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AN INTERPRETATION OF JAIN ETHICS 29 sitting posture, too. The duration of each Kayotsarga must be fixed before, and the time minutely kept.
6. The last Avasyaka is the Pratyakhyana, i.e. a formal vow taken in the presence of the Guru with reference to any kind of restriction or renunciation to be performed. The Mabavratas and Anupratas are Pratyakhyanas too, it is true, and so are the other Vratas of Sravakas likewise. But as Pratyakhyana-Avasyaka in the narrower sense, only such vows as are adopted for a short period are usually counted. There are various kinds of Pratyakhanas, differing with reference to the object of renunciation, to its duration and formalities. A man can solemnly renounce the society and help of his fellow-ascetics, if he happens to be a Sadhu, or be can give up all utterances of arising passions, or certain kinds of food, such as one or cther of the Vikritis, or, for a certain time, all kinds of food whatsoever, or he can reduce the quantity of food, he can reduce biş movements, or the territory within which to move, he can restrict or renounce his sexual activity, etc. etc.
The Sveta mbar Canon contains certain Prakrit formulas, which are recited at the time of “taking " the Pratyakhyana. Thoy contain so-called Akaras, i.e. reservations of cases in which transgressions that happened without the fault of the vower, are not to be counted as breaches of the vow. Thus, the Pratokhyana of complete fasting for one 'or more days, e.g., takes into consideration the case that food might be forcibly put into the mouth of the devotee, or that he suddenly might become non compos mentis, or that the Guru might order him to eat, in order to enable him to execute some urgent work in the service of the community, etc.
Whereas a Svetambar Sadhu will take at least three Pratyakhyanas every day, the Sravka following his example, will scarcely allow a day to pass without taking at least the “Navkarsi Pratyakhyana " i.e. the promise not to take any food earlier than 48 minutes after sunrise, and the Divaga Charimam-Pratyakhyana ", i.e. the promise not to tough; away
food after sunset. Sravakas who have taken the Second Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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| SR No. | 034890 |
| Book Title | Jaina Gazette 1928 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Ajitprasad, C S Mallinath |
| Publisher | Jaina Gazettee Office |
| Publication Year | 1928 |
| Total Pages | 502 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 33 MB |