STORIES
Pratikramanopari Sajjan
Dandnayak
Jineshwar Lords have taken five
types of Pratikraman into account for the human well being. The devotees
should observe it with respect. We should stop sinful actions and start
noble deeds. That is the real Pratikraman. Thus has been the Pratikraman
interpreted by the wise.
Right from the ancient period
sansar pratikraman has been divided into four types (1) Mithyatva
Pratikraman (2) Asamyam Pratikraman (3) Kashay Pratikraman (4) Aprashasta
Pratikraman.
Returning from parbhav to swabhav is
defined as pratikraman.
If the same type of sinro
included it if called Bhav Pratikraman.
Those who
conduct Bhav Pratikraman every day become happy in this life and the next
one also.
There was a ruler named Bhimdev during the
year 1235 in the city named Shree Pattan Nagar. He was brilliant but
reserved inside.
He kept Sahasrakala the prostitute as
his wife who was conversant with hundreds of arts. She was a care taker of
the state etc.
In that state there was a judge named
Sajjan of the caste Shrimali. He was renowned for his observance of
devotees twelve vows and Samyaktva. He was dining only after Lord
Jineshwar's worship and went to bed only after Pratikraman. These two vows
were firmaly observed.
Once Yavans' army invaded the
city so all the people from children to the old ones began to fear.
The queen taking an army with her joined the judge Sajjan to face the
Mlechha aremy and bravely fought on the battle field.
In
that battle twenty four thousand horses, thirty two thousand men and one
thousand elephants were killed.
The queen offered
elephants, horses and weapons to the soldier and made Sajjan a commander.
During Brahma Muhoort Sajjan himself sat on the elephant and got his
soldiers ready to fight.
Then Sajjan seated on the
elephant began to conduct japmala and Pratikraman because the pious people
realise the power of time.
Then the soldiers on both the
sides began to think, "He is pious, how can he fight ? The merciless only
can fight on the battle field.
Being concentrated and
composed after Pratikraman and Samayik he led his army there.
With a view to not allowing the entrance of indiscipline in the army; and
seeing the possibility of the passage of Pratikraman period Sajjan sitting
on the elephant only conducted Pratikraman Pooja and prayers, because any
action if made in time turns out beneficial and auspicious.
Then a horrible battle took place between both the armies Elephant riders
on the elephants, horse riders on the horses charioteers on the chariots
and walkers on foot moved forward.
Then the commander
Sajjan fought so fervently that the wicked Yavans' army like a crows crowd
within a moment fled away.
But then the commander Sajjan
received ten serious wounds. The soldiers took him away to the queen. She
got these wounds remedied and cured.
The queen was
fanning with the bordering of her silky saree-garment. The famous
physicians were called and the treatment was made.
The
soldiers said to the queen, "Her highness, what can be said about him ?
Sajjan fought so
fervently as no one up till now fought. Then the queen said to Sajjan,
"How did you do that ?"
In reply to the question the
commander Sajjan said, "Oh queen ! I observed my religious function at
night and performed my duty to fight for you in the morning, because my
body is subjected and dedicated to you.
But my mind is
under my control, So I observed my Pratikraman at night. On hearing his
words all the people praised saying, "What a firm faith in the religion."
After being recovered by the treatment of the queen and the physicians
Sajjan went to his home town. There he began to perform empirical
duties along with his religious rites and ritually.
Those who like the commander Sajjan do not violate the vows even having
been plight stricken receive and realise the happiness of salvation quite
effortlessly.
The wise tell more five types of
Pratikraman. They are (1) Devasia Pretaing to the day time (2) Raiya-
nocturnal (3) Paxik - forthnightly (4) Chaturmasi four months period (5)
Samvatsari annual.
The religion of the first Teerthankar
Lord Rishabhadev and the last Teerthankar Lord Mahavirswami is involving
Pratikraman and the religion of the middle twenty two Teerthankars
occasionally includes it.
A devotee and an ascetic must
perform Pratikraman daily day and night. Pratikraman has been considered
essential.
Oh blessed souls ! discontinue laziness and
obsence Pratikraman. By Pratikraman one can be disloaded and free from the
bonds of the world ness.