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aspect of their lives. This vow is known as 'Prāṇātipät Viramaṇa Vrat' or vow to refrain from hurting or compromising any vitality of any living being because it is this that constitutes violence and refraining from it is non-violence.
The psychic dispositions and cares that help in observing this great vow and enhance its effectiveness are as under:
a. To carefully observe the ground and sweep it of any fine creatures that might be in the way while walking or moving from one place to the other.
b. Not to bring any sinful or worldly thoughts to the mind. c. Not to utter any sinful or violent words.
d. To seek and accept food and other monastic necessities after careful observation for any flaws and without showing any undue humility or gratitude, fear or favour to the giver.
To carefully observe and sweep the places for disposal of waste materials or excretions for any fine and difficult to observe creatures in order to avoid hurting them in any
manner.
2.
e.
The Second Great Vow (Renunciation Of All Falsehood) -
Mrsävad Viramana Vrat
The ascetics neither tell any lies, nor do they ask the others to tell any lies nor do they approve of anyone else telling any lies. They avoid falsehood mentally, bodily and vocally. They neither resort to lies either under the influence of passions, nor under the influence of attachment and aversion nor due to any fear or any other compulsion. Falsehood is deluding and defaming; it encourages enmity, hatred, disinterest and many other mental miseries. It ultimately takes the soul to bad destinies and is, therefore, worth giving up altogether. Having taken this vow, the ascetics always speak the truth, only the truth and nothing but the truth. The rule that guides his speech is to speak beneficial truths and to avoid verbosity. He neither gossips, nor utters 274 JAINISM: THE CREED FOR ALL TIMES
