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Chapter 4
The final commitment: The mahāvratas, the five Great Vows
vrata the vow is one of] virati abstention from: himsă [all] harmful activity [aggressiveness, violence), ansta [all] lack of truthfulness, steya [all] appropriation to oneself of things that are not given, abrahma (all) sexual activity, parigraha (all forms of] possessive attachment.1
The term vrata implies a choice, a determined act of the will. It is a promise made for a spiritual purpose. 2
1 hiṁsā-ançta-steya-abrahma-parigrahebhyo-viratiḥ vratam. TS VII, 1.
2The word is very commonly used in all the religious traditions. It comes from the root vs which can mean: to cover, protect, surround, enclose, or sometimes: choose. Kane, 1958, vol. V, Part I, p. 5, gives the following explanation concerning the meaning of vrata in the Rg Veda, a meaning which has been adopted by most of the other traditions: "I derive the word from the root 'vr' (to choose). From this root comes the word 'vara'(bridegroom who is chosen from among several men by a maiden or her guardian), which occurs in Rg. IX, 101.14 and X.85.8 and 9. Choosing involves willing or volition on the part of the person choosing. Hence 'vr' also means 'to will'. Therefore, when the word vrata is derived from 'vş' with the suffix 'ta', the meaning of vrata can be 'what is willed' or simply 'will'. The will of a person in power or authority is a command or law unto others. Devotees believe that gods have laid down certain commands to be followed by themselves as well as by all beings. Thus comes the sense of 'law or ordinance'. A command of a superior imposes and implies corresponding duty to obey. When commands are obeyed or duties are performed in the same way for long, they become the patterns of obligations i.e. customs or practices. When persons believe or feel that they must perform certain acts as ordained by gods, then arises the sense of religious worship or duty. If a man imposes upon himself certain restrictions as to his
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