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85
Jaina Acara : Siddhanta aura Swarūpa
85 (4) Avyāpāra-It is to lay aside service, trade, farming or whatever is your means of livelihood.
The fast that is observed for the whole day is 'Pratipūrna' i.e. whole. 'Amrtacandra' has suggested fasting from the first halfday but after renouncing the world for sometime.
The next step is to withdraw sense-organs from their objects and concentrate whole-heartedly for the remaining half-day and next day in succession. The mind should be quite at ease; Speech, if at all, should be measured and sweet. The third step is to sleep comfortably on a clean bed. Before sleeping, there must be some self-study. In the morning after daily routine you should offer your prayerful worship to the detached ascetic with acceptable food. Thus you spend half of the third day in prayers and meditation where there is no trace of even subtle violence. Thus you become free from all inflows of passion and you observe also your other vows side by side. But you cannot be an ascetic because of conduct-deluding karmas which do not leave you untouched. Elsewhere it has been said that the vow should last for three days for pure concentration. There is no question of revengeful concentration or fixity on wordly things. Thus for aspirants there is only the concentration on auspicious and righteous objects. Its five transgressions are as under :
(1) Not to inspect carefully the place fixed for the vow. (2) Not to inspect the bed with care and caution. (3) Failing to watch the place for urination and evacuation. (4) To use it without cleaning or without properly cleaning. (5) Not to observe the fast in the manner prescribed.
In the first four transgressions there is always the possibility of violence.
IV. Atithisamvibhāgavrata The proper observance of vows ensures spiritual upliftment and universal fellow-feeling. This vow implies service, charity, compassion and selflessness. By offering the proper kind of food from preparations for the family the householder does good not only to the ascetic but also to himself. What is offered to ascetics is 'pratilabha' i.e. good for both. The word 'Atithi' means for whom no day or time is fixed. He may appear any time without notice. To keep an equal or equitable portion for him is the purport of this vow. The ideal guests are ascetics, both male and female who should have taken the five great vows, five 'samitis' (cautions) and three kinds of self-control. Votaries feel gratified when they offer faultless food, cloths, and quite willingly too. These are to be offered when hermits themselves
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