摘要
There is no manual on masculinity in early India and yet the idea of perfect man runs through Sanskrit,Pali,and Prakrit texts.That the Sanskrit traditions should construct an image of perfect man is understandable.There is thrust on virility and procreation;procreation of a son who would inherit land and carry the lineage further.Strong and healthy men were needed to protect society and for the purpose of production.While this is understandable in a tradition that emphasizes life of a householder,one does find the concept of a complete man a little paradoxical in literature of monastic traditions that promote celibate existence for their monks.The monks were also kept away from both productive activities as well as from the responsibility of providing security to others.The focus was clearly on acquisition of knowledge and spiritual ascension.So what could push the construction of the notion of a perfect man?A closer exploration of Buddhist and Jain texts makes the complexity comprehensible as would be revealed by the study.
