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Jaina Acara : Siddhānta aura Svarūpa
confident of refuting oppositionists (6) Penance and renunciation are strengthened (7) Transgressions reach the state of rectitude.
Self- study is food for the soul which must be given day in and day out. The Vedic sage says, "The observance of good conduct, self-study and sermonising are worth adopting. Suppression of external sense-organs, self-study and sermonising. are worth doing; so are worldly dealings, self-study and sermonising. Thus self-study is emphasized everywhere. To light the lamp of knowledge the oil of self-study must be poured therein.
In the past times students, after studying for twelve years, were thus given the parting advice by the preceptor—"Speak the truth; practise piety and never neglect self-study. Self-study will not only add to your knowledge but also sharpen your understanding.”
"Svādhyāya' is good study, i.e. one which helps you rise spiritually. Vedic scholars have interpreted it as study without the help of anybody else, followed by contemplation whether you have progressed or regressed. Another meaning still is the study of self by self.
Lind Mahāvīra has given its five kinds. They are : (1) Vacana-It is to read the text from the teacher. The pupil's job is to
pronounce words faultlessly after the teacher. Not a single letter should be less or more. The verse should be complete in all respects. Pracchana The pupil should closely study the word and its meaning. In case of doubt he should feel free to ask the teacher and thus satisfy himself. Parivartanā—It is to repeat the verse several times so that it gets
imprinted on the mind. This is an aid to memory. (4) Anupreksă-- It is to think seriously of the text and its meaning. It is
an important part of self-study. (5) Dharmakatha—It is the last step after having fully comprehended
the meaning. It is to propagate the text by delivering discourses.
As a bee flies from one flower to another and garners honey which has one taste and colour, although the sources are different. So also a monk's discourse is beneficial both to the speaker and the audience
Here are helpful rules for self-study. (1) Concentration In case the mind rotates in the circumference and
rarely touches the centre, self-study shall be rendered useless. The mind should be riveted to one point. Constancy-There should be no omission. It should be a daily practice. Vişayoparati---- The choice of books should be judicious. They must not be aphrodisiac or such as excite aversion, so as to demoralise
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