Society Epistemology And Logic In Indian Tradition

Author(s): Dharmchand Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharati Academy

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Society in Jaina Philosophy and Literature
on the basis of its contents, is significant for every householder and monk. It guides a person to live a better personal and social life. It comprises three sections of religion (dharma), property (artha) and pleasure (kāma) and 133 chapters on various subjects related to personality development of a human being. We find various useful thoughts in dharma section on gratitude, impartiality, self-restraint, celibacy, patience, sinful acts, giving alms, vegetarianism, non-violence, truth-speaking etc.; in artha section on qualities of king, learning, illiteracy, gauging of power, choosing the proper time, duties, cruel rule, espionage, strenuous effort, method of action, essential elements of a state, agriculture, mendicancy, way of accumulating wealth, greatness of an army etc. and in kāma section on beauty, love, mutual desire, temporary quarrel etc. The three sections support the Vedic view of three goals of life (trivarga: dharma, artha and kama), but do not support the varṇasrama system of Vedic tradition. It is also to be pointed out that there is explicit acceptance of the fourth goal of salvation (mokṣa-puruṣārtha) in dharma and artha sections of this treatise. Actually, the Thirukkurala requires a separate study to determine its significance from the social point of view.
Somdevasūri in his Nītivākyāmṛta has also discussed dharma, artha and kama along with penal code, polity, defence, war, ethical conduct etc. keeping in view the right path of Indian society.
Impact of Hindu Culture
Acarya Jinasena (late 9th century CE) in his "Adipurāna" has given place to varṇāśrama dharma system of Vedic tradition. He has mentioned that the king Rṣabhadeva