Jaina Phraseology in the Bhagavadgita
By K. H. Kamdar
Summary
K. H. Kamdar highlights parallels between Jaina terminology and concepts and those in the Bhagavad Gita. He observes that phrases such as prajñāvāda and instructions to abstain from injury are common to both traditions. The Jain five vows, classified as aṇu (minor) and mahā (major), correspond in spirit to the Gita’s exhortations to self‑control and non‑violence. Verses in the first and second discourses of the Gita express Arjuna’s reluctance to kill and his preference for non‑resistance, echoing Jain principles like praṇātipātaviramaṇam. The article draws attention to verse 69 of the Gita’s second discourse, which mirrors imagery found in the Ācāranga Sūtra, and to the use of the term prajñāvāda in both texts. Kamdar cites prior scholars who noted similar cross‑sectarian vocabulary. He suggests that the shared lexicon reflects a common cultural milieu rather than direct borrowing and calls for further comparative study of Indian religious phraseology.
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Conclusion
By cataloguing shared phrases and ethical concepts, the article reveals that Jain scriptures and the Bhagavad Gita drew on a common pool of religious vocabulary. The parallels highlight India’s interconnected philosophical traditions and encourage scholars to explore how ideas about non‑violence and self‑discipline circulated across sectarian boundaries.