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## Sixteenth Uddeshak
[359]
It is tied by giving a knot behind the neck after covering it, and it is also square. Its proof is as much as one should understand from the aforementioned method. It is necessary to keep one each of both types of mukhavastrikas for every Shraman and Shramani.
The commentary on the 694th gatha of the Aodhaniyukti also mentions that the mukhavastrikas are square and sixteen angulas in size. For this reason, the commentary texts of the Chhedasutras do not mention the length and width of the mukhavastrikas separately, but only the measurement of sixteen angulas. Due to lack of knowledge of this statement of Aodhaniyukti, or not considering it as suitable evidence, modern Acharyas have imagined a length of twenty-one angulas and a width of sixteen angulas. But the original evidence is only of a square mukhavastrikas of sixteen angulas.
The purpose of both types of mukhavastrikas is explained in gatha 712. Its commentary is as follows:
"Sampatim satvarakshanarth jalpadbhimukhe diyate," "Tatha nasikamukham badhnati taya mukhavastrikaya vasati pramardayan, yena na mukhadau raja pravishati iti."
The mukhavastrikas are kept on the mouth while speaking to protect the Sampatim beings, and while cleaning the upashraya, the mukhavastrikas are tied to prevent fine dust from entering the mouth and nose. In the commentary of Uttara. A. 3, the reason for keeping the mukhavastrikas is explained as follows:
Santi sampatimaḥ satvāḥ, sūkshmaśca vyāpino 'pare. Teṣām rakṣānimittaṁ ca, vijñeyā mukhavastrikāḥ.
-Abhi. Rajendra Kosh Bha. 6, page 333 Meaning - It should be understood that the 'mukhavastrikas' are kept for the protection of Sampatim beings and other subtle beings that spread everywhere.
In Bhagavati Sutra Sh. 16, U. 2, the language spoken with an open mouth is called Savad. A Muni is a renunciant of Savad language.
Even the Jinkalpi, etc., who are mendicants without clothes and without power, are required to keep mukhavastrikas. Because mukhavastrikas and rajoharan are essential tools of the Muni symbol.
For proof, see: 1. Brihatkalp U. 3, commentary on gatha 3963 2. Nishita U. 2, commentary on gatha 1391 3. Abhidhan Rajendra Kosh Part 4 'Jinkapp' page 1489,
-Pracha. Shru. 1 A. 2 commentary 4. Abhidhan Rajendra Kosh Part 6 'Lingkapp' page 656.
-Panchakalp: Bhashya and Churni, Kalp 2