Jaina Path of Ahimsa

Author(s): Vilas Sangve
Publisher: Bhagwan Mahavir Research Centre

Page 41

The Jaina Path Of Ahimsā
be relieved from its unbearable anguish and agony. But this kind of killing is considered not as an act of mercy but definitely as an act of Himsā.
(10) Renouncement of Night-eating :
With a view to making the observance of Ahimsā-vrata more complete a strict injuction to restrict the eating activity during the day-time only is levied. It has been laid down in the sacred Jaina text of "Purushärthasiddhi-upāya" that
रात्रौ भुंजानानां यस्मादनिवारिता भवति हिंसा। हिंसाविरतैस्तस्मात् त्यक्तव्या रात्रिभुक्तिरपि 129
that is, “Those who take their meals at night cannot avoid Hiṁsā. Hence, abstainers from Hiṁsā should give up nighteating also”.
It is argued that day-time is the natural time for work and for taking food. Again, food is prepared more easily, with greater care and with less probability of injury to living beings during day than at night. Further, the light of the sun makes it easy to pick out, to separate unwholesome stuff, and to remove the worms and small insects which find place in the material for food. There are many insects which are not even visible in the strongest artificial light at night and there are also many small insects, which have a strong affinity for food stuffs, appear only during night-time. That is why it is concluded in the same sacred text as follows
किं वा बहुप्रलपितैरिति सिद्धं यो मनोवचनकायै :। qrefa Fed FFTSHELT A roupa 11 134
that is, “why discuss further? It is established that he who has renounced night-eating, through mind, speech or body, always observes Ahinisā". As utmost importance is attached to the practice of eating during day-time from the point of view of observance of Ahimsā, certain sacred texts like “Chāritra-sāra” consider "Rātri-bhukti-tyāga”,, i. e., giving up eating at night, as the sixth "Anuvrata”, 1.e., small vow, added to the prevalent set of five Anuvratas.