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Jaina View of Life
others what has been said by one's wife in confidence under special circumstances." iii) Mṛşopadesa. It refers to perverse teaching and advice leading to evil consequences. iv) Kujalekhakaraṇa is preparing a false document like forgery etc.
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3. Asteya-vrata forbids us to commit theft or even to take others' articles not specifically meant for us. It forbids us from i) accepting stolen articles at cheaper rates, ii) instigating others to steal, iii) acquiring property in a country which is hostile to our own. Even grass or wood obtained under such circumstances must be regarded as stolen.36 Even transgressing the frontiers forbidden by the State is an infraction of this vow.27 Black market is covered under this aticāra. iv) kūṭatula-kūța-māna: using false weights and measures and taking exhorbitant interest on loans is an infraction of this vow.
These Aticaras are mainly concerned as a warning to the community in which individuals and groups are likely to violate the five vows here and there. Similar infractions of this Vrata have been mentioned with reference to officials as well in the State. Corrupt officials are also to be considered as thieves.
4. Brahma-vrata is important in Jaina ethics. It has been considered from the points of view of personal efforts for salvation and of social health. Detailed classification of the vows and their infractions have been worked out. In their analysis we find psychological acumen. The Vrata has negative and positive aspects. In the negative aspect a householder has to abstain from sexual contact with other's wife (aparadārāgamana), and positively he has to be satisfied with his own wife. He cannot even arrange marriages of other women, except in the case of his own children. He should avoid sex literature and sex brooding. The aticaras of this Vrata cover most
25. Avas yakasutra: with commentary. Haribhadra 821.
26. Tattvärthasutra: with commentary. Siddhasena, vii. 22. 27. Srävakadharma Pañcās aka (Devachanda Lalbhai No. 102) 1952.
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