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The interaction of Sanskrit through Jainism
147
In this life Civaka strictly observe ahimsa (non-killing) wherever possible. When he goes to retrieve the cows which were stolen by the hunters from the cowherds, he does not hurt or kill anyone. He controls the elephant which came to kill Kunamalai without killing it. In certain circumstances he fights with his enemies either to safeguard himself or to save his country.
Civakan observes the different kinds of sâmäyika vratas in several instances, After the fight with the kings to win Kantaruvatattai, Civakan makes a golden image of Lord Arhat. He offers dana and worships the lord Jina who destroys sins. The following lines where this incident is narrated shows that he repents over his sins. (pratikramapa) and determines to avoid sins in future (pratyakhyana).
pirkeju kalattup pävam pulam potu pokkinana
(He removes the sins committed in the battlefield and the aversion caused in the mind after committing sins.)
ceytav ap pavam ellan tirttipun tirtan patam
eytiya catan kvitt Iraincupu tolutu vältti. .4
(He worshipped the lord Arhat, who removes all the sins committed in all births, after obtaining the offerings placed on the feet of Arhat..)
to
Civakan performs vandana and stuti in a mountain before going Cittirakotam and in the temple in Araṇapātam. In these two places he praises the attributes of lord Arhat.
The aspects of vaiyävrtya vow are also explained through the deeds of Civakan. Civaka imparts knowledge (gift of knowledge) to a hunter and converts hunters. who are flesh-eaters to lead a moral life. He explains to them the results of eating flesh and the pains in hell etc. When imparting knowledge to the brahmin ascetics in Cittirakūtam, Civakan explains to them that even right conduct will not save the soul, if it is not accompanied by the right faith. The ascetics in Cittirakatam live with their wives as brahmanical faith allows them to lead that kind of life. Civakan tells them that one cannot attain salvation when one has wordly attachments, such as having wives. He further says that their efforts to attain liberation are like swimming in the sea with the stone tied around the neck. 8 In addition he explains that even the physical tortures in performing tapas are ineffective and futile without the right faith and right knowledge. He says to them, "if you think that sleeping on hanging swings and eating fruits will destroy the bad karmas, then the bats which hang on the trees and feed on fruits also should be able to eradicate their bad karmas. 9 If you think that feeding on Alli seeds and grass grains and standing in the midst of five kinds of fire (pancagni) will help to
1 Ibid, vv. 453, 454
4 Ibid, v. 821
7 Ibid, vv. 1233-1236
Jain Education International
2 Ibid, vv. 983, 984
5
Ibid, vv. 1418-1420
8 Cc. v. 1426
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3 Cc. v. 820
6 Ibid, vv, 1242-1247
9 Ibid, v. 1429
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