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Rishibhashit : A Study
73
titled Jannavakk (Yajnavalkya), and with little verbal variation in Dashvaikalik also.
42-45, SOMA, YAMA, VARUNA
AND VAISHRAMAN
The last four chapters of Rishibhashit are about Soma, Yama, Varuna, and Vaishraman respectively. Although they have been stated to be Arhat Rishis in these chapters and according to the appendix, all these four Pratyek Buddhas are believed to have lived during the period of Mahavir, no information about their historicity is available from any source. However, in Jain literature there is mention of a Brahman named Som who was inducted into the tradition of Parshwa. It is also believed that after death he was reborn as Shukra.305 Similarly Varun has been stated as a follower of Sraman tradition, who died in Rath-Musal war, and was reborn as a god. He believed that if one dies in a war he goes to heaven.306
Similarly we find the mention of Yama as father of Yamadagni,307 although it is not clear that the same person is the Yama Rishi of Rishibhashit. Buddhist tradition also mentions some persons named Soma, Varun, etc. but to connect them with these Rishis of Rishibhashit is difficult, Infact in all the three traditions, Jain, Buddhist, and Vedic, they have been accepted as Lokpal (Sector Guardians). Whereas in Jain tradition the four Lokpals are Soma, Yama, Varun, and Vaishraman;308 in the Vedic traditions the four Lokpals are Indra, Agni, Yama, and Varun.309 They are believed to be the preachers of religion. In Upanishads the dialogue between Yama and Nachiketa is very popular. Still
ur are mythological figures not historical persons. The belief that Lokpal, are preachers of religion must have been the cause of including them in Rishibhashit. However, the adjective Arhat Rishi, attached to their names is worth a consideration.
As regards the preachings of these four Rishis, the preachings of the first three, Soma, Yama, and Varun are simply in one verse each. Only the preachings of Vaishraman are in detail and in fifty three verses.
Soma preaches that a mendicant, irrespective of being senior, middle, or junior in grade, should endeavor to acheive more than just a little. 310
Yama preaches that he is best among men, who is not happy by gains and not vexed by losses.311.
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