________________
Society, Epistemology and Logic in Indian Tradition
12
who became the first tīrthankara established three varnas namely kșatriya, vaiśya and śūdra. His son Bharata established a new varņa- brāhmaṇa.“ Jinasena has referred to about marriage norms and other sacraments also." He has divided śūdras into two kinds: artisan (kāru) and non-artisan (akāru). Kāru-śūdras were also of two types, one of them were untouchable to other persons." Such description in Jaina literature is considered as an impact of prevalent Vedic or "Brāhmaṇical system.
According to the essence of Jaina philosophy the division of human beings in four varņas of brāhmaṇa, kșatriya, vaisya and śūdra is not real. It is only conventional. A person of low status (nīca-gotra) karma may attain high status (uccagotra) in the same lifespan by adopting great vows (mahāvratas) in real sense. *2
Mahāvīra, gañadharas and ācāryas did not propound separate social norms for Jaina followers, but they suggested some reformations in them. For example animal sacrifice (paśu-bali), ceremony performed in honour of departed spirits (śrāddha) and death feast (mộtyu-bhoja) were not acknowledged by Jaina ācāryas. Although some Jaina families perform śrāddha after the death of their family members and they also organize feast after few days of the death due to effect of Hinduism on them. Marriage ceremonies with seven rounds
28 ĀP: 16. 243-245.
ĀP:16. 246. 30 AP: 16. 247. 31ĀP:16.185-186. »? As discussed by Šāstrī (1989: 130).
