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546
The Unknown Pilgrims
c) The aşțasūkşmas: The eight categories of minute beings
Sūkşma means: the infinitely small. According to the doctrine, there are eight categories of beings that are so minute as to be impeceptible; these are: minute living beings with two sense organs; fungus of three types, namely, lichen, mildew, moss; grains; sprouts and seeds; flowers; eggs of insects or reptiles; habitats of insects, such as antheaps or wasps' nests; particles of humidity such as morningdew, hoar-frost, mist, hailstones. 59
The sādhvis must know the existence of these eight categories of minute living beings and be very attentive, in the course of their journeying, not to damage any of them. It is true that the iryāpathikasūtra, that they recite after they have been out of doors and during the two daily pratikramanas, purifies them from faults committed against these infinitesimally small beings. The pratilekhană in this season when the atmosphere is humid demands greater attention than during the rest of the year. 60
59 Ibid. VIII, 50-58; the 8 categories of sükşma are: pāņa, panaga, bia, hariya, puppha, amda, leņa, sineha; within the categories: lichens, grains, seeds, minute-sized flowers, there are, in each category, 5 different species colour-wise: black, blue, red, yellow, white. We read in the biography of Mahasati Mohanadevi that during a vihāra she paused with her group underneath a tree on account of the mist. A young man happened to pass that way. He was the son of a Jaina father and Musulman mother. Conversation began between him and the Mahāsati, who started by explaining to him the living properties of mist and went on to enocurage the young man, who felt himself drawn to the Jaina dharma, though the samgha of Syālakota was not willing to receive him. The large-hearted Mahāsati restored his confidene and told him of a muni who would receive him with open arms. When she arrived at the town, she sent for two śrāvakas, requesting them as true disciples of Mahavira to welcome this young man; cf. Hukamadevi pp. 135-141.
60 Cf. DasaS VIII, 67-68.
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