Jaina Path of Ahimsa

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

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The Jaina Path Of Ahiṁsā
varieties of Himsā, i.e., injury. Obviously, the concept of Ahimsā, i.e, avoidance of injury becomes very wide, inclusive and comprehensive.
(i) Ahińsā and Satya
Speaking Satya, i.e., truth, is the observance of Ahmisā because Asatya, i.e., falsehood is considered as Himsā., i.e, injury according to sacred Jaina texts. In the standard Jaina work "Purishārthasiddhiupāya", the definition and nature of falsehood are given in the following manner;
यदिदं प्रमादयोगादसदभिधानं विधीयते किमपि । Tanahta astui ACHET: afrat TER : 11 91
that is, wherever any wrong statement is made through Pramāda Yoga, i.e, careless activity of mind, speech or body, it is certainly known as falsehood. Further, falsehood is divided into four kinds :
1. The first kind of falsehood is making a statement by which the existence of a thing with reference to its position, time, and nature is denied, e. g., to say “a particular person is not here" (when he is present ).
2. The second kind of falsehood is making a statement to the effect that a particular thing exists, where that thing does not exist with reference to the position, time, and nature of other objects, e.g., to say "a pitcher is here” (when it is not actually there).
3. The third kind of falsehood is that where an existing thing is represented as something different from what it really is, e. g., when a horse is said to be a cow.
4. The fourth kind of falsehood consists of three types of speaking
viz.,
(a) Garhita, i.e., condemnable, (b) Sāvadya, i.e., sinful, and (c) Apriya, i.e, disagreeable.
The Garhita (i.e. condemnable) speech is said to be all that which is back-biting, unbecoming, ridiculous speech with the use of harsh language and violent words. Besides, useless gossiping and using language which incites unfounded beliefs and superstitions comes under this category of condemnable speech. The Savadya (i.e. sinful) speech comprises all speech that leads to destruction of life by piercing, beating, cutting, stealing, etc. The Apriya (i.e. disagreeable) speech is