Sambodhi 2018 Vol 41

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 85

76
Jitendra B. Shah
SAMBODHI
invite Pundits of other religions also and took advantage of their knowledge and expertise. Ayambil Shalas :
Jainism strongly believes in Tapa of body. Accordingly, a shravak takes only one meal, lunch during the day. He takes food prepared from boiled or roasted pulses, without ghee, oil, jiggery, milk, yoghurt and spices. Green or dry vegetables or fruits are also not allowed. This practice is called Ayambil. It is believed to be more crucial in relation to other tapa. All auspicious rituals are followed by Ayambil. Shravaks are supposed to observe 500 Ayambil and Sadhus Vardhmantap. Earlier Shravaks used to observe this practice at home, but since the last 100 years, Jain Sanghs have established Ayambil-shalas to provide food to Shravaks observing Ayambil. There are 26 Ayambil shalas in Ahmedabad. Moreover, in Months Ashwin and Chaitra, Ayambil is observed contuniously for nine days as a part of Navpad- Pooja.
Sangh-yatra :
Earlier, Jains used to travel by foot as there were no facility of vehicles. The Jains still follow the same tradition for mass pilgrimage which is called Sangh-yatra. Sadhus and Shravaks undertake pilgrimage on foot in Chaturvidh Sangh. Shravaks have to observe six vows strictly during Sangh-yatra: (1) Brahmcharya (2) Padchari (travelling on foot) (3) Ekal Ahari(only lunch during the day) (4) Bhoomisanthari (sleeping on the ground) (5) Sachit Parihari(avoidance of Sachit food) (6) Avashyakari(Pratikraman in the morning and evening). Such Sangh-yatra is called Chhari Palit Sangh as all the six vows are followed by ‘Ri'. Such Chhari Palit Sanghs are organized every year. Normally, these Sanghs travel from Ahmedabad to Palitana. Some Sangh-yatra also travel to Sherisa, Shankheshwar, Taranga. Each Sangh has an Acharya accompanied by Sadhus. All the expenses of Sangh-yatra are borne by one or more Shravaks. Rich Shravaks help those poor shravaks during Sanghyatra. They also give charity for jivdaya. Moreover, they contribute to temples of other religions. Thus, the Sangh-yatra has a noble motive of helping others.
Well known Shravikas :
Ujamfai :
Ujam, daughter of Sheth Vakhatchand and sister of Premabhai, was given a large amount of dowry (full of 500 carts). But Ujam was not happy with this dowry. When asked what she wished for, Ujam replied that she