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MANAV DHARMA / 27
Now Comes The GUNA VRATAS
दिग्व्रतमनर्थदण्डवत्तं च भोगोपभोगपरिमाणम् । अनुबृंहणाद्-गुणानामाख्यान्ति गुणाव्रतान्यार्याः ॥६७॥
Explanation :
Because the DIGVRATA, the ANARTHA DANDAVRATA and the BHOGOPABHOGA PARIMANA VRATAS (VOWS) tend to encrease virtue (i.e. the merit of the five ANUVRATAS) great personages have called them GUNVRATAS. With the help of these three Gunvratas. The Eight Basic Virtues are made pious and pure. Now let us see what is the basic idea of DIGVRATA and how it is followed or adopted ?
दिग्वलयं परिगणितं कृत्वातोऽहं बहिर्नयास्यामि । इति संकल्पो दिग्व्रतमामृत्यणुपापविनिवृत्त्यै ॥६८॥
Explanation :
"I shall not travel beyond these limits", to resolve like this, having a view to avoid the commission of even subtle sins (beyond those limits) previously determined the bounds of space in the ten directions, for the rest of one's life is called DIGVRATA.
This Digvrata is resolved to follow up Anuvratas innocently and to avoid subtle sins which are being done in the different activities of walking and moving here and there. The idea is to decrease the commission of sins and to increase the feelings of contentment. What are the basic factors on which the Digvrata is to be followed? Let
us see -
मकराकर - सरिदटवी - गिरिजन - पदयोजनानि मर्य्यादाः । प्राहुर्दिशां दशानां प्रतिसंहारे प्रसिद्धानि ॥६९॥
Explanation :
In placing limits on ones' movement in the ten directions, well known oceans, rivers, forests, mountains, countries and "Yojana" marks should be selected as boundaries. So an Indian may do a vow that in the north, his movement will not be beyond Himalayas, in Deccan upto vindhyachal mountain; On the east upto Brahmaputra river and in the west upto Jodhpur Marwar, he will not entertain any kind of business of giving and taking and the movement beyond these limits. And to follow such a vow strictly is known as DIGVRATA. What are the consequences when this Digvrata is followed, let us see in next verse :
