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Austerity and endurance of...
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Jain austerity is confined not just to the scriptures; it is only an echo of the various types of austerities that live in and flow from the fourfold Sangba. To-day also Jains are considered to be uniquely expert in the observance of austerity. In other matters, Jains might lag behind, but if they were to be examined in their austerities, fasts and Ayambila in particular, Jain men or women would surpass all and stand first not only in our country but in the whole world. Festivals regarding austerities, their celebrations and other exciting ceremonies are so very much renowned that families, women in particular, feel a sort of vacuum in life if they have not resoj ted to austerity and have later celebrated it. It was one acute Tapasvini, a Jain lady, who could win the admiration of the moghul emperor Akbar.
Parişaha Hardships
Non-Jains also know the meaning of tapas, not so Parişaha, which is a rather new word for them. Yet, the meaning of the word is not new. Parişaha is all that a Bhiksu bas to suffer for the success of his aim after he renounces his house and gets initiated. The Jain Agamas describe these Parişahas but only with reference to the life of a Bhikṣu. The twelve types of austerity that are described are applicable both to the householders and the recluses; the twentytwo Parişahas enumerated are only with reference to the life of the recluses. Thus tapas and Parişaha are different, their cypes are different yet they are inseparable.
Just as vows and prescriptions and conduct are not the same, in a similar way, knowledge is different from Vrata-niyama and Caritra. Still, the assimilation of the thres is possible in the life of an individual. If that Yoga-assimilation is possible, greater and greater development is possible in life. Only the Ātina who is endowed with this Yoga of the three, can have greater and wider influence on others; only he can guide others. This is the reason why Bhagavān Mahāvīra has included three elements in Tap Parişaha. He could see that man's path of life is long, his final goal is very much far off, the goal is also very subtle and as one tries to reach tbe goal, he has to undergo and suffer so many
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