Jaina Acara Siddhanta aur Svarupa

Author(s): Devendramuni
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 75

Jaina Acāra : Siddhānta aura Swarūpa
41 the standpoint of activity and inclination householders are of eight types as given below :
(1) Renunciation of violence and the like with the help of two means and three activities.
(2) Two means and two activities. (3) Two means and single activity (4) One means and three activities. (5) One means and one activity. (6) A householder of great penances without violation.
(7) A householder who does not believe in taking vows but thinking and doing the right thing is his second nature.
There are six kinds of those who accept four vows, six of three vowx, six of two vows and six of one vow. The total comes to thirty. The thirty-first kind is of (7) as above and the thirty-second of (8) as above. At the present the greatest householder is he who renounces all sins by employing two means and indulging in three activities. Those who take special vows observe small vows with three means and three activities, but it cannot be adopted by an average lay man. This is because many lay persons have dealings with such as have not renounced sinful activities. They do not permit but they may not be able to open their mouth to their elders and senior associates. Because of their being involved in domestic affairs, they are seldom able to cut themselves off and that too, with unbending firmness. At times someone may have to say some thing which is not all faultless.
You ask somebody to take meals but he may be a non-vegatarian and hence to staisfy his hunger you take him to a five-star hotel. Relations have been maintained even when there is no possibility of reclaiming derelicts.
"Upāsakadasāriga' relates that one Mahāšataka had thirteen wives. Of them Revath was of very cruel nature. She despatched her twelve co-wives by administering poison to them and using lethal weapons. She became the sole mistress of the house. The husband was farsighted. He knew that she was of a violent nature but also that she was not profligate. On being turned out of the house, she would have been more violent and dissolute too. He could not love her, but also not leave her. Because of his living together he did incur sin which he meant to wash off by resortive to vows with two means and three activities. This was the only recognised way he could save himself from that dire calamity.
Ideals set forth for the laity in Sūtrakratāriga' are :
1. He knows the secrets of merit and demerit.