Shravak Na Bar Vrat Tatha Anya Niyamo

This document, titled "Shravak na Bar Vrat tatha Anya Niyamo" (The Twelve Vows of a Layperson and Other Rules) by Muni Deepratnasagar, is a comprehensive guide for Jains who wish to follow a disciplined and ethical lifestyle according to Jain principles. It outlines various vows and regulations designed to minimize harm to living beings and cultivate spiritual progress.

Here's a breakdown of the key sections:

Page 1:

• Title and Author: "Shravak na Bar Vrat tatha Anya Niyamo" by Muni Deepratnasagar.
• Purpose: This is a personal record for individuals taking vows, with spaces to record their name and the date.
• Salutations: Includes auspicious salutations and a dedication to Guru Shri Anand-Kshama-Lalit-Sushil-Sudharmasagar.

Page 2:

• Foundation of Vows: Emphasizes Samayaktva (Right Faith) as the foundation of the vow-based life. This involves accepting the Arihants as the true Gods, the five-Mahavrata-observing monks as true Gurus, and the teachings of the Arihants as true Dharma. It explicitly states not to consider any other deities, gurus, or religions as saviors.
• Twelve Vows (Bar Vrat):
  1. Sthool Pranatipata Viraman Vrat (Vow of Abstaining from Gross Violence): Not to intentionally kill any mobile (moving) living beings. It also includes a "Jayanā" (carefulness) related to cleaning shops.
  2. Sthool Mrushavada Viraman Vrat (Vow of Abstaining from Gross Falsehood): Not to lie about one's children (age, education, abilities), animals, land/property, or to falsely identify someone's belongings. It also includes not giving false witness.

Page 3:

• Twelve Vows (Continued): 3. Sthool Adattadan Viraman Vrat (Vow of Abstaining from Gross Stealing): Not to steal, pick pockets, commit robbery, or take anything belonging to others without permission. It also includes not taking fallen items from the road. 4. Sthool Maithuna Viraman Vrat (Vow of Abstaining from Gross Sexual Misconduct): Renouncing sexual relations with another's spouse and observing celibacy for a specified number of days in a year (e.g., during Paryushana, Navpadji Oli, Chaturmas, Ashtami, Chaturdashi, Purnima, Amavasya). 5. Parigraha Pariman Vrat (Vow of Limiting Possessions): Not to possess more than a specified amount of wealth, property, vehicles, livestock, precious metals, clothing, utensils, furniture, investments, cash, jewelry, etc. Spaces are provided to record the limits for various categories. 6. Deshavagashik Vrat (Vow of Limited Travel): Restrictions on traveling outside the country for leisure, the duration of air and sea travel, and travel beyond one's city/town limits during Chaturmas.

Page 4:

• Twelve Vows (Continued): 7. Bhogopbhog Viraman Vrat (Vow of Limiting Consumption and Use): This vow is detailed further on the next page with "Chaud Niyam" (Fourteen Rules).
• Chaud Niyam (Fourteen Rules): These are daily rules related to consumption and usage. Examples include:
  • Limiting the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and other raw items (Sachitta).
  • Limiting the use of certain refined products (Vigai - milk, yogurt, ghee, jaggery, fried items).
  • Limiting the use of perfumes, betel leaves, and aromatic substances.
  • Limiting the number of footwear, clothing, and utensils.
  • Restrictions on travel and activities.
  • Emphasis on being careful about the origin and use of items.
  • Specific limits are to be set by the individual in consultation with their spiritual guide.

Page 5:

• Chaud Niyam (Continued):
  • Detailed specifications for limiting the use of various items like footwear, mouth fresheners, clothing, perfumes, vehicles, bedding, cosmetics, etc.
  • Includes the vow of Brahmacharya (celibacy) and Dishapariman (limited travel) as part of the fourteen rules.
  • Hana (knowledge) and Bharusa (food/water) are also included, implying limits on the acquisition of knowledge and the quantity of food/water consumed.
  • A table format is suggested for tracking the "Jayanā" (carefulness) for each of the fourteen rules.

Page 6:

• Chaud Niyam (Continued):
  • Further details on limits for items like needles, scissors, writing instruments, and agricultural tools.
  • The importance of seeking clarification from a spiritual guide for specific rules like "Chalit Ras" (food items whose taste/smell/color changes).

Page 7:

• Other Regulations (Anya Dharana): These are additional rules that go beyond the fourteen rules of Bhogopbhog Viraman Vrat. They include:
  • Pruthvikaya: Limiting the use of earth-bodied substances (soil, salt, ash).
  • Askaya: Limiting the use of water.
  • Teukaya: Limiting the use of fire and electrical appliances.
  • Vau Kaya: Limiting the use of fans, air coolers, and air conditioners.
  • Vanaspati Kaya: Limiting the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and leaves.
  • Asi (Sharp Objects): Limiting the use of sharp objects.
  • Masi (Writing Instruments): Limiting the use of writing materials.
  • Krushi (Agriculture): Limiting agricultural tools.

