Pani Sachit Aur Achit - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Pani Sachit aur Achit" by Nandighoshvijay, focusing on the concept of water in Jainism:

Title: Pani Sachit aur Achit (Water: Living and Non-Living) Author: Nandighoshvijay Publisher: Z_Jain_Dharm_Vigyan_ki_Kasoti_par_002549.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/229238/1

This Jain text, "Pani Sachit aur Achit" by Nandighoshvijay, delves into the Jain perspective on water, classifying it as either sachit (living/animate) or achit (non-living/inanimate), and discusses the proper methods for making water achit (or prasuk) for consumption, particularly for ascetics and lay followers.

Core Tenets Discussed:

Water is Inherently Living (Sachit): The fundamental Jain belief presented is that water itself is alive, and even its individual molecules are considered to possess life. Furthermore, water serves as a medium for the generation of numerous microscopic organisms and germs, which can cause various diseases. Therefore, for health reasons, it is advised to boil water before drinking.
Methods of Making Water Achit (Purification):
- Traditional Methods: Historically, some traditions allowed for making water achit by adding substances like bhasma (ash), lime (chuna), or sugar (shakkar). However, the text notes a lack of precise scriptural guidance on the exact quantities of these substances and the time required for water to become achit after their addition.
- Acceptability for Ascetics vs. Laypeople: While these traditional methods might render water achit from a scriptural standpoint, they are primarily considered permissible only for monks and nuns (sadhu-sadhvi). Even then, the text implies that the purpose of making water achit is undermined if it's done in a way that makes it unsuitable for ascetics. For lay followers (shravak), the prescribed practice for undergoing austerities is to consume water that has been boiled three times, making it definitively achit.
- Modern Practice: The prevailing practice within the Shvetambara Murtipujak tradition today is that monks, nuns, and lay followers consume water boiled three times, also referred to as "pakka pani" (cooked water) or achit pani.
Addressing Skepticism about Purification:
- Different Waters, Different Purifiers? Some individuals question whether a single substance like bhasma or lime can purify all types of water (rainwater, well water, chlorinated municipal water, mineral water, etc.). The text clarifies that this is a misconception.
- Scriptural Basis for Purification: Jain scriptures describe two processes for making sachit earth and water achit. When one type of sachit earth comes into contact with another, both become achit. Similarly, when water is added to earth, they become mutual preservatives (parakayshastra), making each other achit. Bhasma is considered plant-based or earth-based life (vanaspatikay or prithvikay), while lime is earth-based. Therefore, any type of water can be made achit by bhasma or lime.
The Scientific Rationale for Boiling Water:
- Jain Biology and Health: The text reiterates the Jain biological understanding that raw water is alive and contains various microorganisms that can cause diseases. Boiling stops the continuous propagation of these life forms.
- The "Life-Giving" Aspect of Water: A deeper question is raised: If Jainism discourages interfering with the reproduction of any living being, is boiling water (which stops its life processes) a form of violence? The answer provided is based on modern scientific research.
- Electrical Charges in Water: According to science, all fluids contain positively charged (dhanvidyut) and negatively charged (rinvidyut) molecules. Well, pond, river, and rainwater often have a higher proportion of negatively charged molecules. While drinking such water can make one feel refreshed, it can lead to physical and mental disorders.
- Neutralizing Charges: Boiling water neutralizes these negatively charged molecules. Consequently, boiled water is less likely to cause physical or mental disturbances. This makes boiled, achit water essential for ascetics and those practicing austerities.
- Analogy with Air Conditioning and Ionization: The text draws a parallel with air conditioning, where cool environments can lead to lethargy. Research has shown that in such places, there's a high concentration of positively charged molecules in the air. Reducing these or increasing negatively charged molecules makes the environment invigorating. This led to the development of ionization machines that emit negatively charged ions. Similarly, during rainy days, the atmosphere has more positively charged molecules, leading to a desire for rest rather than activity. Thus, hot (boiled) water is beneficial not only for compassion and health but also for mental well-being and happiness.
Further Clarifications and Distinctions:
- Water Already Containing Impurities: Some argue that since water naturally contains earth or ash, it's already achit, and further purification is unnecessary. The text counters this by stating that while water might be achit or sachit, without specific knowledge, certainty about its achit state is not guaranteed. Therefore, re-purification is deemed necessary.
- Rainwater vs. Condensation: The comparison between rainwater and water condensed on kitchen utensils is addressed. While superficially similar, there's a difference.
- Scriptural View on Rainwater: Texts like "Jeevavichar" by Shri Shantisuriji from the 12th century and "Jeevaabhigam" classify rainwater as sachit, sometimes even containing fish. Therefore, rainwater should not be considered achit.
- Time Limits for Water Purity: The Shvetambara Murtipujak tradition, as per "Pravachansaroddhar," sets time limits for boiled water to remain achit. In hot seasons, it's five prahar (15 hours); in cold seasons, four prahar (12 hours); and in the rainy season, three prahar (9 hours). After these periods, the water becomes sachit.
- Condensation is Achit: Water that condenses on the lid of a hot utensil is considered achit because it has not exceeded these time limits. In contrast, rainwater, after its transformation into water, has exceeded these limits, hence its classification as sachit.

Conclusion:

In summary, the text strongly advocates for all monks, nuns, lay followers, and anyone desiring a healthy life to consume water that has been boiled three times, making it achit. This practice aligns with both Jain principles of compassion and health, as well as modern scientific understanding of water's electrical properties and their impact on well-being. The text also clarifies the scriptural basis and practical considerations for purifying water, emphasizing the importance of adherence to established traditions and guidelines.