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Samvatsari Pratikramana
129
Shikshavrats. Vrat means vow, Anu means small, Guna means enhancement and Shiksha means learning or training. Because while living a household life, we can not observe complete vows like Munis.
We take smaller (minor) vows that we can abide by. The five Anuvrats are about - 1-Pranatipaat-non violence - what extent we will observe the vow of non-violence 2-Mrushavaad-truth - what kind of lies we would not commit 3 - Adattadaan-non stealing - weiterate our non-stealing stance 4- Maithun-self control - we abide to refrain from sensuality 5 - Aprigraha-non accumulation - putting limits to our desires for material wealth, and not exceeding them. The three Gunavrats are for enhancing in certain matters, the above Anuvrats by setting geographic boundaries, restrictions on consumption of avocations, etc. 1- Dig pariman vrat - we set geographic limits beyond which we would not go. 2- Bhogopbhog virman vrat - we accept restrictions on the gross number of articles of consumption. We also decide to stay away from all trades which may contribute to violence, directly or indirectly. 3- Anarthdand virman vrat- we resolve to refrain from meaningless violence. The four Shikshavrats are about practices that slowly, but steadily lead towards our eventual goal of Moksha. Though it may seem difficult, it is possible to do so in gradual steps. 1- Samayik - The first Shikshavrat is to take Samayik (48 minutes ofequianimosity) as often as possible.
