Jainism Abroad

Author(s): Pratap J Tolia
Publisher: Vardhaman Bharati International Foundation

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WHY ABANDON NIGHT-EATINGS?
A Self Experience (Based on Teachings of Srimad Rajchandraji) (An interesting Discussion at Rochester, U.S.A.1983)
by
Prof. PRATAPKUMAR J. TOLIYA M.A. (English), M.A. (Hindi), Sahitya Ratna, Jain Sangit Ratna, International Speaker, Performer,
Awardee, Author & Artist, Ex-College Principal, Founder-Dir. Jina Bharati, Vardhaman Bharati International Foundation, Bangalore, Everfirst Jain Discs Producer, Editor - Saptabhashi Atmasiddhi
SOURCE AND BACKGROUND The farsighted, all-sided, integrated TRUTHS realized and revealed by the Omniscient, Arhatas, have an all-timeencompassing everlasting impact due to their eternity, universality and Scientific Nature. The ANEKANTIC approach and interpretations of such truthful revelations assumed form of long-lasting principles, rather the way of life.
One out of many of such principles is ABANDONING OF CONSUMING ANYTHING, EATABLES OR DRINKS, AFTER THE SUNSET, i.e., DURING THE NIGHT TIME.
I came to know about it gradually and practically in actual course of life around me and that of my own, during the long span of 88 years of my life ever since I had joyfully and overwhelmingly adopted it in my blooming youth.
It was the never forgettable experience and obligation of my great Philosopher father, who, while blessing me from the depths of his heart on the Sixteenth Birth Day morning of my life, presented to me a simple but greatly impressive and precious book "MOKSHMALA" written by SRIMAD RAJCHANDRAJI, Great Jain Seer and Mahatma Gandhiji's Spiritual Guide and tauntingly told me :
"I present you this useful Guide-book of life when you are entering today the sixteenth year of your life. At this very age of 16, its Great Luminary Author had written it down only in three days!.... See....at your age he has given such a wonderful present to the world......!! Think and decide today, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO IN YOUR LIFE?"
.... And these words of my kind, well-wishing and inspiring Father worked wonder, like the arrows on me. They became instrumental in changing the course of my life. Taking the book, immediately I went to the Garden of the Royal Palace of Amreli, my native place. Read out the book thoroughly and minutely. Resolved to follow all the useful and Great Jain Principles mentioned therein in my life. Thereafter, leaving the ceremonial Birthday celebrations in the evening, the driving force in me pushed me to the far off lonely Riverbanks for Solitary Evening Meditations. I visualized some wonderful visions and clear future path of my life full of higher aspirations. My life began to transform. ABANDONING of NIGHT-EATINGS which was being observed usually in our family, was the first thing that I followed from that very sight for ever. Co-incidentally, it was the night of BHAGAWAN MAHAVEER'S PARI NIRVANA., DEEPAVALI, when my inner lamp was lit.
The Readings of that wonderful and inspiring book of MOKSHMALA that changed the course of my life by lighting my inner lamp, included the following highly valuable Text explaining the utmost importance of abandoning of NightEatings:
"PRACTICE LESSON 28 : NIGHT-EATINGS" "The Lord has prescribed the Vow of Abandoning of Night-eatings just like Five Great Vows of Ahimsa (Non-Violence) etc. All the four types of consuming (eatings) are forbidden in the night. The "Tamaskay" insects of the type of the particular colour of the food are born in that food during the nights. Apart from this, there are several other disadvantageous ills also in Night-eating. The subtle innocent insects on the nearby walls get destroyed when the fire is to be lit for cooking for the night-eater. The insects in the fire-woods being unable to be seen or noticed get destroyed. Moreover there is the fear of the poison of the snake, saliva of the Spider and even of subtle insects like