Hajarimalmuni Smruti Granth

Author(s): Shobhachad Bharilla
Publisher: Hajarimalmuni Smruti Granth Prakashan Samiti Byavar

Page 996

पंचम अध्यास : ४३
to do vicious acts, engaging in evil thoughts or immoral activities etc. 9. Sāmājika Vrata -- By this vow the layman undertakes to sit quietly for 48 minutes at one
place and give up all sinfull activities and calmly meditate on the soul or chant hymns, quelling all evil propensities of one's mind, speech and body, and observing equality to
wards friends, foes and all creatures. 10. Deshāvakāshika Vrata--This vow requires one to restrict further the scope allowed by the
previous Dikparimäna Vrata, and the restriction varies according to the daily needs of one's
life. 11. Paushadha Vratra --According to this vrata the Shrāvaka has to live the life somewhat like
that of an ascetic for a whole day or for a whole day and night or for whole night only by fasting, givining up all worldly pre-occupations and engaging in religious contemplation. Because this vrata promotes and nourishes one's religious life, it is called Paushdha or
nourishing. 12. Atithi Samvibhāga Vrata-It means giving food, clothes etc. to Sadhus and Sadhwis. Of these twelve Vratas, the first five are called Anuvratas or minor vows, because they are less difficult and rigorous than the Mahāvratas or major vows of the monks; the next three (from the sixth to the eighth) are called Gunavratas, as they forster the growth of the qualities engendered by the first five Anuvratas; and the last four vratas (from the ninth to the twelfth) are called Shiksha-vratas, as they constitute the preliminary training for the adoption of the ascetic life of the monks. The houeholders have to lead the religious life and advance towards perfection by the practice of these twelve vratas. Ahimsa (Non-Violence) Ahimsă or non-violence can be said to be the fulcrum of the whole institution of Jaina monkhood. But as it is not possible to practise non-violence perfectly without a simultaneous practice of truthfulness, non stealing, chastity and non-possession, the above mentioned five major Vratas have been enjoined upon the monks. Again, without a discipline of the mind and the senses, non-violence cannot be practised fully, and without austerities, discipline is out of the question. It is for this reason that non-violence, self-discipline and austerities taken together, have been called Dharma in the Jaina scriptures. The Sadhus (monks) have to be vigilant at every moment and in every movement of their lives, so that they may not be guilty of any violence whatsoever, may not injure or kill even a very minute sentient being. It is impossible to desist from this kind of violence except by a perfect practice of the five major vows. The monks endure with calm courage and equanimity all cruel persecution or oppression, and even deadly suffering--they do not cherish the slight feeling of hatred or anger against their persecutors. Instances like the one in which a Jaina sādhu endured inhuman torture and laid down his life for saving the life of a little bird, are not rare. I have dwelt above on the vratas or religious vows of the Shrāvakas or Jaina householders. The rules regulating their lives have been so framed as to enable them to lead an honest and pious existence by a gradual control of their cravings and desires. They have been so framed that in earning their livelihood and saving their wealth and property and even when called upon to bear arms for the protection of their person, their families and their country from the oppressive hands of their enemies, the Shrāvakas may be able to observe self-restraint, and may not
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
****
*
*
*
11111!! 10.IIII
Jain Edu
IIIIIII KPE
III
IIII
athedrary.org