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50: Śramaņa, Vol 63, No. 1, Jan.-Mar. 2012
life, cosmic harmony and world peace. They provide a good model for social, political, economic, business and commerce, health, science and technology and all other types of planning and management. The theory of puruṣārtha put forth in Jainism provides a pattern of planned, purposive, methodological and conscious endeavour for a rational, free and responsible human agent to realize the goals of life by proper management of modes of knowing, end, means, modalities and fruits of actions. It also involves regulation of will and effort. It is hoped that the noble ideals and virtuous practices enshrined in the Jaina tradition get spread and permeated all over the world as they are meant for the entire human kind.
III
Jainism as a 'darśana' has strong theoretical foundation in the multifaceted non-absolutistic understanding of the nature of reality (anekānta) which is unitary as well as variegated. This theoretical base provides ground for the doctrine of naya3 (standpoints) which stands for perspectival and situational adherence to the norms of moral conduct and pious living. Thus, Jainism advocates democratic mode of thinking and way of living.
There are three facets of the Śramanic tradition derived from three formulations of the word ' Śramana', viz., śama, s'ama and s'rama. A Śramana is one who has equanimity of mind and who treats all beings as equal. Such a person is known as 'sāmāyika',i.e., one who practices samatvam. In the Ṛgveda and the Bhagavadgita there is great emphasis on samatva. The 'sthitaprajña' of the Gītā is 'samadarsi'. A śramana is also one who practices self-control. He has to lead a disciplined life. Ethical rules and regulations prescribed in the Śramana tradition are very rigorous. Though for the householder there are relaxations and they are a little moderate but for the monks and nuns they are very hard. It is ordained that without strict moral conduct there cannot be spiritual realization. Spirituality has been the backbone and orientation of Indian culture at all the times. Practice of equality and self-control have been the hallmarks
