Mokshamala

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 26

of death? We should always keep in mind that every being wants to live and there is no religion comparable to protecting the life of all beings."
The king was pleased to hear what Abhaykumär said. The nobles also made out the truth. From that day they vowed not to take meat, because it is non-eatable. Since meat cannot be produced without slaughtering animals, it is irreligious. After hearing Abhaykumär they directed their attention towards granting Abhay (fearlessness) to every living being; and that is the source of spiritual bliss.
Lesson 31: Taking vows
You might have heard the term Pachchhakhän. It has been derived from Pratyakhyan and denotes taking of vow or vows not to turn the mind towards the specific objects. Vow-taking serves a sound and subtle purpose. If one refrains from eating or availing an article without taking a vow, it does not prevent Asrav (influx of Karma), because the desire for that article has not been fundamentally restrained. We might not be taking food after sunset, but if we have not taken vow for that purpose, it does not become fruitful, because we have kept it open for us to take the same, if we want.
If the door of our house is not closed, some animal or a human being can come in. Similarly if we have not restrained the desire, Karma would penetrate. In other words, we are still free to go in for it and that is the cause of acquiring Karma. If we have taken the vow for not dong it, we are no longer inclined to think of it. We know that we cannot see the central part of our back, as such we do not even try to see it. Similarly we know that after taking a vow we cannot eat or avail the particular object; hence our attention is not directed towards it. That works as an obstructing wall for the incoming Karma. After taking a vow if we happen to transgress it due to loss of memory or on any other account, the great men have suggested to resort to repentance etc. for atoning for the fault.
There is another important advantage in taking vows. It restricts our attention towards a few things for which we have not taken vows; the rest of them are excluded. We have not to think or worry about accepting or maintaining those objects, which we have vowed to give up. Thereby the mind is broadened and it flows at ease on the designated path. Even if a horse be very strong, once it is bridled, it can be led to the desired destination. Similarly a harnessed mind can be led towards the wholesome path. By repeatedly leading it towards that path it gets concentrated and becomes capable to think with discernment.
A pleasurable mind is conducive to health. Moreover, taking vows to avoid non-eatables, multi-organism, adultery etc. also helps in maintaining health. The mind goes astray by taking alcoholic objects, but it can be restrained from that by taking the vow; it gets purified.
You would now make out how noble it is to take vows and to observe restraints. For further details I advise you to contact a true Guru or resort to scriptural texts.
Lesson 32: Extending respect in order to gain accomplishment
When Shrenik was ruling over Räjgruhi, there lived in that city a lowly person termed as Chändäl. When his wife was pregnant, she got a strong urge to taste mangoes and asked her husband to bring the same. The husband replied that it was not the season for mangoes and therefore he was helpless, otherwise he could bring it from any place by virtue of his particular accomplishment. The wife pointed out that there was a mango tree in the garden of the queen that bore mangoes in every season. She therefore asked him to go there and bring the mangoes.