ISJS Transactions 2018 07 To 09 Vol 02 No 03

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 49

from all sides. Ine term aparigrana nas botn external implications or limiting possessions, and internal implications, i.e. non attachment, detachment, anāsakti or amurchā.
Parigraha, thus means the worldly objects around us and our attachment to them. Thus to understand parigraha only in the sense of accepting worldly objects would be incomplete; likewise to understand it only in the sense of attachment or asakti would also be incomplete. But a comprehensive view of the two implications of parigraha would show that the two are intertwined and have a kind of circular relation. As the abundance of material objects arouses attachments or āsakti, (mūrcchā) which in turn disturbs mental peace, likewise inner craving, attachment or murccha makes one desire and acquire more and more material possessions."
Parigraha is not just possessions but it is possessiveness. The term iccha is also closely associated with parigraha which means the desire to possess. This is perhaps a stage even prior to murccha. Iccha materializes in possessions and possessions then propel or drive the individual to attachment or murcchā.11
The importance of aparigraha and its universal acceptance lies in its social basis. It is a principle which not only has a place in Jain ethics or Indian ethics but it occupies a place in Christianity and Islam also.
Aparigraha in Hinduism
Aparigraha as a precept or vow finds occurrence in Brahminical texts. In Baudhhayana Dharma Sutras, it means abstention from taking possessions or refusal to master or overpower. The sutras speak of the five vows of sanyasi and aparigraha is one of them.12 It occurs in Manusmrti, where Manu says that a sanyasi should establish himself in nonpossession, live in a secluded place, and observe the vow of silence."
Aprarigraha is given a very special place in Brahminical literature. In this regard Mahatma Gandhi Said that the whole of Hinduism could be summed up in one single verse of Isopanisad: The reward of renunciation is bhunjitha i.e. enjoyment of all that you need. But there is a meaning in the world translated as enjoy. Which may as well be translated as use and eat etc. it signifies, therefore, that you may not take more than necessary for your growth.
Are Aparigraha and Meditation.... | 41
Hence, the enjoyment or use is limited by two conditions: One is the act of renunciation. .... Therefore, take it as you take, either in the same that enjoyment or use is the reward of renunciation or that renunciation is the condition of enjoyment. Renunciation is essential for our very existence for the soul.14
In Bṛhadaranyaka Upanishad, there is a conversation between Yajnavalkya and his wife Maitreyī. This conversation shows that possessions and wealth do not help in attaining immortality. When Yajnavalkya wanted to distribute his estate between his two wives, Maitreyi choose the spiritual portion of his estate. She said, "Supposing I obtain possession of the whole earth full of wealth, by that I shall not attain immorality." Certainly not, Yajnavalkya replied. Such a life will not only like the life of those who have all kinds of conveniences; there is no hope for immorality my mere possessions of wealth. It is not for its own sake that everything is held dear but for the sake of atman that everything is precious. Thus conversation shows that possessions may become hindrances to the attainment of the