Jain Journal 2005 10

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

Page 16

S.P. PADMA PRASVAIS (ULICREAS DEPICTI DIN THEIR FOLK LITERATURE 69
These beliefs have encouraged the tradition of passing the songs down to generations preserving them in their full form. Similar beliefs nurtured by Indians have helped to pass down Vedas, and Jaina Āgamas for thousands of years.
ii) Religious culture
Jaina texts prescribe that every householder should perform six duties every day. These six duties are worshipping the god (Devapuja), serving the saints, self-study (Svūdhyāva), self-control, meditation and donating what onc posseses (Dāna). This prescription has given room for so many traditions and customs. Jaina folk literature also reflects these traditions. A 'dream song' which is sung in the morning of the marriage day by grooms party, tells like this.
"O mother! I dreampt in the early morning That your son got up in the morning Earlier than others and before the bud blossom, Opens the door of Godroom on the upstairs and Bowing to the god".
Here, the tradition of bowing to god as soon as we get up from the bed is indicated. That too, he is the groom getting married after some hours !. Even on that busy and exiting day, he has not forgotten his duty of salution to god first.
Similarly, there are other folksongs which describe the glory of different worships saying that “Milky Abhiseka is going on in the temple and pappa is attending that' etc. are also being sung. Their devotion to god is so much that a folkverse says 'two parrots sitting on the green cocoanut tree, in front of the temple (Basadi) sing the song on lord Pārsvanātha.
The Jains have another religious custom, i.e. — taking food before sunset. This is for the reason that more micro-organisms are generated at night. With a view to minimise their victimization, preparation and consuming food at night is prohibited in Jainism for ages. This tradition is followed by all the Jains irrespective of their