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The Path of Arhat : A Religious Democracy
i. e., inner working of mind, for the simple reason that the gross always follows the subtle and no action is actualized without it being previously entertained in the inner mental plane. Therefore the significance of Jaina emphasis on "inward penances lies in the fact that it clearly proves that Jainism does not advocate only sensual repression and physical tormentation as is generally misconceived by these, ignorant of the basic approach of the Jaina seers. These 'inward penances' are known as ‘Bhava-nirjara'.
External penances known as Bahya-tapa are meant to restrain and discipline the sensual cravings. These are of six sub
types?, namely (1) Avašana - fasting, (2) Avanaudarya - reduced diet, ( 3 ) Vrttiparisaukhyāna - delimiting the varieties of food, ( 4 ) Rasa-parityāga - giving up stimulating diet, (5) Viviktaśayyāsana - lonely habitation, (6) Kayakleśa - Mortification of the body. However, these outward restraints are of no use if they are not accompanied by inner restraints and understanding. Unless these outer restraints and penances are able to maintain equanimity of mind and spirit, they would result in mere tormentation of one's body which is strictly prohibited. A fast w th mind lingering in kitchen, is not Nirjară. Contrarily it results in accumulation of fresh karmas. Similarly fasts and other such penances undertaken with a view to gain material benifits or worldly pleasures and to earn pame and prestige in the contemporary society would result in 'Asrava'. It is thus evident that those who celebrate their penances by advertisements, processions and feasts are merely making a mockery of this subtle principle of Nirjara.
The processes of Saivara and Nirjară are not exclusive and hence both can be and should be taken up simultaneously. They are mostly overlapping because both postulate a prior change in mental attitude and approach towards life and its problems. Therefore, the classifications described 1. "अनशनावमौदर्यवृत्तिपरिसंख्यानरसपरित्यागविविक्तशय्यासनकायक्लेशा
Ta' 279:", Tattvartha-sūtra, IX. 19.
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