Page 71 - Courage Redifined

Chaityavandan-stavan in Derasar, reciting Navasmaran stotras,
doing Samayika, Pratikraman, then you can save yourself
from sins during that period. If you are constantly engaged
in healthy talks, religious discourses and contemplate on the
Anitya-Asharana Bhavanas showed by Arihanta Lords then,
due to such continuous efforts, the Papanubandhi surely get
suppressed and eventually wither away.

Why should Jain saints constantly do Swadhyaya* ?

This is the reason why a Jain Muni is supposed to do
Swadhyaya for 5 prahar out of the total day of 8 prahar. If
the mind is engaged in Swadhyaya, sinful thoughts do not
emerge in the mind. On the other hand, if the saint does not
keep his mind occupied in Swadhyaya, then according to the
saying, “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop”, the mind is
bound to get engaged in negative, unwanted thoughts. These
thoughts may be related to health issues, conveniences and
inconveniences, hatred or attachment or just nonsense thoughts
worrying about others. It is also possible that thoughts related
to lust and sensual attractions envelope the mind.

Example of a saint who lost his way :

There is an example in our scriptures in which a saint’s mind
was suddenly enveloped with sensual desires. He could not
control his thoughts and feelings of lust and attraction. He
shared his problem with his close companion. His companion
answered, “Such a low thought in such a pure ascetic life! You
are surely suffering from a severe Mohodaya. To suppress it
you should do severe penance and fasts and leave delicious
food.” The saint accepted his well-wisher’s advice and started
severe penance and followed strict vows but did not attain
any success in suppressing his desires. He again consulted

* Swadhyaya – the study of Jain Scriptures
Keep the Mind Undisturbed... 61