Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c11.s2.t1.6

c11.s2.t1.6

In its controversial zeal, the Ādi Purāṇa contradicts itself and implies that when Bharata instituted his order of Brāhmaṇas, there were ordinary Brāhmaṇas in existence. Elsewhere it declares that the first Brāhmaṇas were Jainas, could be realised like the milkman milking the cows without causing hardship to the people. Jainism declares Ahimsā or non-violence to be the essence of religion but Jaina political theory idealises universal conquest.¹