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A. Hand Book of Jainology
the area beyond that limit. This abbreviates and includes the other vratas. For instance "I will at least conform to Ekasan and I will perform 8 pratikramans or eight samayiks per day. I will perform such a Deshavakasik so many times in a year". Yes! In order to observe the spirit of this vrata, at other times, during that period, you should spend your day in such spiritual activities as attaining knowledge, performing meditation etc. without being immersed in worldly affairs. This is spiritually beneficial.
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For a proper observance of this vow, you must not invite anyone from beyond that limit; nor should you send anyone beyond that limit prescribed by the vow.
THE ELEVENTH VRAT PAUSHAD
Paushad means the vow to spend a day or a night or a complete day in total samayik along with the renunciation during that period of such things as food, the body, speaking to others, occupation or business and taking the vow of celibacy carrying out contemplation and meditation and being totally absorbed in such spiritual activities. On account of this, the internal dharma is developed (poshana); hence it is called the Paushadh Vrat. During the Paushad Vrat one has to observe samitis (limits) and guptis (restraints). This will be fully described in a later chapter which deals with Samvaran.
THE TWELFTH VRAT: ATHITHISAMVIBHAG
This vow relates to giving some gifts to athithis i.e., to Sadhus and Sadhvis. According to the Athithi Samvibhag Vrat, one has to, according to his constitution, perform the fasting called Chauvihar without water Tivihar (Water in day time) while performing paushad throughout the day and night; and then carry out the parana or the completion ceremony. At the time of paran, one should observe Ekasan and must take food only after giving food and water to Sadhus and Munis. If they are not available, the same devotion should be shown to the fellow-members of one's faith. This is called the Athithisamvibhag vrat. You must take a vow to perform a certain number
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