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keeping pat animals by way of hobby and indulging in non-vigilant action, evil thoughts, bad advice as also in giving weapons of violence and such other evil activities and sinful acts. When these things are practised, there is no scope for preserving the ideal of non-violence etc. Moreover, without observing the vows of self- discipline such as prayers (Sàmàyika), etc. there can be no training or practice to reach the high ideals in the form of non-violence etc.
By giving this gift of the twelve vows meant for a householder, the Jain religion has given an opportunity to the human soul to rise to the level of the Supreme Soul; for these twelve vows are to be observed for the purpose of practising non-violence etc. of the subtlest kind and when these vows are observed in the prescribed manner, our souls are filled with such enthusiasm and joy that one can accept a totally sinless life of a monk, which is marked by total non-violence,etc by renouncing the world which is characrterised by delusion and attachments. In this state, one has to undertake the path of SAMVARA (stopping of the inflow of the Karmic matter)which consists of three Guptis (threefold self-control), five Samitis (fivefold vigilance), forebearance (Parisahajaya) and forgiveness etc. which are the ten-fold moral qualities of a monk as well as the path of NIRJARÀ which consists of the twelvefold internal as well as external austerities. The soul of a monk who advances in the practice of this spirituality, ultimately, becomes a totally detached and passionless, omnisicent, supreme soul and gradually becomes liberated.
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