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Tirthankara Vardhamana Mahavira
93
“Truth is God” and Tam saceañ khu Bhagav aṁ" (Prašna 2,2), Gandhiji said "Truth is God”.
And we should speak the truth which is pleasant. Do not hurt others with unpleasant truth.
“Bhasiyam hiyam saccan”
Uttaradhyayana 19, 28.
Brahmacarya is the practice of celibacy. It has been interpreted in the mahávrata and aņuvșata senses. For the pravraja (muni), the practice is to be pure and complete. But for the citizen and the lay followers it consists in the contentment one should have with his own wife All others are his sisters or mothers : and,
“Anēga guņa ahinā bhavanti ekkammi bambhacēre”
Praśņa Vyakarara : 2, 4
The practice of brahmacarya leads to the development of personality and greater self-confidence.
The practice of the Brahmacarya for the lay follower (citizen) has been beautifully described in the Ratnakarandaka Srävakacara of Ācārya Samantabhadra (Cariträdhikara : 60):
“Na ca paradārangacchati na parān gamayati ca pāpabhitaryāt !” Sa paradárānvrttih svadārasantošanā mapi II”
One should be content with one's wife. One should not indulge in creating situations for indulgence in the other women. More about it in the next part.
Attachment is the expression of parigraha. To desire the possession of objects is parigraha :
“Muccha pariggaho vutto I"
Dasavaikalika: 6, 20
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