Spiritual Code and Restraints

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 56

such intentional or unintentional violence, he now undertakes a Käusagga which is also one of the six essential rituals.
The Sanskrit term for Käusagga is Käyotsarga. It is made up of two words, Käyä meaning the body and Utsarga meaning giving up. So the term means giving up the physical activities. By implication, it means suspending all physical and mental involvement and getting absorbed in spiritual aspects by concentrating and meditating about the Self. Thus Käusagga is helpful in averting the physical as well as mental impurities. Moreover, it enables the aspirant to stay equanimous in face of any inconvenience or discomfort.
During Käusagga, one has to stay motionless. There are however some involuntary movements that are permissible. In Jain terminology they are known as Ägärs. Such Agärs are specified in Annattha Sutra, which is explained later. Since the aspirant is not supposed to make any movement other than those mentioned threin, that Sutra is invariably recited before undertaking a Käusagga.
Käusagga can be for a longer or shorter duration. Its duration is specified in terms of respiration, because concentration can be easily achieved by observing respiration. The most common duration is of 25 respiration. During Käusagga, aspirants are usually instructed to recite 25 lines of Logassa Sutra, which mentions the names of all 24 Tirthankars and adores them. The aspirants are expected to mentally recite one line of that Sutra with every respiration.
Unfortunately most of the people are not aware of this stipulation. They are asked to observe Käusagga of certain number of Logassa. They therefore start reciting the same as fast as possible and then terminate the Käusagga. True Käusagga is supposed to have a very wholesome impact on mind. Being however unaware of its significance, most of the aspirants remain deprived of that wholesome effect. This situation needs to be changed and the people should be made aware of the vital role that Käusagga can play in attaining tranquillity and peace of mind.
Here the aspirant undertakes the Käusagga of 25 respirations for mitigating the violence and/or distress, advertently or inadvertently caused to other living beings. This is a mini Pratikraman. For this purpose, he recites the Iriyavahiam Sutra, which describes how a person is likely to be involved in violence while making movement. Thereafter he recites the following Tassa Uttari Sutra.
Tassa Uttari Karanenam, Päyachchhit Karanenam, Visohi Karanenam, Visalli
Karanenam. Pavanam Kammänam Nigghäyanatthäe Thämi Käusaggam.
It means, 'For the sake of sublimation, repentance, purification, eliminating hurting and
for uprooting the sinful activities, I undertake the Käusagga.'
That is of course subject to the limitations mentioned in the following Annattha Sutra that he now recites.