The Jaina Contribution to Indian Political Thought
Summary
B. A. Saletore’s article examines the Jaina contribution to Indian political thought, focusing on the works of Jinasena, Somadeva Suri, and Hemacandracarya. The author argues that while early Jaina Sutras present an idealistic political vision, later thinkers like Somadeva and Hemacandracarya developed a pragmatic and realistic approach to governance. The article begins by discussing the Jaina Sutras, which list universal monarchs such as Bharata, Sagara, and Maghavan. These rulers, after realizing worldly pleasures, abdicated their dominions to become ascetics. The Sutras also mention six forms of government, including republics (ganas) and states of anarchy (arajata). However, Saletore notes that scholars like A. S. Altekar, Beni Prasad, and K. P. Jayaswal have offered conflicting and often unconvincing definitions of these political structures, leaving their exact nature uncertain. The author then contrasts the idealism of Jinasena with the realism of Somadeva Suri, who lived in A.D. 959 under the patronage of Yasodhara. In his works, Nitivakyamrtam and Yasastilaka, Somadeva deifies the State, stating that it is the source of dharma and artha. He emphasizes knowledge and rationality in statecraft, aligning closely with Kautilya’s Arthasastra. Somadeva argues that the king’s primary duty is the protection of subjects, which requires strict punishment (danda) and a well-organized army. He also advocates for fair taxation and equality before the law. Saletore highlights Somadeva’s anticipation of Hegel’s concept of the State, noting that he elevated the State to a divine status long before modern political philosophy. Finally, the article discusses Hemacandracarya (A.D. 1089-1173), who served as the guru to Kumarapaladeva of Gujarat. In his Laghu-Arhanniti, Hemacandra blends Jaina idealism with practical governance. He draws on Kautilya’s methods of statecraft, including the use of sama, dana, bheda, and danda in warfare and administration. Saletore emphasizes Hemacandra’s profound influence on Kumarapaladeva, who implemented policies of ahimsa (non-violence) throughout his kingdom, making it a cornerstone of state policy. The author concludes by praising Hemacandra for transforming ahimsa from a negative principle into a positive force for societal progress, thereby cementing the Jaina contribution to Indian political thought.
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Conclusion
The Jaina contribution to Indian political thought, as articulated by authors like Somadeva Suri and Hemacandra, reveals a significant evolution from early idealism to pragmatic realism. While early Jaina Sutras emphasized the renunciation of universal monarchs for asceticism and outlined six forms of government, later thinkers developed sophisticated statecraft. Somadeva Suri notably deified the State as the source of dharma and artha, anticipating Hegelian concepts by emphasizing the king's duty to protect subjects through strict punishment and rational governance. He reinforced Kautilyan principles and advocated for equality before the law. Hemacandra further translated these theories into practice by guiding King Kumarapaladeva to institutionalize ahimsa, transforming it from a personal ethic into a state policy that promoted social progress. Together, these contributions demonstrate the continuity and international significance of Indian political thought, highlighting the Jaina tradition's practical and enduring impact on governance and statecraft.