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Jaina Logic
it the very act which is generally regarded as unworthy of doing becomes worthy of doing, and vice versa. So, the act which we perform in normal conditions should be avoided in special conditions.
415
The path of exceptions is certainly conducive to the path of general rules, it is never detrimental to it. It is with the help of the injunction of exception that the path of general rule can develop and gather strength. Both together can achieve the original and final goal. For example, food and drink are certainly for the sustenance and nourishment of life, but we also observe that sometimes even giving up of food and drink saves life. Thus, when the apparently opposite practices strive to achieve the same goal, they fall under the category of utsarga-apavada (general precept and exceptions). If we call utsarga (general precept or rule) a soul, then we should call apavāda (exception) its body. Their joint or common purpose is to make life harmonious. By following both the paths judiciously one can live a harmonious life.
Both the paths-one of general rule and another of exception-have the same end in view. The purpose for which a general rule is formulated is the same for which exceptions are made. In other words, the purpose for which a general rule operates is the same for which its exceptions operate. We explain the point by an example. For the practice of monastic discipline, there is a general rule that a monk should accept only pure food. Similarly, there is an injunction of exception for monks to accept even the unacceptable food (unacceptable due to certain reasons like its being specially prepared for monks) on special occasions (there being no other way on those occasions like monk's illness, etc.) for the sake of the practice of monastic discipline. Thus general rule and exception have the same end in view.
Acarya Hemacandra in his auto-commentary on the verse III. 87 of his Yogaśāstra writes as follows:
kambalasya ca varṣāsu bahir nirgatānām tātkālikavṛṣṭāv apkāyarakṣaṇam upayogaḥ/bala-vṛddha-glananimittam varṣaty api jaladhare bhikṣāyai niḥasaratā kambalāvṛtadehānāṁ na tathavidhā apkāyaviradhanā / uccaraprasravanadipiḍitānāṁ kamabalāvṛtadehānām gacchatām api na tathävidhä virādhana/
Meaning: It is rainy season. A monk is out on begging tour (for food) and suddenly it starts raining. At that time, he should cover his body with a woollen blanket or shawl with a view to protecting waterbodied beings. Or, it is raining and a monk goes out to bring food for a child
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