Unknown Pilgrims

SR No.: 007014
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N Shanta
Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications Delhi
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 820
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

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The Unknown Pilgrims
This is clear and to the point and there is no need to seek any further effects thereof, for once the flow of karmic matter is contained, controlled, stemmed, no other darkening of the jiva can occur.
The texts of the pratyākhyāna-sūtras are brief. They comprise ten sūtras which specify: the nature of renunciation, its duration, possible exceptions; cach pratyākhyāna refers to abstinence from certain foods and drinks.58
The sādhvis make a promise to abide by complete pratyākhyāna, that is to say, abstinence from food or drink, including water, from before sundown till just before dawn and before dawn they renew this promise until one muhurta (48 minutes) after sunrise.59 In addition to this promise which is common to all and which is inserted in the ritual, the guruņi gives the sādhvis such or such a pratyākhyāna to observe personally and each individual sādhvi may ask permission from her to observe a pratyākhyāna for a longer or shorter period.
The carrying into effect of these specified fasts belongs to vyavahāra; as regards niscaya, it is once again Acārya Kundakunda who offers a penetrating explanation:
Knowledge of the atman (results in] renunciation of all inclinations, which are thereby recognised as being other than the ātman; this is why in reality this knowledge must be deemed to be pratyākhyāna. 60
58 Cf. ADH VIII, 65-69; MA I, 27; VII, 140-146.
59 Cf. P 708-709. The pre-sunset pratyākhyāna is not necessarily inserted in the great Rite of the avasyakas which may happen at a later hour. The predawn pratyākhyāna is generally part of the morning rite. The äryikās, after their one daily meal, make a promise of total abstinence from food and drink until their meal the following day; cf. P 068 ff.
60 ņānam savve bhāve paccakkhädi ya paretti ņādūņa
tamhä paccakkhānam nänam niyamā munedavvam. SamSa 34; the ātman is not explicitly mentioned, but is understood. Inclination: bhāva; this word, which is used to describe both mental and psychic activities, has a vast range of meanings; cf. SamSa 384.