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COMPRXDIUM OF JAINISM
and therefore becomes subject to numerous forms of existence subject to births and deaths. The supreme object of religion is to show the way for liberation of the soul from the bondage of Karmas. Those who adopt the vow immediately become selfreliant, self-composed and self-concentrated; they cease to be agitated by personal considerations and suffering, and rise above the cravings and longings of the flesh. The soul is lifted out of the slough of despondency and negativity. To be able to control one's conduct at the moment of death is the fruit (culmination) of asceticism.3
A comprehensive exposition of this vow is to be found in the “Ratna-Karanda Śrāvakācāra” by Ācārya Samantabhadra who probably lived in the second century A. D. The vow is also called sanyāsa-maraña. He who adopts the vow should, with a pure mind, give up friendship, enmity, company and possessiveness, He should forgive his own relations, companions and servants, and should, with sweet words, ask for pardon of everybody. He should discuss frankly with his Guru (preceptor) all the sins committed by himself, or sins which he abetted others to commit, or consented to their commission by others, and abide by the great vow till death. During the period, he should wholly efface from his mind all grief, fear, regret, affection, hatred, prejudice etc., and with strength of mind and enthusiasm, he should keep his mind supremely happy with the nectar of scriptural knowledge. He should gradually give up food and take only likuids like milk, butter-milk etc., later, he should give up milk also and take only warm water. Thereafter, he should give up even warm water gradually according to his capacity, continue his fast and quit the body while the mind is wholly occupied with the meditation of the namokāra-mantra.
During the period of observance of this vow, he must avoid the five kinds of transgressions : 1) He should not entertain a feeling that it would have been better if death had come a little later. 2) He should not also wish for a speedy death. 3) He should entertain no apprehensions as to how he would bear the
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