Mahavira and his Philosophy of Life

Author(s): Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Jain Vidya Samsthan

Page 60

Keeping limited things of use (Bhogopabhogaparimānavrata); pursuing self-meditation (Sāmāyikavrata); observing fast in a specific way (Prosadhopavāsavrata) and offering food etc. (Atithisamvibhagavrata) to a nonhouseholder guest who observes self-restraint and propagates ethico-spiritual values — all these four have been proclaimed to be Siksāvratas (vows of pursuance).
From the perspective of things of use what has been said is this that one should keep clothes, ornaments etc. in a limited number and avoid the use of vegetables having infinite lives. Besides, other things of daily use should also be limited. And again, one should eschew work as is causing injury to many lives. In order to refrain from unethical actions Sāmáyika (self-meditation) alone is paramount. In this way having recognised Sāmāyika (selfmeditation) as supreme among all the ethical activities of the householder, the wise person should remain occupied with his own ethico-spiritual unfoldment for realising the highest (state of life). That is Prosadhopavāsavrata in which the renouncement of food and bodily embellishment is effected partially or completely and in which the nonperformance of householder's business and the study of spiritual values for comprehending the significance of equanimity are effected partially or completely. Besides, in the Prosadhopavāsavrata Sāmāyika (self-meditation) is performed as a rule. When the systematic offering of food which is pure, fit to be consumed and which is associated with region and season is made to saints, then, that systematic offering has been proclaimed to be householder's Siksāvrata (vow of pursuance) known as Atithisamvibhāgavrata. The gift is regarded as of four kinds. The division of which lies in food, medicine, books
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