________________
244
S. B. DEO A person nearby was to be asked regarding the road. If he did not care to reply, then he was not to be asked again. A cowherd who stood at a distance in a field, was not to be approached as it was likely to involve injury to living beings and there was fear of getting injured due to thorns, etc.166 Proper Road:
A road which was free from living beings was to be adopted while touring. Therefore a dry and dustless road was preferred to all the rest. In case, however, such a road was not available, then the monk was allowed to go along a muddy road.167
Walking over a bridge made of one log or of many logs of wood without resting on anything, or over one from which dust fell down while walking, was not allowed. 168
Rain and Mist:
The monk was not allowed to tour in rain or mist. But if, while he was travelling, rain set in, then he took shelter in a nearby house. If, however, he had gone far ahead, then he took resort to a deserted house or a tree. In cases of torrential rain, he climbed a dried up tree. If a sudden flood overtook the place, then he was allowed to go by a bridge or cross it.169
Touring under Calamities (aśiva):
The monk in normal circumstances did not remain alone. But in cases of trouble from divine deities (asiva), or in famine (omoyariä), or danger from the king (rāyabhaya), or general excitation in the region (khuhiä), or in the practice of fasting (uttamattha), or when he lost his way (phiņiä) or when he was ill (gilāņa), etc., he had sometimes to face lonely life.170
In the first four cases, the monk left the place immediately before these calamities took place and sought habitation elsewhere.
Illness, Old Age and Touring:
The ill and the old were allowed to stay at one place at least for a period of five days as that was taken to be the minimum period required for
166. Ibid., 9-21.
167. Ogha-N. 23-25: for details about muddy and dusty roads, and the types to be avoided: Ibid., Comm. pp. 29b, 30a. A pāyalehaniya' was used to take out the mud from the feet: See under Requisites.
168. Ibid., 31. 169. Ibid. 28-30. 170. Ibid., 7.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
