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HISTORY OF JAINA MONACHISM
275
Bed of Straw :
The bed of straw was to be received from the householder only after carefully examining it.357. So also, when leaving the place, monks and nuns returned the bed of straw to the householder. They were to hand it over to him only after somewhat changing it (vigaraṇam kațţu).358 Bed of the Plank of Wood (phalaga):
During the rainy season (vāsāvāsa), the monks slept on a plank of wood.359 In cases of illness in summer and winter, the plank was used for sleeping. It was so light as could be carried to a distance for three days. For an old monk, it was brought even from a distance of five days.360 Slab of Stone :
Even though mentioned, no details are found about it in the Chedasūtras, and the Niryuktis also describe in details the above two types more than this. It may be that this was not much in normal use. When to Accept Bedding :
As in the case of other requisites, the returnable bedding was also to be accepted in daylight. But the monks and the nuns were allowed to receive at night or evening only a single bed of straw which was examined previously.361 Use and Return of the Bedding :
The 'sejjā-santhāraga' was to be accepted only after the free consent of the householder 362 In case the monk returned it and wanted it again, then also he had to take the consent of the householder for obtaining that returnable (pāļihāriyam) bedding 363 If the bedding was lost, then he had to search it out.364 If he failed to do so, he had to undergo a punishment for these offences. Unfit Bedding :
Beds used by the householder were deemed unfit for the monk and he had to undergo a punishment for using these 365 So also, beds specially
357. Brh.kalp. 1, 44. 358. Ibid., 3, 25-27. 359. Vav. 8, 2; mentioned in Pinda-N. v. 46. 360. Vav. 8, 3-4. 361. Brh.kalp. 1, 44. 362. Nis 2, 50-59. 363. Ibid., 5, 23. 364. Ibid., 2, 50-59. 365. Ibid., 16, 1-3. (See Appendix 1).
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