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

Page 515

The Śramani: The Worker
latter evidence themselves through a slovenly appearance and inattentivenesss in the performance of this vidhi. 41
With regard to kayotsarga, the doșas all come from a certain nonchalance, like leaning against the wall, turning the head or eyes, all proof of a lack of basic courage, which has repercussions on bodily posture and prevents true utsarga (detachment) from the käya (body)42 It goes without saying that one must confess these dosas to the guruņi, at least when one is concious of them, by simply telling her during the day the fault committed - there is no special formula used for alocană (confession) - after which the guruni indicates the prayaścitta, the specific penance to be performed.
E - Pratilekhanā-vidhi: The inspection of clothing and utensils
Now the sun is up and light is flooding into the upāśraya. It is now and only now that the sadhvis can perform the pratilekhanā-vidhi. Of course, when we consider the etymology of this word, it appears obvious that the act that it denotes requires light and that, since the sadhvis, except exceptionally (as, example, for study), do not use electricity or any other artificial light, it is necessary in the morning to await the sunrise before undertaking the pratilekhanā-vidhi, which is performed again at the end of the afternoon before sunset. Pratilekhana or pratilekha means: inspection, search, observation, viewing, investigation.43 On account of their vow of ahimsă, the sādhvis, twice a day, carry out a minute inspection of their vastras, muhapatti, rajoharaṇa, pātras, granthas (books), sayyā (bedding) and anything else that they use.44
41 Cf. SramanS, pp. 426-431. We must bear in mind that the lesser vandana is performed often during the day and not solely during the rite of the āvaśyakas.
42 Ibid., pp. 416-418.
43 Nirikṣaṇa (inspection, look), avaloka (observation, glance), nirupana (investigation, examination) are all words which express each of them, one particular aspect of the pratilekhana; cf. AS I, 8, 1, 12.
Cf. US XXVI, 22-23.
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