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life of vowfulness has been advocated ail along. A vowless life is no life and can not rise in a straight and direct way. Vows also mean a self disciplined life and living. Without perfect discipline and a strict sense of Dharma ( duty ) no one can rise in any phase of life.
For acquisition of the state of Right Conduct, maintenance of vows-for keeping one in the path of righteousness, is most essential, helpful and necessary.
The reading of right scriptures, doing Puja ( worship ) before the most peaceful image or idol of Lord Tirthankara, and chanting of Mantras, recitation of suitable poems, meditation in the Self, and observing some such ideals which may finally lead to absorption, or concentration of mind in the Self, are all good helps towards the aquisition of Right Conduct. One must keep himself on the right path, continuously, in such a way that he may pot be misled and waver from the right track by mistake or carelessness or through any other means or temptations of the world.
Even a man engaged in the worldly
