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VIEWS OF ACHARYA SHRI ATMARAMJI M. ON THE TERMS ASTHI-MANSA
The texts—'bahu-atthiya mansam' and 'maccham va bahu kantayam' in this aphorism are controversial. Some thinkers even go to the extant of calling Jain ascetic non-vegetarian on the basis of the popular word meanings of these terms. Shilankachary, the commentator (Vritti) has not made any special effort to refute this. He even writes that in case of emergency meat etc. could be used for external application.
But Upadhyaya Parshvachandra Suri, the author of the Balavabodh (a style of commentary), written at a later period, opposes the views of the commentator (Vritti). He writes that the difference between conduct in normal and unusual conditions is not found in Agams. Moreover, the code of throwing asthi (bone) and kantak (thorn) at solitary place clearly indicates that it is about the stones and thorns of fruits only. In Prajnapana Sutra the term asthi has been used for seed (stone or kernel). For example-egatthiya and bahitthiya or one seeded, like harad (Terminalia chebula) and multi-seeded like pomegranate and guava. This clearly confirms that these terms were used in connection with vegetables. Therefore, the statement by the commentator (Vritti) does not appear to be logical.
When we seriously study this topic in depth it becomes evident that the statement of the commentator (Vritti) is out of context. In the aphorism under reference is given the dialogue between a layman and an ascetic who has entered his house about food and not medicine. If we accept the view of the author of Vritti that an ascetic can accept meat for external application, we cannot avoid the question that for external application only raw meat is required not cooked meat. For raw meat one has to go to a butchers shop and here the description is of a layman's house not a butcher's shop. This also confirms that the view of the author of Vritti that under exceptional circumstances meat is acceptable does not appear to be in conformity with the Agams. Also, in this lesson there is no indication that meat should be applied 3TERIE (4777)
(838)
Acharanga Sutra (Part 2)
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