Some Jain Concepts and Conduct

Author(s): Sushma Singhvi
Publisher: B J Institute

Page 46

Śravakācāra : Code of Conduct of a Householder]
[35
devices considered as proper and admissible
Posahovavāsa - the third śikṣāvrata is posahovavāsa, that is fasting on the pausadha day which stands for the 8", 14th and 15th day of a fortnight or any other day. On the sacred day Śrāvaka gives up food, starting his fasting from the previous evening and ending till the occur of the next days forenoon milk (thus abandoning four meals in all). The fasting may be longer, avoiding six meals or eight meals and so on. During this period he does not take bath and do not use any kind of cosmetics and garlands or ornaments and desists from all sinful activities and spends the time in yogic posture or lying down on seats and beds made of kuśagrass or wooden flake. He remains vigilant and self-aware during the whole length of fasting. 54 The Śrāvaka observes strict celibacy during the period. This pausadhopavāsa may be observed in full or in part in respect of food, bodily care sexual intercourse, worldly occupation. In respect of āhāra the śrāvaka may take once of twice tasteless food nirvikrti or only rice and water (only once) āyambila or taking only water. This is partial pausadhopavāsa. In complete pausadhopavāsa he abandons from food and drink, similarly the observance can be partial or complete in respect of bodily care, sexual intercourse of worldly occupation.55
The five aticāras of this śikṣāvrata are :- (i) appadilehiya duppadilehiya sijjasanthara - using sleeping place or bed, not examined or examined improperly (ii) appamajjhiya duppamajjhiya sijjasanthara - Using a sleeping place or bed not swept or swept improperly (iii) appadilehiya duppadilehiya uccarpasavanabhumi - using a place of excretion not examined or examined improperly. (iv) appamajjhiya duppamajjhiya uccarpasavanabhumi - using place of excretion not swept or swept improperly. (v) posahovavāsa(saha)ssa sammani ananupalanaya - improper performance of the fast."