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Śrāvakācāra : Code of Conduct of a Householder]
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there are even uttara guņas, which are divided into two groups namely guņavratas and śikṣāvratas. The terms mūla guna and uttara guņa are explained with reference to the imaginary of a big tree the former being roots and the later the body of the tree nourished by the roots. Twelve vratas :
Abiṁsā aṇuvrata- this vrata occupies the most important position in the moral code of the Jainas. Absolute ahimsā is possible only for the monks who live an extremely austere life, denying themselves of all comforts and amenities of life. The life of lord Mahāvira described in the IX Chapter of the Ayaro is an example of the practice of absolute ahimsā as understood by the Jainas. The ahiṁsā vrata observed by a Śrāvaka is imperfect, because for him it is not possible to avoid all kinds of himsā for instance he has to do agriculture and other work which necessarily involve injury to living organisms. Such himsā is called arambhaja, which is not committed intentionally.
A Srāvaka, however, is prohibited from inflicting injury to life with a motive. The motivative himsā is called sankalpaja, which is strictly prohibited in Jainism. This implies that any piviession or occupation that involves intentional himsā is unworthy of being adopted by a Śrāvaka. Even in the event of arambhaja himsā, a Śrāvaka should be extremely careful in order to avoid unnecessary injury to living organisms. In brief a Srāvaka is required to avoid all sorts of hiṁsā, that are avoidable and as regards the unavoidable ones he should be extremely careful and vigilant in order to avoid himsă as far as possible.
A householder is likely to destroy living organisms in five places namely oven (cūlhā), grinder (cakki), broom (Jhādu), pestle (mūsala) and martar (okhali) and water pot. 19 This involve
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