Studies in Jain Literature

Author(s): V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre

Page 19

CHARACTER OF JAIN MYTHOLOGY
1. RELIGION AND MYTHOLOGY
Religion and mythology are always intimately connected with each other. "Works on mythology clothe with flesh and blood, the bony framework of spiritual truths and ethical code as set forth in sacred literature. Without such a body of flesh and bone, the mere life-force of the sacred texts cannot function with effect. It is of course, equally true that without such life-force the mere mass of flesh and bone will decay." The Purānas popularize the truths taught in the sacred books by presenting them in relation to individual men and women and to the events of their lives. They explain, illustrate and inculcate the moral principles stated in them. 2. THE DEFINITION OF MAHĀ-PURĀŅA
Jinasena, the author of the Adi-Purāna, says: "I shall describe the narrative of 63 ancient persons, viz., the (24) Tīrthakaras, the (12) Cakravartins, (9) Baladevas, (9) Ardha-Cakravartins (i. e., Vasudevas) and their enemies (i. e., Prativāsudevas). The word Purāna meant 'old or ancient narrative'. It is called 'great' because it relates to the great (personages), or because it is narrated by the great (Tirthakaras, Ganadharas or Ācāryas) or because it teaches (the way to) supreme bliss. Other learned men say that it is called Purāna because it originates with an old poet and it is called great because of its intrinsic greatness. The great rșis called it a Mahāpurāņa as it relates to great men and teaches (the way to) supreme bliss." And he adds that "the Mahā-Purāna is regarded 'Ārsa' because it was composed by rsis, 'Sūkta' as it expounds truth and 'Dharma-śāstra' as it declares Dharma. It is also looked upon as Itihāsa, Itivrtta, or Aitihya or Amnāya as it contains many stories about 'Iti-h-āsa' (--so it has been' i. e., 'traditional history')2. Thus according to Jinasena, Purāna and Itihāsa are synonymous terms. A Tippaņa-Kāra of Puspadanta's Mahāpurāņa, however, makes a distinction between the two, saying that Itihāsa means the narrative of a single individual while Purāņa means the narratives of 63 great men of the