Aspects of Jaina Religion

Author(s): Vilas Sangve
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 73

Ethics of Jainism :: 69
particular time everyday to contemplation or meditation of the self for spiritual advancement. (ii) Prosadhopavāsa is taking a vow to fast on four days of the month, namely, the two eighth and the two fourteenth days of the month. (iii) Upabhoga-paribhoga-parimāna is taking vow everyday limiting one's enjoyment of consumable and non-consumable things. (iv) Atithi-samvibhāga is taking a vow to take one's food only after feeding the ascetics, or, in their absence, the pious householders
It may be noted that these three gunavratas and four śikṣāvratas are grouped together and are known as sīlavratas, i.e., supplementary vows because these vows perform the work of supplementing or protecting the five main aņuvratas just as towns are protected or guarded by the encircling walls built around them.
Thus the five anuvratas, the three gunavratas and the four śikṣāvratas constitute the twelve vratas or vows of a householder. There are five atichāras, i.e., defects or partial transgressions, for each of these twelve vows and they are to be avoided by the observers of these vows.
In addition to the above twelve vows a householder is expected to practise in the last moment of his life the process of sallekhanā, i.e., peaceful or voluntary death. A layman is expected not only to live a disciplined life but also to die bravely a detached death. This voluntary death is to be distinguished from suicide which is considered by Jainism as a cowardly sin. It is laid down that when faced by calamity, famine, old age and disease against which there is no remedy, a pious householder should peacefully relinquish his body, being inspired by a higher religious ideal. It is with a quiet and detached mood that he would face death bravely and voluntarily. This sallekhanā is added as an extra vow to the existing twelve vows of a householder. Like other vows, the vow of sallekhanā has also got five atichāras, i.e., partial transgressions, which are to be avoided by a householder.
The most significant feature of these twelve vows is that by practising these vows a layman virtually participates, to