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[412]
[Nishiy Sutra]
Here, while describing the birth of Bhagwan Mahavira on the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, the second fortnight of the first month of the summer season is called Chaitra Suddha (Sudi). Similarly, there are descriptions elsewhere as well. Therefore, it is scripturally correct to understand that the first day of the next month comes after the full moon.
In common practice, the number (30) thirty is written for the new moon and this is considered the last day of the month. But this belief is not scripturally correct. Many scholars consider this common belief to be based on the presented Sutra (12), but understanding such meaning from this Sutra is misleading. Because this meaning has not been given in the Thananga Tika or the Nishith Churni, and also, deriving such meaning from the text of the mentioned Acharanga A. 15 is against the scriptures.
Therefore, the full moon of Ashadha, Asauj, Kartik and Chaitra and the first day of Shravan, Kartik, Margashirsha and Vaishakh, these eight days should be considered as Asvadhyaya.
Although the full moon of Asauj is mentioned in the Jain scriptures for Indra Mahotsav and also in non-Jain scriptures, different traditions have become prevalent over time in different regions. For example, the Churnikar has mentioned that Indra Mahotsav takes place on the full moon of Shravan in the Lat country. Similarly, due to some reason, the tradition of considering the full moon of Bhadava as a festival day and considering it as Asvadhyaya is prevalent. Due to this, a total of 10 days are considered as Asvadhyaya related to the festival. But this should be understood as only a tradition because there is no original evidence for it.
In the presented Sutra, eight days have been mentioned according to the above description, and performing Swadhyay on them leads to the prescribed atonement mentioned in the Sutra.
Atonement for not performing Swadhyay during the Swadhyay period
13. Je Bhikkhu Chaukalam Uvainavaei, Uvainaventam Va Saizjzai.
13. A monk who spends the four Swadhyay periods without performing Swadhyay or approves of someone who does so. (He receives the Laghuchoumasi atonement.)
Discussion - The first and last Paurashis of the day and the first and last Paurashis of the night, these four Paurashis are the Swadhyay periods according to the Kalikashrat. Not performing Swadhyay in these four periods and spending time in other Vikatha, Pramad etc. is an excess of knowledge, as - "Kale Na Kao Sajjao, Sajjaae Na Sajjaaiyam". Prav. A. 4
Performing this excess leads to the atonement mentioned in the Sutra. The implication is that a monk must perform Swadhyay in all four Paurashis except for essential service work.
Loss due to not performing Swadhyay 1. Not performing Swadhyay causes the previously acquired Shruti to be forgotten. 2. New Shruti is not received and its growth does not occur.