Social
Conditions
Social conditions in the time of Mahavira were more
ripe for the change. India has always been a stinkingly casteridden
society, which, in those days was dominated by a priestly order, which was
socially and economically interested in tightening its hold on the social
and political structure through the monopoly of its knowledge of
sacrificial rituals. Birth, and not the profession or merits, was the
criterion to decide the caste complexion. Knowledge of scriptures was not
open to Sudras, the lower castes. Untouchables were social out-castes and
their condition was full of miseries. Even their sight was considered
inauspicious. Inequality was the rule of the day. Women, who had equal
status with men in earlier centuries, were treated more or less as
personal property of their husbands. To have more than one wife was
considered prestigious by the rich. There were special and more favourable
laws for Brahmins. The system of slavery had taken roots. Human slaves
were sold, purchased and gifted. Defeated king's family and subjects were
taken in booty as slaves. Princes were fighting amongst themselves for
trivial causes and mostly for expansion of their territories even though
some of them were related to each other by blood. Human happiness in this
and the other world was dependent on the favours of gods who could be
pleased only be sacrificial rituals. Various types of animals and
sometimes even human beings were sacrificed to please gods. These
sacrificial rituals were to be performed only in the prescribed manner and
through particular class of Brahmins who had specialized in the subject.
These Brahmins were gifted with land and cows for the sacrificial services
rendered by them. This class was thus interested in perpetuating these
rituals. Samskrta was the language of the elite. Scriptures were written
and preached in Samskrta, which was not spoken or understood by common
man. Sudras were not allowed to learn or speak Samskrta.
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Philosophy
