Book Title: Jaina Acara Siddhanta aur Svarupa
Author(s): Devendramuni
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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Page 118
________________ 84 Jaina Acāra : Siddhānta aura Swarupa (2) Presya-It is to send something beyond the prescribed limits. (3) Sabdanupāta-It is to send words to somebody beyond the limits. (4) Rūpānupāta— It is to act on the basis of information brought from beyond. (5) Pudgalapraksepa-It is to attract attention of people by throwing some pieces of stone outside the fixed territorial limits. III. Pausadhopavāsa The word 'Pausadha' is derived from the Sanskrit word "Upavastha' which means a fast-day. But it is observed among Jainas at a religious place where the surroundings impart a spiritual glow. Animals are satisfied with the fodder that is served them lovingly, but man does not live by bread alone. He is capable of realising that he is not the body, but that he has a body. This fast is for the fulfilment of the soul. Householders are too busy otherwise and so it is all the more necessary to spare some time for introspection, for spiritual contemplation, for concentration on the super-soul and the like. The place and surroundings have their own salutary effect. There are holy days too like Astami and Caturdasi which are supposed to be auspicious for such undertakings. The world is laid aside for sometime though it intrudes because of man's being inured to it. Gradually it diminishes and ultimately disappears. This is the time to be conscious of one's own frailties and the attempt on the fast-day is to be rid of them. Prayer moves mountains and such concentration brings out the riches from within to successfully combat the inborn weaknesses. The enemy is lurking inside and inside alone there is the power to vanquish it. This gives man the power to make the latent potent. You are required to reform yourself. If everybody thus reforms himself, society is automatically rejuven nated. There is no straight road to self-realization. It has many turns and twists. And they everybody has to discover his own path. Kamadeva was visited by a god but he was neither tempted nor frightened. There is latent fire in match-sticks but without friction it does not make itself manifest. Without difficulties, without trials and tribulations, our spirit cannot take an upward flight. There are four kinds of this religious fast as follows : (1) Ahārapausadha-It is to fast on an empty stomach, because if one eats, the bowels have to be evacuated. So much time is taken to prepare and cook food. Overeating makes the body and soul sleep. Concentration on righteous and auspicious objects is possible only when the stomach is light. (2) Sarirapausadha-It is to make the body willing and fit enough for right concentration. You must not then think of bathing, smearing oil, perfume and the like. It can be partial or complete. (3) Brahmacharya—It is to give up all thoughts of copulation in order to attain the blissful state. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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