History of Jaina Monachism

SR No.: 001727
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S B Deo
Publisher: Deccan College Research Institute
Publication Year: 1956
Total Pages: 616
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Principle, & History
File Size: 12 MB

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S. B. DEO Size and the Use of Each :
The yaşti was of the height of a man (ātmapramānā), and was used in tying the javaniyā (curtain). The viyaşti was four angulas more than one's own height and served the purpose of uvassayabāraghattani (closing the entrance of the monastery ?). The danda was as high as the arms (bāhupramāņa), and was used while on the begging round. The vidandaga was upto the armpit in height (kaksāpramāna), and it was used in rainy season to protect oneself from the rain.351
The sole purpose for which a yaşti was used was to protect oneself from animals like dog, etc. or as a support in muddy, uneven or watery regions.352
Qualities of a Staff :
Raw, coloured or variously coloured wooden, bamboo and cane sticks were disallowed.353 A stick with one joint (pava) 354 was praised, that which had two joints led to quarrel; that with three joints led to gain, with four to death, with five to warding off of quarrel along the road, with six to disease, with seven to health. That stick which was four angulas at the base and eight angulas at the top was said to be of good use in dispelling wild elephants. That which had eight pavvas led to loss, that with nine led to victory and that which had ten joints led to the acquisition of everything.
Besides this number of joints, a stick which was curved, eaten up by worms, of variegated colours, burnt up, dried at the top, of uneven distance between different joints, broken, of rough colour, slender at the joint, whose eyes (acchi) had not come out, thick, unstable, or which was not likely to last long (asārajaradhā), was condemned. On the other hand, such a one as had fully grown and thick joints, which was oily, smooth to touch, stout, having soft and round pavvas was said to be beneficial to the monks.355 BEDDING:
The bedding or Santhāra consisted either of grass, or of a plank of wood, or of a slab of stone,356
351. Besides these, the commentary to the Ogha-N. (p. 218a) mentions Nalika which was four angulas more in height than one's own, and was used to verify the depth of water (jalathāö) in rainy season; for 'Danda' and 'Vidandaga', see Pinda-N. Comm. p.19b, footnote.
352. Ogha-N. 739. 353. Nis. 5, 25-33. 354. 'Per in Marāthī. 355. Ogha-N., 731-39. 356. Daśāśruta., 7, 9; 'Santhāraga' in Bhag. 374b.