Sramana 2008 01

SR No.: 525063
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shreeprakash Pandey, Vijay Kumar
Publisher: Parshvanath Vidhyashram Varanasi
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 138
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Sramana, & India
File Size: 6 MB

Page 119

114 :
śramaņa, Vol 59, No. 1/January-March 2008
(v) Mātsarya (jealousy in alms giving)- lack of respect in
alms giving or a state of anger aroused by the monk's
solicitation even though alms are given.
These three Guņavratas and four Śikṣāvratas grouped together are known as śīlavratas, i.e., supplementary vows because these vows perform the work of supplementing or protecting the five main Aņuvratas just as towns are protected or guarded by the encircling walls built around them. The Sīla enhances the effect of vratas to be observed by the Śrävaka-Śrāvikās (lay-followers) treading on the path of salvation.
Thus the five Aņuvratas, the three Guņavratas and the four Śikṣāvratas constitute the twelve vratas or vows of a householder. There are five aticāras, i. e partial transgressions, for each of these twelve vows and they are to be avoided by the observers of these vows. The five Aticāras are: (i) sarkā (doubt or skeptic); (ii) kankṣā, desire of sense pleasures; (iii) vicikitsa (disgust of anything, for example, with a sick or deformed person); (iv) anyadęsti-praśaṁsā (thinking admiringly of wrong believers); and (v) anyadrșți-samstava (praising wrong believers).
Sallekhanā (The holy death)- In addition to the above twelve vows a householder is expected to practice in the last moment of his life the process of Sallekhanā, i.e., peaceful or voluntary death. A layman is expected not only to live a disciplined life but also to die bravely a detached death. This voluntary death is to be distinguished from suicide, which is considered by Jainism as a cowardly sin. It is laid down that when faced by calamity, famine, old age and disease against which there is no remedy, a pious householder should peacefully relinquish his body, being inspired by a higher religious ideal. It is with a quiet and detached mood that he would face death bravely and voluntarily. This Sallekhanā is added as an extra vow to the existing twelve vows of a householder. Like other vows, the vow of Sallekhanā has also got five aticāras, namely-Iha-lokāsaṁsā (desire for fortunate rebirth as a man); Paralokāśarnsä (desire for fortunate rebirth as divine); Jivitāšaṁsā (desire for continuing life);