________________
AN INTRODUCTION TO PRATIKRAMAŅA
Avaśyaka occupies such an important place in the Jaina community as does Sandhyā in the Vedic, Khoradeha Avesta in the Zoroastrian, Prărthanā (Prayer) in the Jew and the Christian and Namaj in the Muslim.
Jaina community is divided into two main sects - Svetāmbara and Digambara. Again, Svelămbara sect has two branches - Mūrtipūjaka and Sthānakavāsi. In these two branches six essential acts are performed daily regularly. Monks of these two branches have to necessarily perform these acts in accrodance with the tradition. Devoted Jaina laymen staunchly observe them. All others voluntarily practise them.
What is called avasyaka kriyā (essential act)? What is āvasyaka (Kriyā)? What is the nature of āvaśyaka kriyā ? What are its types and what is their order? Why is āvasyaka kriyā regarded as spiritual? First of all we should clearly understand these questions.
What is called ávaśyaka kriyā ?
From the standpoint of verbal meaning, that act (kriyā) which one ought to perform is called āvaśyaka kriya. The definition of āvaśyaka, in short, is : that act the performance of which is absolutely necessary for the manifestation of the qualities knowledge etc. is āvaśyaka. Such an āvasyaka is of the nature of jñāna (knowledge) and kriya (activity) both. In other words, it is an activity done consciously with full knowledge. The āvuśyaka kriyā is also called āvāsaka (impressor) on account of its function of impressing soul with good qualities. In Vedic philosophy the term nityakurma has the same meaning which the term avuśyuka (kriyā) has in the Jaina tradition. In Jaina philosophy avasya kartavya, nigraha, višodhi, adhyayanaşarkavarga, nyāya-ārādhanā, mārga, etc. are synonyms.
