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Kokila H. Shah, Jain Devotionalism: The Namaskara Mantra
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practice Tyaga. A Sadhu is the sage who practices good conduct which is pure and which leads to the path of liberation. He takes vow to observe great vows strictly throughout his life. Monks strictly practice the Acaras viz. Jnana, Darsana, Caritra, Tapa and Virya. In order to carry out these vows, they keep themselves fit. They renounce the world and obtain food through bhiksa. They are supposed to accept vegetarian pure food which is not prepared for them and which is not sold. They obtain food from devotees/ householders in such a way that they do not come in contact with water, fire. They accept food strictly following the prescribed rules. They do not have the responsibility of taking care of the household. They have totally renounced wealth, women and worldly pleasures. They are prohibited from even touching the opposite sex so that they can observe total non-attachment and celibacy. Monks are not supposed to use any vehicle for traveling. They travel only on foot and wherever they stay, they spend time in acquiring knowledge and in doing meditation. They preach to the people, the high ideals such as non-violence, truth, noble conduct, charity, austerity, purity, benevolence, necessity of noble contemplation, and penance etc.
Qualities of Monks: Sadhus possess 27 qualities as follows:
6 realated to observance of 5 Mahavratas (Ahimsa, Satya, Acaurya, Aparigraha and Brahmacarya) and 1 vow to renounce and discard all sinful activities.
6 related to protecting 6 types of Kayas of all living beings (Prithvi, Vayu, Agni, Jala, Vanaspati and Trasa).
5 Samitis (carefulness) 3 Guptis (restraints)
Special qualities: 1. Forgiveness, 2. Discarding hatred, 3. Emotional Purity, 4. Acting according to the principles of Sadhu-padilehana, 5. Absorption in austerity, 6. Bearing with impediments, 7. Bearing with Calamities.
Duties of Sadhus: 1. Forbearance, 2. Humility, 3. Purity, 4. Truthfulness, 5. Self- control, 6.
Renouncing Egoism, 7. Asceticism, 8. Bearing with calamities. Salutations are offered not only to Dravya sadhus but also to bhava Sadhus.
Though reverence to Panca Parameshthis is prescribed, it is really reverence to the soul of Parameshthis, which is to be meditated upon. Through this, the soul turns upon itself and meditates on its own nature, which is excellent meditation.
The total qualities of the Panca Parameshthis are 108. The Navkara Mantra is chanted 108 times. It has 9 Padas and 68 letters.
