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 688

The Unknown Pilgrims
4. Celebration of the ratnatraya pūjā: the new äryikā recites the fortnightly pratikramana and the final vratas are enjoined upon her, which are usually certain types of tapas. The ācārya enjoins one vrata or another upon each of the śravakas or śrāvikās who have taken part in the rite of dikṣā.
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Now that the consecration of the new aryika has been accomplished, the ǎryikās can salute her with the vandana. To conclude the ceremony, the ācārya recites the siddhabhakti, the yogibhakti, the śāntibhakti and, finally the samadhibhakti.
The day of her dikṣā is for the new āryikā a day of fast. The following morning, when the acarya, followed by the aryikās, leaves the temple, an invitation is extended to and accepted by each for the āhāra, the meal. The new äryikā arrives last; the śravakas who receive her consider this offering of theirs a very meritorious deed.
C- Āryika-caryās: Observances practised by the Aryikās
The activities of the aryikās are characterised invariably by aparigraha, a deep bhakti and an extreme regard for purity in connection with food. On account of the fact that they take only one meal a day, receiving it into the paṇi-patra (their hands), and have only two garments that they change daily, they have more time for svädhyāya. Pratilekhanā, among the āryikās, is limited to the use of the picchikā. However, three times a day, morning, noon and in the evening, they perform in addition a supplementary vidhi which is called both sāmāyika and devavandana, for it combines both aspects; this vidhi lasts on each occasion for one muhūrta (48 min.). The various caryās of one day, from well before sunrise until the first hours of the night, are apportioned as follows:
1. From just before dawn until about ten o'clock in the morning: dhyāna - svādhyāya - pratikramaṇa - sāmāyika(devavandana) svādhyāya - āhāra - pratyākhyāna.