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English Translation (preserving Jain terms):
Description of the Five Transgressions of the First Anu Vrata
Explanation of Verse 90 from the Third Illumination of the Yogashastra:
These are the five transgressions of the first Anu Vrata of Ahimsa (non-violence):
1. Tightly binding animals like cows, buffaloes, etc. with ropes, etc. in a way that they cannot get free, and keeping them permanently under control. However, if one binds their son, etc. for the purpose of beneficial instruction or to restrain their unruliness, it is not a transgression, because the word 'krodhat' (out of anger) in the original verse indicates that binding done out of the arising of extremely strong passions is the first transgression.
2. Cutting off the limbs or skin of someone out of anger or hatred, such as cutting off a person's or animal's hand, foot, head, etc. or piercing them with a knife, is the second transgression.
3. Loading an excessive burden on the shoulders, back or head of animals like cows, bulls, camels, donkeys, or humans, more than they can easily carry or pull, is the third transgression.
4. Beating or hitting any innocent animal or person with a stick, rod, whip or any weapon, or sawing with an iron saw, throwing stones, etc. out of anger or hatred, falls under the fourth transgression.
5. Withholding food, water or fodder from any animal or person out of anger, hatred, etc. is the fifth transgression.
The Aavashyaka Churni has described the rules regarding binding. Binding of two-legged beings (humans) and four-legged animals can be of two types - meaningful and meaningless. Meaningless binding is never appropriate. Meaningful binding is also of two types - relative and absolute. Absolute binding is to be avoided.
Relative binding is when binding is not done out of passions, but even an innocent one has to be bound with ropes, etc. However, the knot should not be tied too tightly, but loosely, so that it can be easily opened or cut when the time comes. Absolute binding is when the knot is tied extremely tightly and firmly, so that it cannot be opened even in times of calamity. Sometimes the knot is tied so firmly that the poor animal cannot break free even if a fire breaks out, and it ends up burning to death there.
Among two-legged beings (humans), slaves, thieves, lazy students, etc. may be bound for the purpose of beneficial instruction, so that the binding can be easily removed when the time comes. But in absolute binding, no such consideration is made. Therefore, whether it is a two-legged (human) or four-legged (animal) being, absolute binding is to be avoided in all circumstances, while relative binding is pardonable.
In fact, we should habituate animals and humans to live in such places where they can stay without any binding. Amputation or cutting of skin should also be understood as relative and absolute. Ruthlessly cutting off someone's limbs, hands, feet, nose, etc. or gouging out their eyes is absolute amputation, which is not good. But if there is a boil or abscess on the body, and it needs to be lanced or the affected part burned for treatment, that is relative amputation.
Overloading is also not right from the perspective of non-violence. Ideally, the Shravaka (lay follower) should give up using carts or mounts with two-legged or four-legged beings. If there is no other livelihood, only as much load should be placed on humans as they can easily carry themselves. For four-legged animals like oxen, only as much weight should be loaded in the plow, cart, chariot, etc. as they can easily carry or pull, and they should also be released on time.
Similarly, there are two types of beating - relative and absolute. If an uncivil, unruly or criminal person needs to be punished, it should not be done out of cruelty or hatred, but by showing them a stick or giving them a mild beating, as appropriate, to put them back on the right path. In relative beating, if one has to beat their son, etc. for not obeying or being unruly, they should avoid the vital parts and, with compassion in the heart, give them a light kick, punch or slap once or twice. Beating the vital parts out of cruelty, hatred or anger is absolute beating, which is not appropriate.
Withholding food and water also has four types - meaningful, meaningless, relative and absolute. Completely cutting off someone's food and drink can sometimes lead them to die of hunger and thirst, suffering anguished meditation. Therefore, in the case of an enemy or criminal, one should not completely deprive them, but provide them with the minimum necessary.