Book Title: Religion and Philosophy of the Jainas
Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi
Publisher: Jain International Ahmedabad

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Page 227
________________ 194 RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE JAINAS (a) When done without a necessary reason it is aticāra of the vow. (b) If done for a necessary reason (to cure a disease, for instance), it is not an aticāra. Docking horses' tails would come under this. 4. Atibhārāropana : It means to overload an animal or person. If greed is the reason of the overloading, or any cause but extreme case of necessity, then putting such loads on the animal or pers is an aticāra, If loads are put on, the strength of the animal or person should be known and less should be put on than it can carry. 5. Anna-pāna-nirodha means withholding food and drink. [a] If done for a cruel object, it is an anācāra. [b] If done without a necessary cause, but still not for mere cruelty, then it is an aticāra. Anācāra means breaking the vow, aticāra means partial transgression. [c] If it is done for any necessary or proper cause, then the animal or person (or child) should not be starved or underfed. Then it is not an aticāra. The above particular cases are given as illustrations of ways in which the first vow can be partially transgressed. There may be other ways; for instance, anyone who believes in mantras, or thought-forms, would be breaking the vow or partially transgressing it if he uses these to injure the person or animal. Any line of conduct which results in killing. These twelve vows of which this first is one, are all based on dayā (love, kindness, thoughtfulness for others), just as the thirty-five rules of ordinary dharma are. These twleve vows are the special dharma as distinguished from the ordinary dharma. Fruits of the First Vow It is the opinion of the Jaina philosophy that the results of the observance of this vrata (vow) are good health, strong body, strong constitution, etc. in the future or next following life. No separation from friends, relations, or parents. There would be happiness, the legitimate pleasures of life, comforts, long life; he Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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