________________
information, making water a first-rank energy and information carrier. All biological processes are controlled by information i.e. by its reception, storage and release. The time period to remain un-animated varies with the atmospheric conditions i.e. the season. (Ref.: Dasvaikãlika Sutra, 5th Adhyâyana, 2nd Uddeshaka: - Boiled water remains devoid of life for 3,4,5 Prahara, according to the seasons.). 1 Prahara = 3
hours. Q.4 How do the Monks and the Laity adjust themselves with
Dhovana/Boiled water of limited shelf-life to take care of its
non-livingness endowed with “self-reversal” criteria? A.4: It has been gathered that below mentioned practices are being
followed by the Swetambara Sect of Jainas:
i) If a suitable weapon is not reused after a definite period, called shelf-life, for any dead and stale mass of water, the water-bodied living-beings can take rebirth in that mass. Thus that water would again become living-mass. For boiled water, this period is 3 Prahara (1 prahara=3 hours) in rainy season. For different seasans, different timelimits are carefully prescribed.
Qunatity of Solute: While making dhovana, the ash powder of cow-dung is stirred well in the water. To ensure that the quantity of ash used is sufficient, a thumb rule is prescribed for simplicity. For guaranteeing the effectiveness, some excess quantity of ash powder is to be used, so that some of it settles down after its thorough mixing to form colloidal. This thoroughly mixed colloidal ensures proper mixing at molecular level. However, even this carefully prepared dhovana is not to be used for drinking after 5 prahara (15 hours).
Time-period: After 2nd prahara (6 hours after sun-rise), monks can accept the dhovana water from laity, only after getting the already prepared dhovana (having ash sediment settled down at bottom) stirred well. That should also be not used after 5 prahara (15 hrs.). After accepting such water, monks further filter it with a piece of cloth. This filtered water is also not used for drinking after 9 hours in rainy season.. People, who do not have any vow to not to drink water after sun set (chouvihāra), but have taken a vow to not to drink any live-water,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