Page 8:

• Abstinence from 22 Types of Unwholesome Foods (Baavis Abhakshya): This section lists 22 categories of food that are forbidden, including alcoholic drinks, meat, honey, certain fruits, curd made from unauthorized milk, certain vegetables, and stale food.
• Abstinence from 32 Types of Infinite-Bodied Substances (Battis Anantakaya): This section lists 32 types of vegetables and roots that are considered to have infinite life forms and are therefore forbidden. This includes potatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, certain leafy vegetables, etc.

Page 9:

• Battis Anantakaya (Continued): Continues the list of forbidden infinite-bodied substances. It notes that this is not an exhaustive list.

Page 10:

• Abstinence from 15 Types of Karmic Actions (Pandrah Karmadan Tyag): This section lists 15 professions or activities that are considered harmful and should be avoided. These include activities related to fire, forests, vehicles, explosives, animal products, chemicals, poisons, hair, machinery, branding, irrigation, and certain animal husbandry practices.

Page 11:

• Pandrah Karmadan Tyag (Continued): Continues the list of forbidden professions.
• Anarthdand Viraman Vrat (Vow of Abstaining from Useless Harm): This vow prohibits engaging in activities that cause harm without any benefit, such as:
  • Inciting animals to fight.
  • Watching executions or violent events.
  • Playing with Holi colors.
  • Gambling, betting, and hunting.
  • Visiting brothels.
  • Swimming in water bodies.
  • Lending weapons to others.
  • Attending entertainment events like dramas, movies, circuses, and dance performances.
  • Watching or possessing televisions and videos.
  • Arranging marriages (in certain contexts).
  • Keeping pets.
  • Disrespecting the Jain temple.
  • Making loud noises, spitting, fighting, eating, drinking, sleeping, and attending to bodily needs loudly in public spaces.
  • Grinding grains on specific days.

Page 12:

• Other Vows (Anya Vrat):
  • Samayik Vrat: Taking vows to perform Samayik (meditation/equanimity) a certain number of times per year.
  • Deshavagashik Vrat: Taking vows to perform Deshavagashik (limited travel vows) a certain number of times per year.
  • Paushadh Vrat: Taking vows to observe Paushadh (a day of fasting and spiritual observance) a certain number of times per year.
  • Atithi Sanvibhag Vrat: Taking vows to share food with deserving guests (monks, nuns, or the needy) a certain number of times per year.
• Special Notes: Includes sections for "Jayanā" (carefulness) related to vows 9-12.

Page 13:

• Other Regulations (Anya Niyamo):
  • Daily Observances: Not eating or drinking before visiting the Jain temple, performing Jain worship, and offering Abhisheka.
  • Pilgrimages and Spiritual Learning: Performing pilgrimages, Guru Vandana (paying respects to spiritual teachers), and listening to religious discourses.
  • Observances: Performing Pratikraman (repentance rituals), Chovihar (abstaining from food and water after sunset), and Tivihar (abstaining from food and water from noon onwards).
  • Fasting: Observing Navkarsi (fasting until breakfast time) and other partial fasts.
  • Charity: Feeding Sadharmik (fellow Jains) and donating to good causes.
  • Abstinence: Avoiding tobacco in all forms.

Page 14:

• Other Regulations (Continued):
  • Dietary Restrictions: Not washing plates after eating, avoiding certain fruits and vegetables during specific seasons.
  • Spiritual Milestones: Lists certain spiritual milestones that may be required before taking on certain vows (e.g., Diya, Upadhan, reciting Nava-lakh Navkar).
  • Business Practices: Limiting the number of businesses.
  • Cosmetics: Abstaining from beauty products for certain periods.
  • Mentally Challenged Individuals: Not touching or reading books/newspapers when in a state of mental distress or impurity.
  • Temple Rituals: Not performing rituals in a way that obstructs night meals for monks.
  • Reciting Navkars: Reciting seven Navkars upon waking and sleeping.
  • Donations: Ensuring that promised donations are given within a specific time.
  • Devotion: Not asking for worldly pleasures from the enlightened souls.
  • Other Practices: Performing specific recitations or rituals annually.
  • Green Vegetables: Abstaining from green vegetables for a certain period.

Page 15:

• Declaration: The individual signing this document declares that they have read, understood, and voluntarily accepted these rules for their spiritual welfare.
• Blessings: A wish for the recipient to attain eternal happiness by embracing limited and all-encompassing vows.
• Apology: A statement of apology if anything has been written against the Jain teachings.
• Jayanā: A section for "Jayanā" related to all rules, especially in cases of serious illness, unconsciousness, madness, severe financial crisis, or accidental mistakes.

Page 16:

• References: Lists various Jain texts and other reference materials used in the compilation of this guide.

In essence, "Shravak na Bar Vrat tatha Anya Niyamo" is a practical and detailed manual for lay Jains, providing a framework for a disciplined spiritual life through the observance of vows and regulations, with a strong emphasis on minimizing harm and cultivating positive spiritual practices.