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Bhagavai 7:2:54-57
-: 541 :
times of them are the non-renouncers.
Bhāsya 1. Sūtras 54-57
All the souls are divided in three classes on the basis of each viz., self-restraint and renunciation (as undertaking of vows), such as:
Classification based on samyama Classification based on pratyākhyāna (1) Self-restrained (samyata)
(1) Renouncers (pratyākhyāni) (2) Non-self-restrained (asamyata)
(2) Non-renouncers (apratyākhyāni) (3) Self-restrained-cum-non-self-restrained (3) Renouncers-cum-non-renouncers (samyatāsamyata)
(pratyākhyānāpratyākhyāni) One who renounces the sinful activities, viz., injury to living beings, falsehood, stealing, sex and possession or the eighteen kinds of sin (by undertaking the vow of abstaining from them) is called pratyākhyāni—the renouncer (as undertaker of vows)'.
Self-restraint (samyama) means abstaining from sinful activity. One who restrains his mind, speech and body is called self-restrained (samyata). A person in whom the psychic propensity of self-restraint arises undertakes the vow of renouncing the sinful activities. The propensity of self-restraint is an antecedent tendency, while renunciation (as undertaking vow) is the consequent one. The propensity of self-restraint is intensified by the renunciation (pratyākhyāna) as undertaking of vow. To criticize one's own self for one's past sinful activities comprises 'self-restraint'; also to renounce the future sinful activities comprises self-restraint. Although the self-restraint occurs in the present moment, the censor of the past lapses and the renunciation (as undertaking the vow) of future sinful activities—both constitute the bridge for the access to self-restraint. Semantics samyata—one who completely renounces (as undertaking the vows of abstaining from) all the sinful activities (for the whole life). (Thus, only the ascetic is samyata). asamyata—one who does not renounce any sinful activities. samyatāsamyata—one who partially renounces (as undertaking the vow of abstaining from) the sinful activities. (The lay follower as the practitioner of aņuvratas is samyatāsamyata).
The following table gives the Relative Numerical Strength of the samyata, asamyata and samyatāsamyata:
Relative Numerical Strength
1. All Souls
Self-restained Self-restained-cum-non-self-restained Non-self-restained
Minimum Innumerable times more Infinite times more
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