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Types of Santho a
The are two basic types of Sunihuru-(1) Sagari or for a specific purpose, and (2) Sumunya or non-specific; this is also called yvajjivan or lifelong.
Sagari Santhara is practiced when someone faces some problem or trouble and is terminated when the problem is over. This is not lifelong. When the problem is over its period is over.
In the third chapter titled Mudgarpani of the sixth section of Antakriddasha Sutra are given details about the procedures and durations of Saguri Santhura. In that story merchant Sudarshan practices Sagari Santhara.
Bhagavan Mahavir arrived outside the city of Rajagriha. At that time terror of Arjunamali, who was possessed by a vaksh, reigned outside the city. He killed anyone he saw, with a mace.
Not at all worried of this, Sudarshan went out of the city to pay homage to Bhagavan. Arjunamali lifts his mace and rushes to kill Sudarshan, who at once accepts Sagari Santhara. The gist of the text in the Sutra is as follows
Merchant Sudarshan re-strengthened the vows he had taken for life, abandoned the eighteen sources of sin and four types of food, and took an oath-"If I am freed of this affliction (of Arjunamali possessed by Mudgarpani vuksh) I would resume the abandoned activities (above said). If not, all the abstinences (accepted by me) will continue as long as I live."
With this oath merchant Sudarshan took refuge of (evoked) Bhagavan Mahavir, commenced the Sagari Santhara, and started his meditation of Bhagavan.
The affliction ended, as soon as the yaksh released Arjunamali the trouble ended and the duration of the Sagari Santhara came to an end. Merchant Sudarshan concluded his meditation and on request of Arjunamali took him along and arrived at Bhagavan Mahavir's Samavasarun.
This type of Sugari Santhara can be done by both shravuk as well as Shraman when they face some trouble. An example—Some ascetic is moving from one place to another. On the way he is way laid by some bandits or other anti-social elements, or there are circumstances where his vow of celibacy is in danger, or there is other such adverse situation, he can resort to Sugari Santhara.
Santhara Porasi
Discerning and vow abiding shruvaks are never negligent. However while sleeping during the night the degree of alertness is low, it is nor possible to be as alert as while awake. The body is numb. Sleep is a type of death-like state for a limited period. Therefore before going to sleep during the night one accepts Sagari Santharu. This is called Santhara Porasi.
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Antakriddasha Mahima
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