Spiritual Code and Restraints

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 59

Before concluding let us consider what a person should exactly do during Sämäyik. He has obviously to contemplate and meditate about the soul. Basic thinking should be to inquire from within, 'Who am I?' 'What is my true nature?' 'How can I realize that? 'How can I avoid other involvement?' Infinite perception, infinite enlightenment, infinite bliss and infinite vigor are the attributes inherent in soul. We do not realize that because we are under the impact of defilement arising from craving and aversion, and are overcome by delusion resulting from ignorance about our true nature. Anger, arrogance, deception and greed are the principal defilements that afflict the soul. During Sämäyik, the people should practice to stay away from them. They should also try to cultivate the sense of detachment towards the worldly aspects.
Chapter 16
DESHÄVAKÄSHIK The Second Discipline
Preshyaprayoganayane Pudgalkshepanam tathä Shabdarupänupätau Cha Vrate Desävakäsike
Yogshästra (Procuring something from beyond the stipulated area by sending or calling or signaling someone or by asking verbally or by mute signs, constitutes the transgressions of
Deshävakäshik)
Deshävakäshik is the second discipline, which we are going to examine now. As per order, in which we have been describing the restraints, Deshävakäshik happens to be the tenth. The order and the classification of the restraints is, however, not uniform in Jain tradition. Most of the books follow the order adopted by us. Tattvärthasutra, on the other hand, considers Deshävakäshik as an auxiliary restraint and treats it as seventh restraint. That pattern is generally acceptable to Digambar tradition.
The difference arises on account of the varying approach in viewing the matter. This discipline pertains to restricting one's activities within a smaller area for some time. As such, it is a disciplinary restraint. Shwetambars emphasize the disciplinary aspect, while Digambars lay emphasis on the restraining part. From the former point of view it is a discipline, while from the latter point of view it is an auxiliary restraint.
Deshävakädhik is not well known and is not frequently performed. Those, who perform it, mostly call it by the Prakrit term Desävagäsik. It is usually performed as an alternative of Paushadh Vrat, which we are going to consider in the next chapter. 'Deshävakäshik' is composed of 'Desh' meaning a part or limited and 'Avakäsh' meaning the area. The termination 'Ik' is applied to convey that it pertains to limiting the area of activity. This discipline thus deals with further restricting the limitations that may be laid under the sixth and seventh restraints.