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evening. 64 The great Am tacandra says that the householder should consider the act of S m yika as obligatory and perform it at least twice a day, i.e., in the morning and evening.65] He further remarks that its performance at other times will conduce towards the enhancement of the spiritual and moral characteristics, hence it is not improper, but beneficial (66) Sitting and standing postures are generally recommended for the performance of Sm yika.67]
3 Posture
4 Meditation The aspirant should purge the mind of sensual pleasures by concentrating on the
sermons of the Jina, adopt submissive and surrendering gestures, and finally, either repeat the devotional hymns mentally or absorb himself in self-meditation; [68) and three folds purity of mind, body and vocal
3.6 Nature of Pro adhopav savrata Samantabhadra [69) and others, enunciate (70) the Pro adhopav savrata as 'renouncing the four kinds of food on the eighth and fourteenth lunar days in each fortnight'. Probably keeping in view the infirmness of disciples, K rttikeyanuprek also includes the eating of unseasoned food once a day in the Pro adhopav savrata, and Amitagati!12) and dhara173) also comprise the taking of only water in this Vrata. The observance of this Vrata requires the performance of meditation, the study of spiritual literature, and the avoidance of bath, perfumes, bodily embellishment, ornaments, cohabitation and household affairs. 174) The r vaka Prajñapti prescribes that the relinquishment of food, bodily embellishment, cohabitation; household affairs should be affected either partially or completely in the Pro adhopav savrata. As regards the place for the performance of this Vrata, a temple, the abode of S dhus, a Pro adhopav savrata or any holy place should be chosen for one's
stay (75)
3.7 Nature of Atithisa vibh gavrata He who offers four kinds of gifts to deserving recipients is pursuing the Atithisa vibh gavrata.l76) Four kinds of gifts have been recognised; namely, food, medicine, books and fearlessness. (77) Food, medicine, Upakara a religious accessories) and the place of shelter is the other list of four objects. (78) All these things should be worthy of the P tras. Only such things should be given as are useful for the pursuance of studies and for practicing austerities of a very high quality, and as do not bring about attachment, aversion, incontinence, pride, sorrow, fear and the like. [79] Just as water washes away blood, so proper gifts to saints would for certain wipe off the sins accumulated on account of the unavoidable household affairs. The paying of obeisance to the holy saints causes noble birth; the giving of D na to them entails prosperous living; their servitude promotes high respect; their devotion determines gracious look; and the extolling of their virtues brings about celebrity. 181) Vasunandi tells us that the gift to P tras is just like a seed sown in a fertile land; the gift to Kup tras is just like a seed sown in a semi-fertile land; and the gift to Ap tras is just like a seed sown in a barren land. 182]
4.1 Eleven Pratim s: (Eleven Stages for Becoming Excellent r vaka) The eleven Pratim s are denominated
Dar ana, Vrata Sm yika Pro adha, Sacittaty ga, R tribhuktity ga B hm c rya,
rambhaty ga Parigrahaty ga, Anumatity ga, Uddistaty ga 83
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