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Elaboration--In aphorisms 171 and 172 it is advised that ascetics should not reply to any questions regarding animals and birds or plants, water and fire. This is because in all probabilities the person who is asking such questions is a hunter, butcher, bird-catcher or bandit. If the ascetic provides him information he may go in that direction, he may trap or kill the being. In such violent act the ascetic, who observes the great vow of ahimsa, also becomes instrumental. In the other aphorisms are questions generally asked by people who are indisciplined, hungry or oppressed by cold. They may also cause harm or destruction of beings. Therefore to both type of questions he should not say that he knows the answer. He should remain silent irrespective of being aware or not aware of the information sought. In such predicament a Jinakalpi ascetic remains silent even at the cost of his life. However, in case of a Sthavir-kalpi ascetic two opinions prevail.
First is that an ascetic should refrain from using words that may lead to harm to beings. But at the same time the ascetic observing the great vow of truth should also never utter a lie. Thus, even when he knows he should not say that he knows. This can be done only if he remains silent. Acharya Shri Atmaramji M. conforms to this view and in his support he quotes from the Balavabodh by Upadhyaya Shri Parshva Chandraji M.
The second opinion is by the author of Vritti. Giving greater importance to the feeling of clemency for all beings he says—“Under such critical conditions even if an ascetic knows, he should say that he does not know.” Late Acharya Shri Jawaharlalji M. has supported this view of the commentator (Vritti) in his famous work 'Saddharma Mandan' stating that here the intention of the ascetic is not to tell a lie but to save beings.
Acharya Shri Atmaramji M. clearly mentions that even when he knows he should not say that he knows and he should also not tell a lie. So he should remain silent. (Hindi Tika, p. 1128) ईर्या : तृतीय अध्ययन
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Irya : Third Chapter
4
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SO
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AUVA
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