Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c14.t1.95

c14.t1.95

It is stated in Jain texts that a sādhu should not be negligent in his duties, and it is commendable for him to enter into fire rather than to violate his long-cherished vow 57 But it should be borne in mind that the ideal of sramanahood was not to be followed literally It is laid down that in order to cherish the greater vow one can sacrifice the lesser one, just like a merchant who abandons the lesser quantity of wealth in preference to the greater quantity 58 The Jain Sramanas are strictly warned against violating their religious vows, but at the same time it is stated that the life is not without merit and it must be guarded thoroughly even at the risk of sañjama (sañamaṁ appāṇameva rakkhanto), for, it is said that if a person came out safe from the calamity, he could purify himself by making confessions (pacchitta) and could practise more religious tenets 59 It is stated that one's body must be guarded with care as it were a mountain, as a mountain is the source of water so is the body of religion 60