Jain Digest 2004 11 Vol 23 No 4

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 20

VIRYÄCHÄR
The Code Of Exercising Vigor
Anigoohia-Bal-Virio Parakkamai Jo Jahuttamäutto that type of motivation is helpful in correctly undertaking and Junjai A Jahäthämam Näyavvo Viriäyäro
successfully finishing any work. Doing anything efficiently and Panchächär Sutra appropriately amounts to Yog. Geeta therefore states: Yogah
Karmasu Kaushalam. It means that efficiency in doing anything is When one applies his unrestricted capacity and vigor for practicing Yog. People in the West are attracted towards the physical exercises the laid down spiritual code, it is known as Viryächär or the code of that are known as Yoga exercises. Such exercises are really meant to exercising vigor.
equip an aspirant to undertake the required activity efficiently. If It was mentioned earlier that Jain spiritual code consists of
one does not gain the efficiency or fails to exercise it, he misses the five aspects. Of these five, we have discussed Jnänächär,
real purpose of undertaking Yoga. Darshanächär, Chariträchär and Tapächär. After properly If a high degree of self-motivation is required for worldly understanding these four aspects, one needs to exercise his energy success, a far higher degree is necessitated for spiritual purposes. for putting them into practice. This has to be done vigorously and The scriptures mention that Mithyätva (the wrong perception), enthusiastically without any way restricting the energy. Such Avirati (absence of restraints), Kashäy (defilement), Pramad practicing is known as Viryächär, the code of exercising vigor. As a (indolence) and Yog (unduly exercising of physical, verbal and matter of fact, Viryachär also is a part of Chäriträchär. In view of mental capabilities) are the main factors that inhibit the spiritual its importance, however, Jain tradition trears it as a separate part growth. Detailed analysis of these factors would indicate that laxity, of the code.
laziness and lethargy, which are the principal constituents of For undertaking any activity, one has to exercise vigor. That
indolence, are inherent in those factors. Religion therefore applies to the worldly aspects as well as to spiritual ones. This is
emphasizes that the spiritual aspirant should undertake every obvious and well known to every one. The question would therefore
activity efficiently and without any way indulging in indolence. arise why do we need a code for something that is so obvious? The Jainism lays down the following five major types of indolence, reply is simple. All of us are aware that exercising vigor is necessary viz. i) Vishay, which means indulgence in sensuous objects like for gaining anything. How many people, however, actually exercise sound, sight, smell, taste and touch, ii) Kashäy, meaning the it appropriately? While undertaking any activity, most of the people defilement pertaining to anger, arrogance, deception and greed, are overcome by indolence. They are frequently led by the tendency ii) Vikathä meaning unnecessary talks pertaining to politics, nation, to indulge in lethargy, sluggishness etc. For instance, a student food and sex, iv) Nidrä, meaning excessive sleep and v) Pranay might be aware that for securing admission to the course that he meaning too much attachment. These aspects tend the people to aspires, he needs to gain a high score. He would also be aware that remain indolent and thereby lead them away from seeking the if he properly exerts, he can gain the required score. But somehow, well being of soul. Every aspirant is therefore required to avoid he may be led away by lethargy and would not put in the required these types of indolence and to practice the spiritual code with amount of work. Thereby, he may miss the chance of getting vigor and enthusiasm. The verse from the Panchächär Sutra, quoted admission to the course.
at the top of this chapter, therefore states that the spiritual aspirant
needs to practice the code vigorously and without limiting or Incidents of losing opportunities on account of lethargy occur in all walks of life. Such lethargy usually arises out of indolence,
restraining his energy and capability. laziness, overindulgence etc. Suppose a person might have to appear This leads us to a controversial aspect. It is contended that for an interview for getting a job. He may, however, not do enough Jainism being Karma-oriented, it believes in the inexorable law of home work and may therefore fail to get the job; one may ignore Karma. If the living beings get different types of situations as the the maintenance of his car and may undertake a journey during result of their Karma, there would be no escape for them but to which the car may get stuck and he fails to go to the destination; bear the consequences of their Karma. Jainism is thus viewed as one may stay lustful and thereby ignore the work which he is endorsing inactivity and discouraging the energetic effort. How supposed to do; one may not remain careful enough about his can we reconcile that view with the description of Viryachär? This income and expenditure, whereby he may fail to pay the mortgage question is closely associated with the controversy between dues and may consequently face a foreclosure.
Prärabdha and Purushärtha or destiny vs. endeavor, let us therefore
consider it here. Doing anything on time needs vigilance and motivation. But there is no motivation comparable to the self-motivation. Only
(continued on Page 21 ) 18/ JAIN DIGEST. Fall 2003