Study of Jainism

Author(s): T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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was based purely on the basis of the division of work and not to be confused with the distinction based on birth as is prevalent today. Rṣabha wanted to bring in efficiency of work on the basis of the capabilities and performances which would lead to economic prosperity of the society. He himself taught his subjects the use of arms and the art of warfare. He is to be considered a kṣatriya in this sense. He moved far and wide in his kingdom and inspired his subjects to promote commerce and he called persons engaged in commerce as Vaisya. He also said that all should be devoted to their duties and serve the people in the capacities best suited to Those who served as them. to unskilled workers were be considered as sudra. This triple division of subjects into three classes did not in any way suggest the superiority or otherwise of one class over the other. All were to be equal in the eyes of Law and society.48.
Study of Jainism
It was at the time of Bharata his son, as Cakravartin that the distinction of Brahmana was also to be introduced. This distinction was introduced not because the Brahmaṇas were superior in birth but because it was found necessary that some among his subjects who have the intellectual ability should be made to take to learning and the imparting of education. In this sense we could say that the teaching feternity and those engaged in meditation and research were to be considered as Brahmanas. 44 Earlier to this period it was not found necessary to classify a section of the population of Brahmanas because all are inherently satvic in nature, essentially good, as also all have the emotional and the conative elements which lead towards only the secular attainments. In this connection we may refer to the modern psychological concept of personality which is an integrated whole of the three characteristics of the cognitive, affective and conative aspects. Thus we find the formation of trivarna by Rṣabha and Caturvarna by Bharata was purely functional and it was not related to the birth of an individual to be classified as Brahmana or Ksatriya. We are here reminded of the division of society by Plato at a much later date, into the guardian class, the soldiers and the working men.
Thus, the king Rsabha brought all-round development among his subjects and saw to it that his subjects were enlightened and