Jaina Mysticism and Other Essays

SR No.: 006933
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 166
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 37

Arhanta and Siddha Pratimās and to those who excell in spiritual attainments. (iii) Stuti : He contemplates on the divine characteristics of the twenty-four Tīrthankaras. (iv) Pratikramaņa : He purifies the faults in spiritual living by resorting to selfcriticism, and confession in the presence of his guru. (v) Pratyākhyāna : It implies the determination of the muni to renounce in future all that is inconsistent with his spiritual pursuit. Pratikramana has retrospective reference, while pratyākhyāna has prospective one. (vi) Kāyotsarga : In it the muni practises a formal non-attachment to the body for a prescribed period of time.
(d) Tapa : He eradicates desires. from the texture of self.70 It is the real enemy of self. Consequently, its extirpation is of paramount importance. The tapas are of two kinds, viz. (i) external and (ii) internal.
(i) External austerities (tapas) are of six kinds. 71 — i. Anaśana : It means fasting for a limited period of time, such as for one day, two days, etc. ii. Avamaudārya : It means to take. less than the normal quantity of food each day. iii. Vsttiparisarkhyana : It means the predetermination of the muni regarding the number of houses to be visited, the particular manner of taking food, the specific type of food, the giver or specific qualification, when he sets out to get food. If the things conform to his norm, he would accept food, otherwise he would go without it for that day. iv. Rasaparityāga : It implies the abstinence from one or more articles of food, namely, milk, curd, ghee, oil, sugar and salt; and from one or more kinds of tastes, namely, pacrid, bitter, astringent, sour and sweet. v. Viviktaśayyāsana : It means that a muni abandons the dwellings of depraved householders. He does not make use of them for sitting, sleeping and standing. vi. Kayakleșa : In it the body is put to certain discomforts through uneasy and stern postures.
These external austerities do not aim at the flagellation of the body, but contribute towards the inner advancement of a muni. 72
Jaina Mysticism and other "ssays