Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 3

Author(s): R P Poddar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 76

UTTARJJHAYANA AND SOCIO-RELIGIOUS FORMALISM
69
conduct, calm and clear by its own nature, for the latter alone was efficacious in washing out sins.18
Chapter XXV relates the Confrontation of Brāhmana twins Jayaghosa and Vijayaghosa. The former had taken to the path of spiritual sacrifice based on self-control quite early in life whereas the latter was given to material sacrifices involving killing of animals and offering of oblations into the fire. Once Jayaghosa, the ascetic, entered the sacrificial enclosure of Vijayaghosa to beg food for breaking his religious fast of one month. But he was refused on the ground that the sacrificial food could be given to those Brāhmaṇas only who were learned in the Vedas, consecrated with purificatory rites and well-versed in astronomy etc. and not to a monk like him for the former alone could bring redemption to themselves and the society. Then Jayaghoṣa explains that the real sacrifice is the spiritual one, in which the sacrificer offers the oblation of his accumulated Karmas into the fire of penances and austerities. 19 Further he adds that a real Brāhamana is not one born of Brāhmaṇa parents, consecrated with purificatory rites and versed in the Vedas but the one who ridding himself of anger and attachment, practises austerities and abstains from causing injury to life etc. Such a one is capable of redeeming oneself and others, not he who sacrifices animals and thereby accumulates sins.
He knocks out the bottom of all formalism of outfits and appearances by declaring that One does not become a 'Samana' by shaving off one's head, a 'Brahmana' by chanting the Vedic hymns, a Muni' by retiring to hermitage or a "Tāpasa' by wearing kusagrass. In reality one becomes a
18. धम्मे हरए बम्भे सन्तितित्थे अणाविले अत्तपसन्नलेसे । जहिं सिणाओ विमलो विसुद्धो सुसीइभूओ पजहामि दोसं ।।
"उत्तर.XII, 46. 19. Vide सर्वार्थसिद्धिटीका of कमलसंयम उपाध्याय
वेयाणं च मुहं बूहि-बूहि जन्नाण जं मुहं । नक्खत्ताण मुहं बूहि-बूहि धम्माण वा मुहं ॥
"उत्तर. XXV, 14. अग्गिहुत्तमुहावेया जन्नट्ठी वेयसां मुहं । नक्खत्ताण मुहं चन्दो धम्माणं कासवो मुहं ॥
"उत्तर० XXV, 16. Cf. अग्णिहुत्तमुखा यञ्मा, साबित्ती छन्दसो मुखं ।
राजा मुखं मनुस्सानं, नदीनं सागरो मुखं ।। नक्खताणं मुखं चन्दो, आदिच्चो तपतं मुखं । पुग्मं आकङ्खमानानं, सङ्घो वे यजतं मुखन्ति ॥
"सृत्तनिपात, सेलसुत्तं (21-22)