Samayik And Chaityavandan Vidhi

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 20

He restrains the five sense organs, he observes the celibacy with its nine stipulations and he is free from the four defilements; he is thus equipped with these 18 attributes.
Of the 36 attributes of Acharya, this stanza describes first 18. It states that he restrains the sense organs. Skin, tongue, nose, eyes and ears are the five sense organs and touch, taste, odor, sight and sound are respectively the objects of those senses. The skin is required to be restrained from indulging in the sensation of touch, the tongue from the sensation of taste, the nose from the sensation of odor, the eyes from the sensation of sight and ears from the sensation of sound.
Then it states that he observes the celibacy by resorting to nine stipulations that help in protecting the same. When a plant is sown, it is necessary to erect a hedge around it so as to protect it from being trampled over or from being devoured by the animals. If one hedge is not considered enough, it may have to be reinforced by another hedge. The celibacy is a vow that needs very strong protection. Jain precepts therefore lay down the following nine stipulations to serve as hedges in protecting the observance of celibacy.
1) One should not stay along with the female, the eunuch or the animal. 2) He should not talk about the females. 3) He would not occupy, for a while, the seat that was used by a female. 4) He should not look at the limbs of females with the sense of attachment. 5) He should not occupy a place, behind which a couple might be staying. 6) He should not recall the love aspects that he might have earlier availed of. 7) He should not consume intoxicants. 8) He should not eat more than enough. 9) He should not adorn the body.
It would be seen from the list that some of the stipulations are laid down for the males. It is, however, implicit therein that the female observers similarly avoid the male impact, wherever it is applicable.
Thereafter the Sutra states that he should be free from the four defiling instincts that are known as Kashäy. The term means the instinct that leads to the prolongation of worldly life. Basically, craving and aversion or Räg and Dwesh are the principal factors that are responsible for the worldly existence. In order to make their impact clearer, they are divided into the following four aspects, 1) Krodh meaning anger, animosity etc. 2) Män meaning ego, arrogance etc. 3) Mäyä meaning deception, dishonesty etc. and 4) Lobh meaning greediness, covetousness etc. The Guru or Acharya is free from these four defilements. This completes the 18 attributes laid down in the first stanza.
Panch Mahavvayjuto, Panchvihäyär Pälan Samattho; Panch Samio Tigutto,