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Fourth Chapter : PRATIKRAMAN
Introduction
The fourth step in Avashyak is pratikraman. The earlier three steps of avashyak namely Samayik, Chaturvinshati Stava (hymn in praise of 24 tirthankars) and vandana prepare the background for pratikraman. The practitioner stabilizing himself in a state of equanimity, recites hymn in praise of 24 tirthankars and bowing to them experiences a sublime spiritual happiness. Thereafter, he starts on the voyage to see the sublime self. This voyage is called pratikraman.
The word pratikraman is formed of two words-prati and kraman. They mean to return from outer field to the inner one or to return from external self to inner self. By practicing pratikraman, the practitioner discards wrong vision, slackness, ignorance, non-restraint and the like and re-gains his true nature namely right knowledge, right faith and right conduct.
Pratikraman is the exalted practice for self-realisation and self-purification. Without self-realisation self-purification is not possible and in the absence of selfpurification, one cannot attain salvation. The ultimate goal is salvation or liberation. The true vision of self is the first step towards liberation. Through it, the practitioner looks into his merits and demerits. His interest develops in merits and he detaches himself from demerits. In the state of pratikraman, the practitioner not only recollects his demerits but also makes a resolve to eliminate his demerits.
The life style of spiritual practitioner is totally secure due to resolves, major vows and restraints. But while practicing the vows in actual daily routine same deviations ordinarily occur. Pratikraman is done for purification of self from effect of such deviations. Just as by taking bath, the dirt struck to the body is removed smoothly through pratikraman the effect of sins on the soul is removed. By taking bath one feels light and fresh. Similarly by pratikraman one experiences ecstatic pleasure as a result of purification and lightness in the soul.
चतुर्थ अध्ययन : प्रतिक्रमण
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Avashyak Sutra
