Study in the Origins and Development of Jainism

Author(s): S N Shrivastava
Publisher: Rekha Publication Gorakhpur

Page 27

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A Study in the Origins and Development of Jainism
and sanyasi became synonymous. The muni tradition got merged into sanyãsa.
The yatis were also not connected with śramaņa tradition as has been held by some scholars. The word yati is an Aryan term and is derived from the root yat-yãt. According to Benviniste. Belley, Toporov and V. S. Pathak the original meaning of this root is to 'assign the proper place' and 'distribute the necessities'. Derivatively, it meant 'god', particularly, Mitra who determines the fate of god worshipper.
The root yat-yãt has been numerously used in the Rigveda in the context of Mitravaruņa. It has been used in the Avestã as well in the context of Mithra-Mihira. Thus the conclusion becomes irresistible that the yati was associated with Mitra-Varuņa and Mithra-Mihira. The yatis are also associated with Bhriguss6. Angirasas" and Āsuras58. Bhrigus, Angirasas and Atharvans were pre-Rigvedic Indo-Aryans.
Thus, the tradition of yatis is Indo-Iranian tradition. It was gradually lost and the surviving term yati came to be used in sense of parivrājakas and śramaņas".