Agam 24 Chhed 01 Nishith Sutra Part 01 Sthanakvasi

Author(s): Amarmuni, Kanhaiyalal Maharaj
Publisher: Amar Publications

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5259). Indulgence in sexual matters results in the erosion of the spiritual fervour, zest and steadfastness. Slightest attachment becomes a determining factor so far as the position of saints and female saints, house-holders, their wives, including even young boys and girls is concerned It is discussed in N. Gāthā (3 2) that once a saint developed sex desire in the daughter of a house-holder with whom he was spending a night in his house. At night he had the cohabitation with the young girl. When the father of the girl came to know about the whole episode, he cut ost his male organ. Later on, the saint was given shelter by a prostitute where the saint performed whatever work she assigned him to do. There are several such cases discussed by the commentator Jinadāsa Mahattara which one cannot discuss openly today. They appear so vulgar and descriptive, one shudders to think of the need of so much detailed descriptions. Yet through reference to actual happenings the commentator has brought about the delicacy of spiritual experiences and risks involved of slightest fall in the path of realising the self. Now the question arises, is there any room for expiation (prāyaścitta) under such spiritual reverses ? First, there is no room for exception to the rule that all saints must observe very scrupulously the vow of abstinence from sexual desire whether mental or physical, copulation or indulgence in sexual matters may cxpress itself in natural or unnatural ways All such possible aberrations from the ethically rigid rules presuppose prāyaścitta for self-purification. Sometimes, very peculiar situa. tion arises : such as in case of any loss of character due to the indulgence in sexual matters. Should the saints be given a chance of prāyaścitta or should they be awarded punishment ? Here the penalty of death is recommended. Sometimes, the Sādhus and Sadhvis may not like to indulge in sex, but at the same time they may not be able to control desire for sexual pleasures. Under such circumstances the best remedy is to desist from the immoral path and control themselves for the sake of moral progress.
Those who take to renunciation must be of firm will or they may accept the path of asceticism out of cumpulsive conditions, i.e., without much voluntary urge. But the renunciation (dikṣā) is not permissible to the neutrals. (N. Gāthā-3505). Such persons