Traverses on Less Trodden Path of Indian Philosophy and Religion

Author(s): Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 198

Code of conduct for monks...
189
duties becoming completely detached from worldly attachment attain mokşa or siddha pada within the eight births. 74
The rules prescribed for householders are divided into twelve vratas (vows), viz. pañca aṇuvratas (five-small vows), three guṇavratas (vir. tuous vows) and four sikṣāvratas (disciplinarya vows). The householder has certain family and social responsibility. So he cannot observe the great vows (Mahāvratas) in absolute manner like the ascetic. In this case, the great vows are prescribed with limitations and qualifications. The householder is expected to observe five small. Vows (anuvratas), partial observance of the five moral principles of non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy and limited non-acquisition. He should not voluntarily injure any beings or tell lie or steal other's property. He should restrict his sexual desire to his married wife and may not gratify his lust with other women, not coveting for other's property and putting a limit to his own possessions. In addition to these main vows, there are certain supplementary vows known as guṇavaratas, which discipline the external movements and increase virtues and the sikṣavratas, which emphasise on internal purity, preparatory 10 the discipline of an ascetic's life. These supplementary vows are collectively known as silavratas ( vows of conduct). Gunavrotas are three in number, viz. digvrata, desavakašikavrata and anarthadandaviramana. Digvrata consists in fixing the limits of one's Own movements in the ten directions. The householder has to put restriction on his movements and worldly activities to fixed points in order to avoid violence to the maximum extent. Desävakasikavrata is limiting one's Own movements to the region determined by certain villages and renouncing the rest of the places. It is meant to minimise one's own greed and to limit worldly activities for a fixed period only. Anarthadandaviramana consists in taking vow not to commit purposeless sin, such as thinking ill of others, preaching evil of others, uselessly breaking the boughs of trees, supplying weapons to attack, reading and listening to improper literature and so on. Sikṣā vratas are four, viz. sämayika, pauşadha, upabhoga parimanya and atithisamvibhāga (or dāna). Sāmāyika consists in spending a certain amount of time in a day in sitting at particular place, reading scriptures, praying and meditating on the self. Pausadha vow is prescribed to have control over food. The householder has to perform fast on certain days to purify his soul. While on fasting, he has to study scriptures, meditate on its meaning, worship Jinas and sadhus. He has to observe strict celibacy on these days. Upabhogaparimanyavrata means putting limitations to the use of object of worldly enjoyment, such as food, drink, ornaments,
74. Ibid. 308.