Mokshamala

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 33

Nowadays there are very few people, who vigilantly perform Sämäyik. There is normally no problem of passing of time, when it is performed along with Pratikraman. Though leisurely people do not even perform Pratikraman with alertness, it is still better to perform it than idling away the time. Those, who do not know how to correctly perform Sämäyik, have the problem of passing time after undertaking it. Some of those with heavy impact of Karma spend it in contemplating over the worldly worries and mar their Sämäyik.
Not to perform Sämäyik adequately is regrettable; it is a sign of heavy impact of Karma. There are 60 Ghadies in a day and they normally go in vain. What one could not gain during the infinite time cycles can be gained by performing one Sämäyik of two Ghadies with a purified mind. In order to perform it vigilantly one should first undertake a Käusagga of four Logassa Sutra so as to steady the mind. Thereafter he should study some sacred Sutra or contemplate over some sacred composition. He can also recite detachmentoriented songs, recall what had been studied earlier, study something new or give instructions to someone based on the scriptural tenets. That is the way to spend time during Sämäyik.
If there be a monk, one should learn from him about the scriptural tenets and contemplate over the same. If no monk is there and if one does not have the knowledge of scriptures, he should listen to detachmentoriented matter from a knowledgeable one. If such facilities are not available, some time can be spent in undertaking Käusagga and some time in reading the life-stories of great men very carefully. In short, the time of Sämäyik should be spent with discernment and enthusiasm. If nothing else is feasible, one should enthusiastically chant Panch Parmeshti Mantra. In no way should the time go in vain.
Sämäyik should be performed quietly, patiently and vigilantly. During that time one should try to increase his scriptural knowledge. Everyone should spare at least two Ghadies out of sixty Ghadis of a day for performing Sämäyik.
Lesson 40: Pratikraman
Pratikraman means to turn back, to recall or to go through again. It generally denotes examining one by one the faults that might have occurred prior to undertaking Pratikraman with a view to recalling and repenting for the same. In the evening and early morning monks and devoted laymen try to repent and atone for the faults indulged during the day or at night; that is termed here as Pratikraman.
One should regularly perform Pratikraman. The worldly soul acquires various types of Karma by exercising the faculties of mind, speech and body. Pratikraman Sutras describe them in brief; thereby one can atone for his faults during the day or night. By repenting with a purified mind one would remain afraid of even minor sin that could extend its consequences in the next life. Thereby the mind remains compassionate; delicacy stays at heart; and one gains the discernment to give up the things worth giving up. That also helps in repenting, to the witness of Lord, for the faults left unnoticed. Pratikraman is a superb means for eradicating the bondage of Karma. It is also termed as Ävashyak, meaning essential. That term is appropriate because Pratikraman is a ritual that needs to be performed. Its performance leads to removal of internal impurities.
Pratikraman that is performed in the evening is called Devasiya Pratikraman, which means atoning for the faults pertaining to the day, that which is performed at the end of night is called Räi Pratikraman, which means atoning for the faults pertaining to the night. Devasiya and Räi are the Präkrut words. Pratikraman, which is performed every fortnight, is called Pakkhi Pratikraman, and that which is performed annually is called Sämvatsary Pratikraman. The learned men have thus devised a well coordinated pattern.
Some so-called intelligent persons contend that there is nothing wrong in performing one single Pratikraman in the morning to atone for the faults during the day as well as the night. But that is not right. In case death occurs during the night, atoning for the day would remain unperformed. Pratikraman Sutra is well planned. Its fundamentals are superb. One should perform Pratikraman patiently, peacefully, with concentration of mind, and in the language that he understands.