Essay name: Studies in the Upapuranas
Author: R. C. Hazra
This book studies the Upapuranas: a vast category of (often Sanskrit) literature representing significant historical, religious, and cultural insights of the ancient Indian civilization. These texts provide rich information, especially on Hinduism covering theology, mythology, rituals, and dynastic genealogies.
Page 343 of: Studies in the Upapuranas
343 (of 417)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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STUDIES IN THE UPAPURĀṆAS
uses the name 'Pasanda' for the Buddhists and the Tantriks and
defines it saying:
"As the Bauddhas decry the Vedas, they are called PÄá¹£aṇá¸ins"
(14.70),
"Those who have ceased to perform the sacrifices to the gods and
Pitrs and strayed from the Vedic way (of life), are well-known as
Pasandas and undergo a multitude of sufferings" (14. 186),
"A PÄá¹£anda is so called by the wise on account of his forsaking
the duties of his own caste" (22. 9),
"One who, after forsaking his own (lawful) work, takes to the
work of others, is known as a PÄá¹£aṇá¸a and thrown outside (the pale of)
all (Srauta and SmÄrta) Dharma" (23. 2), and
"That cunning twice-born mortal, who does not perform SamdhyÄ
(i.e. the morning, noon and evening prayer) in times when there is no
calamity, is known as a Pasanda and placed outside all (Srauta and
Smärta) work" (25. 29).
a
That in the above passages the name PÄá¹£aṇá¸a was applied for the
Tantriks also is shown by the mention at several places of the worship
of the Linga or the images of Visṇu and Siva by the Pasandas. For
instance, in chap. 14 the Bá¹›hannÄradÄ«ya-p. says that 'by saluting:
Linga worshipped by the Pasandas one is reduced to the state of a
PÄá¹£anda even though he may be versed in the Vedas and know the
meanings of all SÄstras' (verse 56), and that '(a twice-born man) must
not worship even in dream (an image of) Visnu or Samkara (which
has been) worshipped by those who have forsaken the customs and
usages (ÄcÄra) of their own orders of life' (verse 61). As these extra-
Vedic sectaries did not follow the Vedic way of life and disproved the
efficacy of Vedic sacrifices by puzzling argumentation, and as associa
tion with them made others acquire their habits (21. 53-55), the
BrhannÄradÄ«ya-p. repeatedly warns people against talking,¹ or having
any other kind of contact, with them. It says:
150 "One who enters the house of a Bauddha even in great distress,
has no escape (from sin) even by (practising) hundreds of penances.
"The Bauddhas are called Paá¹£aná¸ins, because they decry the Vedas.
150 Ibid., 17. 20 (pÄá¹£aṇá¸ÄlÄpa-varjitaá¸�).
