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RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE JAINAS
VOWS (VRATAS)
Vrata' is approximately translated by the English word 'vow.' But an analysis of the vrata is given below so that there will be no ignorance of what the vrata is, or what its content is.
In this stage of development (the 5th) which is now being described, there is only partial self-control, and the details aiready mentioned in the low, moderate and high degrees of partial selfcontrol are for the purposes of showing more definitely what the partial control is. And it is further shown by explaining the 12 Vows which a person in this 5th stage of development may take. It should be remembered that these stages of development are not chronological but logical. Meaning of the term “Vrata'
The word 'vrata' is derived from 'vr' which means to select or to choose; therefore literally a vrata means a kind of choice. But in the technical or idiomatic sense in which the word is used in the connection now under consideration there is also the meaning of choosing a right course, and then there is the implied effort of will in willing to so choose.
Choice implies that the person has before him several ways of conduct, and that he picks out one from among them. As it is persons in the fifth stage of development that are now being spoken of, these persons are in the state of samyaktva (and not mithyātva), and this means that there selection will be a right and proper one. Persons in the state of mithyātva will not choose the path of rectitude.
The choosing of a right course of conduct from among many ways necessitates the exercise of the judgment and discrimination. And doing this is not following the path of least resistance, so that the exercising of the judgment in selecting a right course of conduct as distinguished from living a life where no such choice is made implies an effort of will.
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