Jain Journal 1982 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

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An all sided consideration and scrutiny of this passage and these two gāhās would indicate us that the passage in the Ayārānga Sutta could be rather a direct and close echo of what Mahavira taught on the basic concept of ahimsa in his own simple, effective and inimitable way; and the gāhās in the Mulārādhana and Dasaveyaliya could be an indirect and distant echoes of the same.
Then in another gäha,12 the Acarya holds out the greatness of ahimsā amongst other vows :
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There is nothing smaller than the atom and larger than the sky. Similarly there is no vow which is greater than ahimsā. This same idea is elucidated in the very next gāhā13 by comparing ahimsa with the loftiest Mount Meru.
Further, we find an exposition of ahimsa as an all comprising vow :
Just as the sky contains all the three worlds, and the earth holds all the oceans, similarly (the practice of) ahimsa comprises within it (the practice of) all the vows-vratas, silas and gunas.14
Then in the next two gāhās,15 the Acarya describes, in the same figurative language and style, the pivotal position of ahimsa in the entire scheme of the ascetic vows. This description can be summerised as follows:
Ahimsa is the hub of the wheel of religion that holds together the spokes of sila which as well support the outer ring (the ascetic conduct). Moreover the silas play a protective role towards the vow of ahimsa like the hedge towards crop.
Further, it is explained16 that by practising ahimsa, the first vow,
12 No. 784.
13 No. 785.
14 (i) No. 786.
(ii) Somehow the Vijayodaya Commentary of Aparajita Suri does not say anything more about this gaha. But it is curious to know that the Mulacara (M. D. J. Series 23, Bombay, V.S. 1980), in its Silagunaprástaradhikara states, with calculation, that there are in all attharahasatisahassaim 18,000 protective rules of conduct (gaha 2) and 84,000,00 gunas-ascetic virtues (gaha 8 and onwards). All this gives us an idea of the scientific working-out of the Jaina way of ahimsa in the conduct of the monk.
15 Nos. 787-788.
16 No. 791