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.