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Chapter 10
ĀVAŠYAKA KRIYA
The importance that Sandhya' holds in the Vedic Society, * Khor deha Avesta' with the Parsis, prayer' with the Jews and Cbristians, is held by Āvaśyaka' in the Jain society.
For Sädhus, performance of 'Āyasyoka' both in the morning and evening is unavoidable; such is the order of the Scrip'ures. If therefore, they do not abide by it, they cannot be considered duly qualified for the status of Sādhu.
The spread of · Avaśyaka' is optional with the śravakas. This shows that those who are sincere and rent upon observance of rules resort to it, while for others it is left to their will. But it is found that those who do not take to it daily, do perform it once in a fortnight or four months or a year.
In the Svetambara sect, this 'Avaśyaka kriyā 'is so very much venerated that even the individuals who never go to the temples, even little boys and girls, collect in the religious places mostly for the annual Avaszaka krijā; they look upon its performance as their good fortune. This betrays the importance of the Avašyaka kriya in the Svetāmbara sect. All parents therefore insist on the study of this when their wards take to religious education.
Now, what is this Ävas yaka kriya? What is the form of what is known as Sāmāyika etc, in the Avaś yaka kriya? How are the different orders in it justified ? Why is it considered spiritual? All these questions should be pondered over.
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