Purusharthsiddhyupay English

SR No.: 001105
Original Sutra Author: Amrutchandracharya
Author: Ajit Prasad
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown
Publication Year: 1933
Total Pages: 160
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English, Ethics, & Principle
File Size: 11 MB

Page 107

THE SACRED BOOKS OF THE JAINAS
89. One should not kill himself by zealously giving one's own flesh as food to another starving person, seen approaching in front.
Commentary. Self-sacrifice, literally speaking, was also at one time considered an act of religious piety, It is undoubtedly Himsa, Attempt at suicide is a criminal offence.
को नाम विशति मोहं नयभङ्गविशारदानुपास्य गुरून् । विदितजिनमतरहस्यः श्रयन्नहिंसां विशुद्धमतिः॥६॥ · 90. What person is there who, having a clear intellect, having served teachers well-versed in the various points of view, having realized the essence of the Jaina religion and having adopted Ahimsa, would yield to the delusions (set forth above.)
Commentary. Verses 43 to 90 deal with Ahimsa. It is either Autsargiki Nivritti. or Apavadiki Nivritti. Autsargiki is defined in verse 76, as complete Ahimsa in 9 ways, by self, through another, or by approbation, and in each case through mind, body, or speech. That which is not complete, is Apavadiki, and its degrees and forms are innumerable, varying from the slightest to that which just falls short of being complete.
Himsa is also classified as Samka! pi or Arambhi. Samkalpi is what which is committed with the sole intention of Himsa, without any justifying reason whatsoever behind it. Arambhi is committed unavoidably, by house-holders in the performance of various duties and occupations. Saint Amitgati, an Acharya contemporary with Saint Amrit Chandra the author of this book, in the 6th Chapter of Shrávakáchára says :
हिंसा द्वेधा प्रोक्तारम्भानारम्भजवतो दक्ष्यैः । ग्रहवासतो निवृत्तो वेधाऽपि त्रायते तां च॥६॥ ग्रहवाससेवनरतो मन्दकषायः प्रवर्तितारम्भः।
भारम्भजां स हिंसां शक्नोति न रक्षितुं नियतम् ॥७॥ Himsa has, by the learned, been said to be of two kinds, Árambhaja, arising from occupations, and Anárambhaja, not due to any occupation. He who has renounced the life of a householder, certainly avoids both kinds. One with mild passion, while living the life of a house-holder, cannot of course avoid Árambhaja Himsa when performing various occupations.