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PRABUDDH JEEVAN
JUNE 2015
ing at peace with the world. 10. Limited Duration of would have used the same for his nourishment, comActivity Vow (Desavakasika Vrata): This vow sets new fort and pleasure. limits to the limitations already set by Dik Vrata and Peaceful Death (Sanllekhana): 1 Bhoga Upbhoga Vrata. The general life long limitation in the final days of life, a househoder can attain a of doing business in certain areas and the use of ar- peaceful death if he/she truly follows the above twelve ticles are further restricted for particular days and times vows. The peaceful death is characterized by non-atof the week. This means that one shall not, during a tachment to worldly objects and by a suppression of certain period if time, do any activity, business, or travel passions at the time of death. The last thought should beyond a certain city, street, or house. 11. Limited be of a calm renunciation of the body, and this thought Ascetic's Life Vow (Paushadha Vrata): This vow re- should be present long before death supervences. quires a person, to live the life of a monk for a day or Conclusion: longer. During this time one should retire to a secluded By performig these twelve vows, a lay follower may place, renounce all sinful activites, abstain from seek- live a righteous life and advance towards a fuller and ing pleasure from all objects of the senses and observe more perfect life, and conquer desire. While earning due restraint of body, speech and mind. A person fol- wealth, supporting family, and taking up arms to prolows five great vows (Maha-vratas) completely during tect himself his family, his country, against intruders, this time. He passes his time in spiritual contempla- he is taught self restraint, love and enmity. On one hand, tion, performs meditaton (Sämäyika), engages in self- he is debarred from doing any harm to himself, to his study, reads scriptures, and worships Gods (Arihantas family, to his country, or to humanity by reckless conand Siddhas). This vow promotes and nourishes one's duct. On the other hand, by giving up attachments he religious life and provides training for ascetic life. gradually prepares himself for the life of ascetics. If one
12. Charity Vow (Atithi Samvibhäg Vrata): One goes deeper into the rules laid down, he will find that should give food, clothes, medicine, and other articles the practice of limiting the number of things to be kept of his own possession to monks, nuns and pious and or enjoyed eliminates the dangethe danger or concenneedy people. The food offered should be pure and tration of wealth at one point, which will help to minigiven with reverence. One should not prepare any food mize poverty and crime in society. especially for momks or nuns because they are not al
(To be Continued) lowed to have such food. Donating of one's own food 76-C, Mangal Flat No. 15, 3rd Floor, and articles to monks and others provides as inner Refi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Matunga, Mumbai-400019. satisfacton and raises one's consciousness to higher Mobile : 96193/79589/98191 79589 level. It also saves him from acquiring more sins if he Email : kaminigogri@gmail.com
Story of the Third Chakravarti Maghava:
Out of the virtuous twelve Chakravartis, Maghava Chakravarti was the third and reigned in the period of the 15th Tirthankara Dharmanath. At that time, Shravasti Nagari was very large and glorious where a king named Samudravijay was living happily with his queens. His chief queen was Bhadra, very beautiful and soft hearted. Before the birth of Maghava, queen Bhadra saw 14 dreams. When the child was born he was called Maghava which meant Indra as he was very good looking and courageous.
In his young age he saw a Chakra in his armory. He adored the Chakra and paid homage. Along with the Chakra and army he commenced his journey to win the different states in Bharat Ksetra. After winning all the kingdoms he entered his own Shravasti Nagari. All the kings and Indras honored him as a Chakravarti king and performed Rajyabhisheka ceremony.
There were many kings under his sovereignty. He had lots of queens, jewels, elephants and all luxuries but he thought of other ways which could help him in getting moksa. He established many jeweled golden shrines on hills for the benefit of people. He gathered more punya with this act. Thus he became a famous Chakravarti in true sense. In the end of his life he renounced the world to be an ascetic. After completing his lifespan he became Deva and later on he will attain Moksa in birth.
