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388
S. B. DEO them as was possible for them to carry, while the rest of it was divided between the rest of the party.92
The exact time for departure depended on the distance of the next stop. Those who started at day time, rolled their garments right at the time of the morning ‘pratilekhanā'. Then performing 'svādhyāya', and tying their other requisites properly, they started in the afternoon.93
While touring, the 'agītārtha' monks were to be at the head of the party, then the 'vạşabhas', and lastly the 'gitārthas'. This order, however, was not fixed, for, in some cases, the 'vạşabhas' were at the rear, or at times they were at the back of the ācārya. 94
The ācārya was to be guarded at all costs. For this purpose, the monks never disclosed as to who the ācārya in the party was, as he was the person who was often subjected to the trouble from the king or from the thieves. To avoid this, an old monk posed as an ācārya and the latter moved about as an ordinary monk. It may be noted that such rules tend to reflect hard days for the Jaina monks.95
Halts along the Tour :
If while on tour, they came across a comfortable village then they stayed there for a day. The feeble among the party could prolong their stay for a couple of days more.
If, however, out of attachment for the place, the party decided to stay there for a longer period, then they had to undergo a prāyaścitta, the highest being that of pārāñciya for a stay of eleven days.96
Protection :
Along the tour, as well as in unsafe places of halting, the monks took perfect precautions for the safety of the whole group. In this connection it is interesting to note the story of a monk who killed three lions with his club while his co-monks slept in happiness.97
Countries Unfit for Touring :
We have already noted that the Chedasūtras allowed monks to wander "towards the east as far as Anga-Magadha, towards the south as far as
92. Brh. kalp. bha. Vol. II, 1552; Ogha-N. bha. 87-88. 93. Brh. kalp. bhā. Vol. II, 1543-46. 94. Ibid. Vol. III, 2901-02. 95. Ibid. 3005-7; 3014-22. 96. Ibid. Vol. II, 1555-59. 97. Ibid. Vol. II, 2964-67.
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