LECTURE 16

MAHAVRATA
Human Values
in
DR. N.L. KACHHARA

JAIN DARSHAN E M E R I T U S P R O F E S S O R , J A I N V I S H VA B H A R AT I I N S T I T U T E , L A D N U N

F O R M E R LY

P RO F E S S O R A N D H E A D O F M E C H A N I C A L E N G I N E E R I N G , H B T I K A N P U R

D I R E C T O R , K N I T, S U LTA N P U R

P R I N C I PA L , M N R E N G I N E E R I N G C O L L E G E , A L L A H A B A D
• Mahavrata
• Mahavratas are vratas observed by ascetics in full way without permitting transgressions.
• 1. Ahimsa mahavrata – the ascetic does not harm even one sense beings, besides the trasa,
mobile, beings. They do not even eat green vegetables.
• 2. Satya mahavrata – for being truthful in the greatest measure the ascetic should be free
from anger, greed, fear, and delusion.
• 3. Asteya mahavrata – the ascetic observes self-imposed limitations on begging of food,
purity of food and drink, and quantity of food and drink besides not taking anything that is
not given.
• 4. Brahmacharya mahavrata – the ascetic of course does not marry but he/she must also
not think of any kind of relationship with anyone. He/she is a lonely person.
• 5. Aparigraha mahavrata – this vow is observed to the fullest extent. A Digambara muni
keeps only a picchi and kamandalu. They use specs and keep scripture books as per need.
The female ascetics wear a long one piece saree. Svetambara munis wear white clothes
and keep an ogha or stick.
• Besides the mahavratas the ascetics also observe other vows. These are Gupti, Samiti,
Dharma, Anupreksa, Parishahjay and Charitra.
• For equanimity of mind the ascetic has
• (i) friendship with all creatures (maitri),
• (ii) appreciation for the superior (pramoda),
• (iii) sympathy for the afflicted (karunya), and
• (iv) indifference for the unruly (madhyasthya).
• Sallekhana and santhara
• Death is inevitable but people fear death because of love for life and the uncertainty
of afterlife.
• Those who believe in afterlife are less fearful than those who do not believe in
rebirth.
• Preparatory penance for weakening the body and reducing passions so as to have no
fear of death when it comes is called sallekhana.
• Santhara is embracing the death voluntarily in a state of peace and equanimity of
mind.
• Sallekhana is normally practiced by ascetics. There is a tradition of observing
sallekhana practice so that the body is gradually made weak physically, but not
vitally, by progressively reducing food and drink intake over a period of 12 years.
• In santhara also the person stops taking food and drink and practices peace and
equanimity of mind in the remaining period of life, which may be a few hours,
days, or months.
• Sallekhana and santhara is not suicide. In suicide the death is in a highly
passionate and emotionally disturbed state and is brought about by highly violent
and objectionable means. In the case of santhara death takes place in a state of
complete mental equanimity, peace and calmness,.
• Euthanasia
• Euthanasia is practice of intentionally ending life in order to relieve pain
and suffering. In voluntary or active euthanasia, known as mercy killing,
death occurs by use of legal substance, e.g. lethal injection. It is
intended to ease the suffering on personal request or as decided by
the Doctor and the family members. In passive euthanasia the life
support system and the treatment is withhold.
• Euthanasia amounts to suicide and is not approved by Jainism.