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DR. RAJJAN KUMAR
SAMBODHI
We learn about the Arhata tradition and also acquint with its relationship to vrātya tradition. Here it is mentioned that the Munis who are cited in the Rgveda as the Vatarašanāmunis must be belonging to the Arhata tradition. Sāyana calls these Vātarašanāmunis 'Atindriyārthdarśī, who aim at the goal beyond senses.19 Keśī and some other munis are also mentioned as the Vrātyas.20 Śrimadbhāgavata Purāņa refers the name of Rsabhadeva as the chief religious leader of these munis and describes him as the Nabhiputra (the navel-born).21 Many archaeological evidences testify to the antiquity of the Jainadharma and the Tirthankaras. In the Jaina literature also the word 'Ārhat' has been recognised for a Tirthankara.22
The word 'Ārhat were frequently used for each of the Tirthankara upto the time of Tirthankara Pārsva. But from the time of Lord Mahāvīra, a new word 'Nirgrantha' was incorporate in place of Ārhata. Nirgrantha means free from encumbrances came into vogue.23 The word 'Nirgrantha' was referred in Buddhist texts for Lord Mahāvīra as niggantha nātaputta (Nirgrantha Nāthaputra).24 In the inscriptions of Ashoka, the great too we find use of the word Niggantha 25 Even afterwards, later than the period of Lord Mahāvīra till those Eight Ganadharas and the Ācāryas the word 'Nirgrantha' continued to be used in the main. Some Vedic works have also made use of it.
Nirvrtti and Pravrtti are two terms referred for the outlook of lifestyle. Nirvrtti means inactive while pravṛtti defines action, but this is not the only meaning of these two words. We shall just give up that kind of discussion and come to the point which culture adopt nirvrtti vrtti and which one accepts pravrtti. Tradition shows that śramanic culture has nirvrtti tendencies and the. Vedicism adopts pravrttidharma. Nirvṛttamārgi refers Sanyāsa in the most prevailed action while Pravrttamārgi mentions grhasthacaryā in the most effecting life style. But both are essential to maintain a society and spiritual demand. Uttarādhyayanasūtra explained that either a householder or a monk, who is free from passions and attachments and adorns penances. attains godhood. 26 The Gītā defines both the life styles are equally important but Sanyāsamārga is fit for those who are jñānī and karmamārga is established for action-loving people.27
The Sramana outlook towards life, being introvert in nature was known as Nirvrtti Dharma, while that of Vedic Aryans being extrovert in nature was known as Pravrtti Dharma. This basic difference of approach marked the advent of different theories in the field of philosophy. One sought to achieve the absolute by withdrawing from the worldly affairs, undergoing the process of pratikraman (returning back to soul). The other sought to achieve the same by undergoing
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