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VRATAS व्रत. Approximately translated by the English word vows. But an analysis of the vrata is given below so that there will be no ignorance of what the vrata is, its content.
In this stage of development (the 5th) which is now being described, there is only PARTIAL selfcontrol, and the details already mentioned in the low, moderate, and high degrees of partial selfcontrol are for the purpose of showing more definitely what the partial control is. And it is further shown by knowing the 12 vows which a person in this 5th stage of development may take. (It should be remembered that these stages of development are not chronological but logical.)
The 12th Vralas or Vows. The word "vrata' is derived from vri' whchi means to select, or to choose ; therefore literally a vrata means a kind of choice. But in the technical or idiomnatic sense in which the word is used in the connection now under consideration there is also the meaning of choosing a right course, and then there is the implied effort of will in willing to so choose.
Choice implies that the person has before him several ways of conduct, and that he picks out one from among them. As it is persons in the fifth stage of development that are now being spoken of, these persons are in the state of samyaktva (and not
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