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## Chapter 3: The Minor Vows (Anuvratas)
**The Minor Vows (Anuvratas) are:**
* **Refraining from killing living beings (Pranavada):** This refers to the destruction of life force (Pran), which is characterized by the senses, strength, breath, and lifespan. It does not mean killing a living being (Jiva), as it is impossible to kill a Jiva. As it is said:
> "The one who is constantly bound by the cycle of birth and death, and who is devoid of the means of liberation, is impermanent." (Samyak. Sapta. 61)
> "The destruction of the body, the suffering of the soul, and the entanglement of the mind, this is called killing, which should be avoided with all effort." (Shrav. Prajna. 191)
* **Refraining from lying (Musavada):** This refers to speaking falsely, which can be of two types based on the nature of the falsehood:
* **Based on the nature of the object:** This includes four types:
1. **Falsely claiming the existence of something that does not exist:** For example, claiming that the soul is omnipresent.
2. **Falsely claiming the non-existence of something that exists:** For example, claiming that the soul does not exist.
3. **Falsely attributing something to something else:** For example, saying "This cow is a horse."
4. **Falsely accusing someone:** For example, saying "You are a leper."
* **Based on the motivation behind the lie:** This includes anger, greed, fear, and delusion.
* **Refraining from accepting gifts that are not rightfully yours (Adatta-Paradara-Niyaman):** This refers to accepting gifts that belong to someone else, including:
* **Gifts from a master:** This includes gifts from a king, a teacher, or a spiritual guide.
* **Gifts from a Jiva:** This includes gifts from any living being.
* **Gifts from a Tirthankara:** This includes gifts from a liberated soul.
There are also three types of gifts based on the intention of the giver:
* **Gifts given with a pure intention:** This includes gifts given with love, compassion, and respect.
* **Gifts given with a mixed intention:** This includes gifts given with a mixture of good and bad intentions.
* **Gifts given with a bad intention:** This includes gifts given with greed, anger, or hatred.
* **Refraining from sexual misconduct (Paradara-Niyaman):** This refers to engaging in sexual activity with someone who is not your spouse. It includes any act that violates the sanctity of marriage and the purity of relationships.
**The Minor Vows (Anuvratas) are a set of principles that help us to live a virtuous life. By practicing these vows, we can purify our mind, speech, and actions, and move towards liberation.**
**The meaning of the verse:**
> "Refraining from killing living beings, lying, accepting gifts that are not rightfully yours, and sexual misconduct, these are the Minor Vows (Anuvratas). Refraining from excessive desires is also a Minor Vow (Anuvrata)."
**The verse emphasizes the importance of controlling our desires and living a life of restraint and virtue.**