Sambodhi 2004 Vol 27

Author(s): J B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 51

Vol. XXVII, 2004
(E) UTOPTIA AND (E)UCHRONIA IN....
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measures of bulk, weight, linear measures and jewllers' weight in objects; boats; and gems, etc.,
At that time was istituted count-procedure plaintiff and defendant with king, magistrate, court-house, and witnesses. Worship of elephants, etc., archery, medicine, attendance on kings, etc., battle, science of politics, binding, beating, killing, and organizations arose then.
With so much of trade and commerce and litigation, the sense of private operty extended to families as well. Extreme selfishness of the people, saying "that is my father, mother, brother, wife, son, house, money," and things like that, commenced from that time. The twins having seen the master decorated and ornmented at the wedding, followed his example. This also led to the introduction of the custom of marriage. Instead of twin marriage, the girls were given to their half-brothers. “Then also began tonsure and initiation, battlecries, and enquiries." Rsabha introduced all this even though he knew them to be censorable.
Last but not the least, there came caste divisions:
Then, as the stage director of the play of the order of the world, he made the people into four divisions : Ugras, Bhogas, Rājanyas, and Ksātras. The Ugras were th guardsmen, appointed to give cruel punishments; the Bhogas were the ministers, etc., of the Lord, like the Trāyastriñías of Hari. The Rājanyas were the companions of the Lord, and other people were Ksatriyas by name.
The omision of Brāhmana, vaisya and Śūdras as castes is worth noting.
The task of Rsabha was over. The "Iron Age" is marked by the loss of innocence, niggardliness of nature and vices originating from private property. The state came into being with its iron laws. Hemacandra apparently approves of the 'new order of customs and law' promulgated by Rsabha. He ends the account of progressive degeneration in the following way :
The son of Nābhi (sc. Rsabha) prescribed a punishment according to the crime for those deserving punishment, just as a doctor prescribes a medicine for the sick according to the disease. Terrified of punishment, the people did not commit theft, etc. at all. Verily the law of punishment alone is a snakecharmer for the serpent of all crime. No one crossed the boundary of anyone else's fields, gardens. houses. etc., as the people, well-taught, did not transgress the Lord's command. At the proper time the coulds rained for the maturity of the grain as if praising the Lord of the World's law under the pretext of thundering. The