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सचित्र उत्तराध्ययन सूत्र
TOTA 3 Ezen [2]
PRATHAM ADHYAYAN :
VINAYA SHRUT
Introduction
The first chapter is titled Maxims of Modesty. The Prakrit word Suyam is transcribed two ways in Sanskrit—sutra (maxim or aphorism) and shruta (the scriptures belonging to the oral tradition of Jains). As it contains the maxims of modesty sourced from the flow of scriptural knowledge in the teacher-disciple tradition of Jains, both the Sanskrit renderings are suitable as title of this chapter.
Modesty is the foundation of conduct (the ascetic conduct), the root of religion and the path of salvation.
Modesty is shedding conceit. That person alone bends and bows before the guru, faithfully listens to and accepts the words of the guru and obeys the command of the guru. Such a person or disciple is called modest and the one with a contrary conduct is called immodest.
In this chapter instead of giving a clear-cut definition of modest and immodest their attributes have been mentioned. Their intent, attitude, style of working and behaviour have been described in detail.
Thinkers have made divisions and subdivisions of modesty from a variety of stand points. For example-Two divisions-1. Worldly modesty, and 2. Spiritual modesty.
Four divisions-1-3. Modesty related to knowledge, perception/faith and conduct, and 4. Social modesty.
Seven divisions-1. Knowledge related modesty, 2. Perception/faith related modesty, 3. Conduct related modesty, 4. Modesty of mind, 5. Modesty of speech, 6. Modesty of body, and 7. Worldly modesty.
In fact modesty is associated with the overall behaviour in life. Discipline, self-control, good conduct, morality, good behaviour, mental-vocal-physical humbleness, obedience to the guru, understanding his directions, his care and service, avoiding his disrespect, not going against him, to consider strict discipline to be beneficial, and to do every thing timely realizing the importance of time, all these are different forms of modesty only.
At the same time this chapter also contains complete information about how to sit, stand, move about and ask questions, bed and the like in presence of the guru. Along with all this information it is also mentioned that only a modest pupil can acquire profound knowledge of scriptures from his guru.
. It is said in the end that as the earth is the base for all worldly souls so is the modest disciple, who has acquired knowledge from the guru, for all religious people. He also acquires many special powers.
This way, overall modesty is vividly described in this chapter in a variety of ways. This chapter contains 48 verses.
