________________
AVAGRAHA PRATIMA: SEVENTH CHAPTER
INTRODUCTION
The name of the seventh chapter is Avagraha Pratima. Avagraha mean to take or accept. The term avagraha or uggaha has many different meanings in different context. Some are--general information received through sense organs; concept or decision; pot; a specific equipment meant for female ascetics; acceptable thing, house, place of stay etc.; to get permission to stay at a particular place. Exploring for pots is discussed in the sixth chapter. An ascetic takes pots and all other equipment with the permission of a householder because he has taken the vow of not stealing or not taking anything without being given. The main topic discussed in this chapter is accepting a place etc. The commentator (Vritti) informs that avagraha is of four types based on matter, area, time and attitude. Also there are five types of resolution including Devendra Avagraha mentioned in the last aphorism of this chapter. In this chapter the term avagraha has been used mainly to convey four meanings1. To take with permission, 2. An acceptable thing, 3. To seek permission from the owners or guardians of various
things to use those things when needed, and 4. A place, a place of stay or a limited area of land. (Vritti leaf 402) This chapter has two lessons. The first is about place and the second about the discipline to be observed by an ascetic while living at a place.
BERITE (HTTP)
( BEC )
Acharanga Sutra (Part 2)
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
