Jain Journal 2013 07

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

Page 12

Duli Chand Jain : The Jaina way of life
need for him to create this universe, which is beginningless and endless.
Every inexplicable event in the life of an individual occurs due to the Karmas accumulated in his previous birth. Karma is conceived as something essentially material which gets interlinked with soul which is councious. As particles of dust get attached to the body smeared with oil, so does Karma with the soul. Lord Mahāvīra says. “Attachment and aversion are the root causes of Karma and Karma originates from infatuation. Karma is the root cause of birth and death and these (birth and death) are said to be the source of misery”.(Utta. Sū. 32.7). He further adds. “None can escape the effect of their own past Karmas. (Utta. Su. 4.3)
Religion in Day to Day Activities
A householder should lead his life in such a way that he continues religious practices faithfully everyday. There are six essentials which a Śrāvaka (householder) is expected to practice everyday in his life. These are enumerated below:
1. Sāmāyika : It is defined as follows : “Sāmāyika is to be devoid of attachment and aversion and to be indifferent to life and death, gain and loss, fortune and misfortune, friend and foe, joy and sorrow” (mulācāra 23). A householder should do at least one Sāmāyika a day for 48 minutes. In this period, he should remain aloof from his domestic and business activities. He should devote his time in selfcontemplation, meditation and scriptural study.
2. Cuturvinshati stava : Worship of twenty four Tirthankaras by reciting their Stotras and Bhajans. Tirthaņkaras are deities free from attachment and aversion and by their worship we try to adhere to atleast some of their virtues in our life.
3. Vandanā : AŚrāvaka should go everyday to the Sädhus (mendicants) and Sādhvis (nuns) and offer his reverential salutation. Association with such holy people results in development of virtues in life.
4. Pratikramaņa : In this, self-contemplation and introspection