austerities, by dwelling in forests and renouncing the worldly affairs. Aryans were a nomadic race and as such were not trained in the sophisticated philosophical thinking of the fully settled and prosperous people of Indus valley culture whom they invaded and conquered. As Pt. Sukhalaljil points out, the attitude towards life of the people who are settled and prosperous, and of those who are leading a nomadic existence would be basically different. The attitude of the former would be more introvert, while that of the latter would be more extrovert. This really happened in case of Aryans who came to India. They were in search of a happy and peaceful life wherein they could enjoy the materialistic objects to the full. Rgveda reflects this attitude when its I pray to different Gods of Nature for fulfilment of their earthly desires and the destruction of their ememies. However, after the Aryans began to settle in the fertile lands of Indo-Gangetic plains they also began to think deeply, and gradually imbibed the philosophical ideas of the indigenous culture. This fact has been commendably presented in the following words of Pt. Sukhalal Sarghavi? -. "The Sramapa line of thinking, which had influenced the original residents of India, was of serious and introvert nature. In 'Kesi-sūkta’ of Rgveda (10.36 ) we find a strange pen picture of Munis having locks of hair on head, dirty and ochre-robbed, flying in air, drinking poison, delicious by “Mauneya' and 'Devesita'. This siūkia thus indicates the distinct class of Munis who were practising 1. Sanghavi, Pt. Sukhalal : Mahavíra Ki Aitihasika Prștha
bhūmi. 2. Mahivirani Aitihusika Prsthabhūm