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BHAKTI IN JAIN TRADITION
Dr. Kamini Gogri
Bhakti in Indian tradition has been described as one of the three paths of liberation, the others two being- Jñāna and Karma. Almost scholarship on Jains has approached Jain Bhakti as merely a 'borrowing' from the Hindu tradition. Because in the original fabric of Jainism, being a heterodox system, there was no place of Bhakti. Later on, with the impact of Hinduism, Bhakti crept in Jainism and worship of Tīrthankaras as God became prominent. In this article the author has given a critical account of her observation on Bhakti based on Jain literature. - The Editor
Jainism being a representative of śramaņa tradition upholds the path of self-effort to achieve liberation. The path of selfeffort means an individual has to follow the twelve steps of Nirjarā (efflux) preceded by Samyakjñāna, Darśana and Cāritra (right Knowledge, faith and conduct). This path is treaded by some individuals and they have attained salvation. Some of those who have attained liberation have shown this path to the masses; these are known as the Tīrtharkaras. In the due course of time these Tīrthankaras who have shown the path started being worshipped by the masses and also the Śramaņas themselves.
The human person lives at various levels; biological, psychological, rational and spiritual. At biological level it nurtures itself through food, water etc. At psychological level emotions plays an important role in shaping behavior of individual life. In the intellectual level a person caters to reason and in the spiritual realm all ceases and person is transformed completely.
Bhakti in Jain tradition is attached to the Tīrthankaras, because at one level they provide a deep sense of security to the masses. This
