Some References pertaining to Agriculture in Jaina Literature
Summary
The article collects and analyses references to agriculture found in canonical and commentarial Jaina literature. The author notes that while Jainism is best known for its ethical teachings and monastic codes, its texts also contain valuable information on rural life and farming techniques. Drawing on works such as the Sthananga, the Upasakadasanga, the Brhatkalpasutra and Silanka’s Tattvaratharajavartika, the article catalogues terms relating to land types, irrigation, crops and agricultural implements. For instance, the term vapi refers to a well or cistern, parivaghita describes a field irrigated by a water-lift, setu denotes a bund or dam, and ketu a raised irrigation channel. Implements include the plough (hala), the clawed seed-fanner (kulida), and the spiked harrow (dantalaka). The article discusses the significance of these references, noting that they reveal an advanced understanding of agricultural techniques. The texts mention different crops such as rice, barley, sesame and pulses, and describe methods of measuring land and produce using units like drona and prastha. The author highlights a passage where the Jaina lawgiver permits monks to accept alms derived from agricultural surplus, implying a symbiotic relationship between monastic and agrarian communities. The paper concludes that the agricultural references in Jaina literature are more than incidental; they reflect the economic background of Jain communities and offer insights into ancient Indian agriculture.
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Conclusion
By assembling scattered references to agriculture in Jaina canonical texts, the article demonstrates that Jain literature preserves detailed knowledge of farming practices and technology. Terms for irrigation structures, implements and crops reveal a sophisticated agrarian economy. The findings show that Jain communities were closely connected to rural life despite their ascetic ideals. These references contribute to the historical study of agriculture in ancient India and underscore the interdisciplinary value of religious texts.