Jainism Abroad

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

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mosquitoes etc., At times, these all become the reasons of dangerous diseases also for the whole of the family."
"In other Puranas etc., cults also, Night-eatings are forbidden for normal codes of conduct, still however, as a ritual of inert traditions, Night-eating has been infiltrated in them, but it is certainly worth-abandoning."
"There are two types of LOTUS (*1) in the body: They get closed due to the setting of the Sun. As a result, there is greater disadvantage of the consuming of subtle insects, which is, as per Ayurvedic Opinion at several places, the cause of vital diseases."
"The virtuous persons have their supper two GHADIS (GHATIKAS) (*2) before the setting of the Sun and do not consume any sort of eating or drinking till two GHADIS (GHATIKAS) after the Sunrise. Thinkings at length should be acquired from the Scriptures or from pious contacts of the monks. It is very much necessary to have the knowledge of subtle variations in this respect. There is very great reason and reapening of the abandoning of four types of consumings (diets & drinks) during the night time. This is the heartful saying of the Jinas........." ("MOKSHMALA": PP 115-116).
This precious text moved every inch of my being. The usual practice of our normal family-practice of eating before the Sunsets took shape of a resolution after understanding its importance through the MOKSHAMALA at the very outset and through, several books and contacts thereafter. These studies went side by side with giving up of other things like Ground roots etc., After these understandings and studies, later on I had taken a vow also of their abandonment from a religious teacher at Poona. With these outer practices and inward studies, my inner light was lit.
II
The inner lamp of transformations lit from that Deepavali Birthday of Sixteenth Year, went on lightening my life path a longway thereafter with several added spiritual practices and Jain Principles of abandoning of Ground Roots and other Uneatables in toto, which were otherwise also rare in our family rigorously following Jain Principles and way of life. Alcoholism, Non-Veg. Diet, Smoking and all the Seven Vices were virtually away from our family which was
(*1) LOTUS: CHAKRAS: The subtle invisible Yogic Centres. (*2) GHADI or GHATIKA : Consisting of 48 Minutes of time.
practicing pious Jain Principles right from our ancestors' times. In this congenial background my principles, spiritual practices and philosophical studies flourished with the beginning of Night Eating Abandonment. Thanks to the inspirations of my farsighted father directly and Srimad Rajchandraji indirectly through his literature. In fact, at the age of six or seven father and mother had taught me his fine touching lyrical poems of "Bahu Poonya Kera", "He Prabhu!", "Apoorva Avasar", etc., His Immortal Great Song of Self-Realisation, "SRI ATMA SIDDHI SHAHSTRA", which we were privileged to record first of all later, was, as per my parents, heard by me not only in my cradle, but also in the Mother's womb, which was another unforgettable obligation of my Great Devotional Mother!
Anyway, in course of these all, my MOKSHMALA - derived transformation beginning with Abandoning of NightEatings and other uneatable things, helped me beyond limits in my aspirations and spiritual practices of advance nature. I felt that this base had played a tremendous role throughout.
During my tours of the inner quest and school-college-university-studies, during,my process of various learnings at the feet and shelter of the Greats, during my various services of Lecturerships and Principalships of Colleges, during my various literary-Cultural-Musical pursuits and during my twelve Foreign tours Abroad of three-fold performances of "MUSIC, MEDITATION, DISCOURSES": Everywhere my practices of above abandoning of Night Eatings etc. have helped me and uplifted me rather than tested me.
Out of innumerable interesting episodes and experiences, a few are worth noting down here: