Book Title: Tirthankar Bhagawan Mahavir 48 Chitro ka Samput
Author(s): Yashodevsuri
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Kalakendra

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Page 282
________________ called Tarapa ni contains a thick thread for holding it. The utensil shown in figure number three is called 'chetano' and it is generally kept on Tarapani and then tightening the thread the utensils are lifted. 52. The The cleaning apparatus which is called Rajoharana (Non-Violence Symbol) which is a bunch of woollen threads is woollen an inevitable item which helps male as well as female ascetics of Jains to observe non-violence. At the time of thread initiation it is presented by the preceptor to the ascetic with great enthusiasm. This cleaning apparatus is made from and the woollen threads. An ascetic can't do without it. It is constantly kept by him daily. When Jain ascetics, male or female mouthstrip wish to sit, they have to clean the ground or floor with it so that minute insects may not be killed and then only they (the ascetic spread their small mats. While moving they keep the handle of it in the left armpit and while sitting they keep it instruments - beside them. The ascetics of the Digambar sect keep a bunch of peacock-feathers. The ascetics of the Sthanakvasi upakaran) : sect and Tera-Panthi sect keep a bunch of woollen threads at the end of a long handle. The mouth-strip-Muhapatti is a small piece of cotton cloth folded in a peculiar way. Jains hold it on the mouth to avoid any pain to the subtle insects in the air due to the forceful utterance of words while reciting the aphorisms. This item is particularly used to avoid subtle violence which might be caused to the minute insects Flying in the air 53. Sundry The Jain ascetics-both male and female keep four other items called Charavali, Supadi, Dandasana and Kambalfor items of the their daily use Charavali is made of tender wool and is used to remove all minute insects from the utensils to keep ascetic: water and other wooden utensils and thus subtlest being in the air are protected. If any such insect is found, it is carefully removed to a safe place.(2) Supadi is for collecting the dust in a residential place or rubbish and crumbs of food when the ascetics have taken food collected by them. (3) Dandasana as there are no lights in Upashravathe abode of ascetics, the ascetics during their movements have to keep the floor well-swept to avoid the destruction of any being there. For this purpose they use a bunch of woollen threads with a long handle for sweeping the Noor, in a standing position easily. Some use Dandasa na of Peacock-feathers also.(4)Kambal-this Pali word means a thin blanket placed by the icon-worshipper ascetics on the left shoulder, while going out. It is also used while moving under the open sky in the morning and evening, during Yogic practices of austerity and to cover the body to save it from the injuries to insects moving round an electric lamp or any source of light. 54. Katasanu, According to the Jain terminology of religion and scriptures the male householder is called Shravaka and the female muhapatti, householder is called Shravika.While practising Samayika a religious rite, Pratikramana, Paushadha and other charavalo vows two or all the three items are invariably required. (The religious 1. Katasanu (Katasana) means a small mat for sitting. For the sake of non-violence it is made from wool or tender kit of the woollen cloth. All the religious practices of the religion for renunciation are to be done while sitting on it. Doing Jain such practices while sitting on the uncovered ground or floor using cotton mat is strictly prohibited. The main householders intention is mercy towards all creatures. both males 2. Mouth-Strip- For explanation please see the note for symbol No.52. and females): 3. Charavalo-- This is a very tender item made with a bunch of woollen threads for non-violence against minute beings. A person practising Samayika rite cannot raise his thigh or buttocks for 48 minutes. Here he or she may have to get up for Pratikramana rite or may have to rise for physical cleanliness during the rites of Paushadh, Pratikramana etc. may have to get up for any other reason. So he or she must inevitably have this item(This Charavala.it should be remembered is not to be used for driving away mosquitoes, for sitting with the support of the wall or for any ordinary purpose like resting).It is used to remove only those insects which sit on the body or on the floor. The non-violent aspirant has to be careful and has to avoid violence to creatures in every possible way. This is why a woollen cleaner is selected mouthstrip can be cotton but it should be simple. The size of all these items is mentioned in the scripture and should be known from the preceptors. 55. Jain The figure illustrates how the ascetics have physical cleanliness. They keep the dress on and take a wooden utensil ascetic : filled with water. 56. Kausagga This standing posture is adopted in the practice of a particular type of meditation. Meditation in this posture is (Kayotsarga practised by all ascetics and householders whether males or females. In this practice mostly the person mentally Mudra): recites Nava-Kara Mantra with obeisance to the five supreme beings or recites. Logassa-Sutra'hymn to twenty four Tirthankaras with contemplation on their meaning. In this practice allattachment for the body is to be given up and one has to remain steady while practising this introversion. The vision has to be fixed on the tip of the nose, the arms, the legs and the whole body have to be arranged as shown in the illustration. Among the things kept in the hand, the mouth-strip has to be kept only in the right hand.But the ascetics-males and females have to hold the cleaning apparatus (Ogho) in the left hand, from the middle. The Jain householders males and females have to hold their cleaning apparatus (Charavalo) in the same way. Both the hands are to be kept touching the thighs. This posture is to be adopted for meditation of any type. The scriptures have enumerated it as the practice of the best fourteen step ladder for the liberation of the soul. The illustration shows the posture of Kausagga or Kayotsarga. In the illustration there is an ascetic on the left side and male householder on the right side. 57. A rosary: It is a holy rosary for the japa........ of God, any prayer or religious letter or words. Two types of rosaries have been prescribed (1) of 108 beads and (2) 27 beads (one-fourth of 108 beads). (I have not discussed here how this standard of 108 or 27 beads has been prescribed). Some men count 27 beads in case of Note: 8. The items shown here are related to the ascetics of the Shvetambar Murti Pujak sect of Jains. 208 Education International For Personal & Private Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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