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Nature of Avaśyakas (= Āvaśyaka kriyās)
From the broad standpoint, āvasyaka kriya is divided into six types, viz. Sāmāyika, Caturvimšatistava, Vandana, Pratik rumuna, Kāyotsarga and Pratyākhyāna.
(1) Sāmāyika
Without yielding to attachment and aversion, to remain in the state of equanimity, that is, to treat all living beings equal to one's own self is sāmāyika. It is mentioned in Avaśyaka-Niryukti verse No.1032. There are two types of sāmāyika - partial and complete. Partial sämāyika relates to laymen while complete sāmāyika relates to monks. This is stated in Avaśyaka-Niryukti verse No. 796 Samatā, sumyaktvu, śānti, suvihita - these words are the synonyms of sāmāyika.
(2) Caturvimśatistava
It is a devotional praise of 24 Tīrtharkaras who are endowed with all the good qualities. This devotional praise is also of two types - external (dravya) and internal (bhāvu). To express one's devotion to them by worshipping them with good purifying things like flower etc. is the external praise (dravya stuti). And 10 praise devotionally their internal natural qualities is the internal praise (bhāva stuti).
(3) Vandana
Vandana means offering of respectsul salutations. In scriptures (Avaśyaka-Niryukti verse No.1103) citikarmu, krtikarma, pājākarma etc. are enumerated as synonyms of vandana. To understand the real nature of vandana one should know as to what the real nature of a respectable person should be. Avaśyaka-Niryukti verse No.1195 mentions five types of respectable Jaina monks, viz. ācārya, upādhyāya, pravartaka, sthavira and ratnādhiku.
