Self Awareness Through Meditation

Author(s): Ranjitsingh Kumat
Publisher: Ranjitsingh Kumat

Page 49

SELF AWARENESS THROUGH MEDITATION
The 'Sanvar' and 'Nirjara' together constitute the way to emancipation or ‘Moksha'. The practices recommended for 'Sanvar' or checking the in-flow of new ‘karmas' are:
1. Anuvrata and Mahavrata—Pledges for right conduct 2. Samayika or Equanimity 3. Samyaktava or Right vision 4. Giving up anger, greed, ego and fraudulent behaviour 5. Wakefulness.
For exhaustion or ‘Nirjara’ of Karmas the practices recommended are ‘Pratikramana’ or retreat, fasting, ‘Swadhyaya’ or study, 'Dhyaana' or meditation, 'Sanlekhana' or to observe with equanimity.
Anuvrata and Mahavrata
As mentioned above, the attainment of right vision and right understanding must lead to right conduct. Restraint is the mainstay of Dhamma. Our activities through body, mind and speech, if conducted without restraint, attract new ‘karmas' to the existing stock and to check this in-flow, restraint on one's activities is essential. The five pledges advocated by Lord Mahavir are—
(a) “Ahimsa or non-violence, (b) 'Satya’ or Truth or non-falsehood (c) 'Achorya' or non-stealing (d) 'Brahamacharaya' or continence and (e) “Aparigraha' or limit on accumulation of wealth.
When these vows are observed partially and with limitations and exceptions, these are called 'Anuvrata' or Small Pledges and when these are observed fully without any exception and limitation, including the vow not to commend the wrong actions of others, it is called Mahavrata or the Big Pledge. The latter are mainly observed by ascetics who have given up family life. In case of Mahavrata, the ascetic or 'Shramana' is ordained not to kill by thought, word or deed any being, or get killed through someone or commend killing by anyone. Similarly in case of continence, the ascetic is not supposed