Month: February 2023

Five Kinds of Saints There are five kinds of saints mentioned in Sarvārthasiddhi . They are : (1)Pulāka saints. (2)Vakuṡa saints. (3)Kuṡīla saints. (4)Nirgrantha saints. Snataka saints 1.Pulāka saints : The Pulāka saints are those (i) who are slothful towards practicing the secondary vows and, (ii) who sometimes and somewhere are unable to completely observe...

Holy Death (Sallekhanā) The death is defined as the destruction or termination of the mode of human or other state of birth. This death has five varieties : (1)Extreme Prudent’s Death (Pandita-pandita Maraṇa) (2)Pmdent ’ s Death (Pandita-Maraṇa) (3)Fool-Prudent’s Death (Bāla-pandita Maraṇa) (4)Fool’s Death (Bāla Maraṇa) (5)Extreme Fool’s Death (Bāla bāla Maraṇa)   (1)Extreme Prudent’s...

Supernatural Powers or Prodigies (Rddhis) The austerite saints earn capacities of many types of supernatural powers. There are eight kinds of supernatural powers: (1)Supernatural Power of Intelligence (Buddhi ṛddhi) 18 (2)Supernatural Power of Proteation (Vikriyā ṛddhi) 11 (3)Supernatural Power of Motion (Kriyā ṛddhi) 02 (4)Supernatural Power of Austerity (Tapa ṛddhi) 07 (5)Supernatural Power of Strength...

Daily Routine of the Jaina Saint (Dina-caryā) The restrained saint should observe the prescribed daily observances67 like the self-study etc. for the accomplishment of equanimity which is the main cause of self-realisation. The saint should wake-up after two Ghatis (~ 48 minutes) have passed after midnight. He should commence later-night self-study by declaration : then...

Description of Conduct of Saints (Sāmācāra): Meaning of the Term Sāmācāra This term Sāmācāra has four meanings : (1)It is the propensity devoid of attachment and aversion leading to volitional equality or veneration of five Supreme souls or practice of equanimity. (2)It is the transgressionless observance of basic virtues as are detailed under right conduct....

Topic on the Purity of Foods (Pinda-suddhi) The purity of food (Pinda) is termed as ‘Pinda-ṡuddhi’. There are eight kinds of defect for scrutinising the purity of foods : (1) Origination defects (Udgama doṣa) (2)Receiving-of-food or food -acceptance defects(utpadana dosa)  (3)Food-acceptablity defects (Eṣaṇa (4)Combinatory or mixing defect (Sanyojana) (5)Over quantity defect (Pramaṇa) (6)Lust-fire defect (Angara,...

The Religion of the (Jaina) Saints (a)Twenty eight basic Attributes : The basic and secondary attributes are the volitions of the living beings.57 There are twenty eight basic attributes involving five complete vows etc. There are thirty four secondary attributes - (1-12) twleve austerities and (13-34) twenty-two afflictions (Parīṣahas). The secondary attributes will be described...

Twelve Introspective Reflections(Anupreksās, Bhāvanās) There are twelve reflections for contemplation to awaken the detachmental attitude among the votaries practicing the five partial vows while in householdership. Alternatively, the Tīrthankaras have also reflected upon them even after initiation and detachment. They are, thus, like the mother to nucleate and grow detachmental propensities. 1.Anitya (Reflection on Transitoriness):...

Householder’s Life-style / Ritualistic Activities / Duties The text of Ṡrāvakācāra Sangraha (Compendium of Householder’s Conduct) has mentioned three types of rites or duties of the householders starting from conception and terminating into death. The right-faithed persons must undertake them as they result in good effects. The scholars have admitted the following three types of...

Defilements due to Delivery and Death (Sūtaka-Pataka) The term ‘Sūtaka’ is defined as the defilements and the resulting prohibitions of duties like deital worship and food-offerings (to saints) etc. due to the delivery or birth of a child in the household. The defilement and the resulting prohibition due to the death in the household is...