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- Fourteen -
1. If the Bhagwati Aradhana and its commentator Aparajita are to be worshipped, then the following characteristics regarding the conduct of the worshipping congregation are derived from their scriptures:
(a) The essential aspect of the conduct to be followed is non-attachment, i.e., nudity.
(b) In the worshipping congregation, the Aryas also hold a position aimed at liberation akin to that of monks. In specific situations, there is guidance for them regarding the state of being unclothed.
(c) The conduct to be followed includes the rule of accepting food from the hand, and there is no provision for any other instrument besides the kamandalu (water pot) and picchi (fly whisk).
These characteristics do not align at all with the descriptions in works like the Bhashya of Umaswati and Prashamarati, because they clearly describe the clothing and vessels of monks. There is no mention of nudity as an essential provision, nor even a name for instruments like the kamandalu and picchi.
2. One argument from Shree Premiji is that the discussion on pious nature and related topics found in Umaswati’s texts is also present in the commentary of Aparajita. However, from the historical understanding of the philosophical beliefs concerning Gachchha and tradition, it is clear that sometimes, within the same tradition, there exist common and minor beliefs that appear contradictory to one another. Moreover, even two traditions that are considered contradictory sometimes exhibit unity in such common and minor beliefs. In such a situation, if the supporters of the Umaswati doctrine regarding clothing align with the beliefs of the worshipping congregation, which opposes clothing, it is not surprising.
Pandit Phoolchandra Shastri, in the preface to his commentary on Tattvarthasutra, has attempted to claim that the sutrakar (compiler) is Gṛdhrapiccha and the bhasyakara (commentator) is Umaswati. However, this effort is as much against historical evidence as it is logically flawed. When he states that there is no sutra in the initial verses that indicates Umaswati as the sutrakar, it seems he has become so biased towards establishing his sole perspective that he either overlooked the clear meaning or disregarded it altogether.