Jain Journal 1998 07

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

Page 26

LORD MAHĀVĪRA ON PRAMĀDA
Colonel D.S. BAYA SHREYAS (Retd)
When asked by his principal disciple, Ganadhara Gautama, as to how an individual ought to walk, stand, sit, lie-down, eat-drink, and speak, so as not to incur sin,' Lord Mahavira replied that an individual who walks, stands, sits, lies-down, eats-drinks and speaks carefully does not incur sin.2
What is Pramāda ?
The English equivalents of the word 'pramāda' are:
A. Carelessness,
B. Idleness,
C. Indiscretion,
D. Negligence,
E. Non-vigilence, and
F. Remissness.
Accordingly, Pramāda can be defined in two parts-firstly, neglecting to do what one is required to do (or one's duty) due to Idleness or sloth; and secondly, doing what one does carelessly, indiscreetly, negligently, without exercising due vigilence, or with undue
remiss.
Lord Mahavira's answer to Ganadhara Gautama's question lays down a premise for the conduct of spiritual practitioners or sādhakas. The premise is jayaṇāi.e. care vigilence or non-negligence. Thus jayaṇā is the opposite of pramāda, and when the Lord lays down the observance of jayaṇā in each and every action of the sadhaka. He also, by the law of reverses, lays down the avoidance of pramāda.
Another facet of pramada is idleness, inaction or neglecting to do what is essential in the pursuit of one's ultimate goal, which is nothing but spiritual salvation or nirvāṇa. Again, by the law of reverses, it means doing what ought not to be done.
1. kaham care, kaham ciṭṭhe, kahamase, kaham saye I
kaham bhunjanto, bhāsanto, pāvam kammam na bandhai? II Daśavaikālikasütra, 4/7.
2. jayam care, jayam ciṭṭhe, jayamase, jayam saye I jayam bhunjanto, bhāsanto, pāvam kammam na bandhai II Ibid, 4/8.