The six kinds of internal austerities.
These are called internal austerities because they are
mainly related to the mind.
Prayaschit (Atonement)
One should tell the preceptor the various errors of
commission and omission, the faults and sins committed knowingly or
unknowingly and must perform prayaschit. One must fully carry out the
prescribed atonement. One must make a determination and take a pledge not
to commit such faults again in future. Even if any small fault is
committed one must say "Michchami Dukkadam" I repent my fault and make
atonement for it.
Vinay (Politeness)
One must be polite towards elders and spiritual
superiors. One must offer them a seat. When they are moving by, one should
stand up with respect. One should conduct oneself in their presence, with
decency. One should keep oneself free from the condemning the religion and
the perceptos.
Vaiyavachch (service)
It means serving with devotion, to religious teachers,
ascetics, virtuous people, Sadhus and sadhvis and colleagues and
companions. One should render service specially to the sick and the weak;
and give them the necessary help. This quality is very efficacious as an
internal Tapas. The Tirtankars themselves have considered this quality as
of great significance "Those who render service to the weak and the sick
really render service to me" (to the Tirthankar). It has been stated thus
in the Shastras.
Vyutsarg (renouncing the attachment for the body)
One should get immersed in the meditation of the Jina,
Paramatma for whatever duration it is possible. After renouncing all
bodily inclinations and activities and after attaining stillness, one must
meditate upon the twenty four Tirthankars along with a certain number of
breathings. This austerity has also been called Kayotsarga Dhyan. It is
renouncing the attachment for the body and taking care of the soul.
Swadhyay (Spiritual studies leading to
self-realization)
One must study, learn and reflect deeply on such sacred
books as inspire one to attain self-realization and enable one to save
one's soul from getting lost in the entanglements of the mundane life.
Dhyan (Meditation)
Concentrating all the inclinations and potentialities
of the mind on a contemplation of the true form of the Atma, soul and the
Paramatma, the Supreme Soul and becoming completely absorbed in such a
contemplatlon.
Besides these. there are some other daily and special
austerities in vogue among Jains.
