________________
:300:
Jinabhadra Gani's
[The Boţika
Veuvve'vayade vāie hikhadde pajaņaņe ceva Tesim aņuggahatthā lingudayaţthā ya patto o. (5)
[For the purpose of refraining from the use of fire produced by collecting straw, and for the observance of dharma-dhyāna and śukla-dhyāna, and also for the benefit of the sick, as well as (as a covering) for the dead, one should use a garment. The garments should be-two of cotton, and one woollen-as one's own self, and 21 hands broad. A sadhu' carries a muhapatti with the object of removing collected particles of dust and he ties it over his mouth and nostrils, while cleaning the upāśraya. While taking an object, while removing it, while replacing it, while rearranging a bed-sheet disturbed from a bedding prepared for the night, and as an emblem of asceticism one should use a rajoharaṇa. For the purpose of covering the exposed sexual organ of the male as well as of the female out of decency, and for covering the male organ excited by the sight of the female, a cola-patta a loin-cloth is necessary. All these garments are very useful for the preservation of samyama-dharma-duties of an ascetic. ]
Uses of pātra and mātraka are now explained. If an ascetic possesses pātra he can save the life of so many creatures found in milk, grapes etc. For if milk etc, is received in hands, the small insects abounding there-in will perish without doubt. But if milk etc. is received in some vessel insects etc. would be placed inside the vessel in stead of falling down.
Secondly, when milk is received in hands the same would flow down on the ground, and give rise to small gernis resulting in the loss of more lives.
Thirdly, in absence of vessels, faults like that of bondage of Karman eto, would arise.
Fourthly, good turns like that of distributing food etc. to the sick and poor, could only be done with the help of a pātra; in the absence of a pātra it is not possible to do so.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
