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Nakedness is a virtue of not only Jainism but in almost every religion of the
world. Nakedness is the glowing example of socialism and APRIGRAH (Possession less) of a very high order. Naked Jain saints present an example of
socialism and aprigrahvad denouncing the love and possession of worldly wealth
and essentials of very high order by discarding gold, silver, money other valuables and even this necessary to protect
his body. Not to cover the body with cloths, leather, bark leaves or any other thing and
to live naked without any possession and fashion or adornment is known in the
word as a worship able virtue by the name of Achailktav. AchailKtav means Nirgranth or
Digamber.
Digamber means whose clothe all are all direction (East,
west, north, south, earth & sky) only. Here word Digamber is only symbolic
other wise one does not become Digamber only by being naked. When one is very soft and calm in nature by heart and thoughts as well as in behavior towards others then it is called
Digamber.
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Acharya
Shantisagarji Maharaj |
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Its other name
is Nirgranth. Nirgranth means one who has no room or link for wrath,
pride,
wickedness, greed, sexual thoughts, greed sexual thoughts, bad customs etc.
in
his inner self and cloths, wealth, wife, son, money and other things of comfort
for his body worldly attachments.The importance of uncommon, of very high order, simple, natural, innocence,
nirgranth form and omnipresence as character of Jainandra Bhagwan (Conqueror of
desires) is recognized in all religions and every cycle of time in one form or
the other. Lord Buddha himself says that first he lived naked, Nirgranth, roamed
indefinite, ate his meals in his palms, He did hard meditations (Tapasya). These
statements prove that Buddha himself was a Nirgranth, but later on he left the
Digamber path (sharaman marg) due to its recourse and he adopted middle
path. (Ref. from Tripitk)
It is stated in the story of (TISHAKH VASHAR DHMM PADTH) that in the house of a wealthy man five hundred jain saints took their food. It appears from
Mahavagg that jain saints is used to visit Vaishali Kingdom, reference of Digamber saints is found in Mahapari Nirvana Sutra and also about their
movements in Vinay Patak. Oldest scripture RIGVEDA of Vedic Literature refers naked saints by the word
'VATRASHNA'.
Another authentic holy scripture of vedic religion 'YAJURVED' says that Bhagwan Mahavira was naked and his worshipers removed darkness of doubt,
uncertainty and false knowledge, and also finished the pride of wealth and body
etc.
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Sharman
(Nirgranth Saints) are expert par excellence in the knowledge of Soul.
Muni are naked having (Peechee) bunch of Peacock feathers and practicing
Mahavrat (observance of extreme degree of Ahimsa, truth, non stealing,
celibacy, aprigrah).
Jagat guru Shankracharya has written in 'Vive Chudamani' that saint who keeps only all the directions as his clothes are, he lives Digamber
he in his exalted state by becoming absolutely free from worries is capable to enjoy the pleasure of knowing the
soul.
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It is written in RamKrishan Katha Amrit that RamKrishan attained the state of highest Virtue. On awaking from sleep his follower say it is day break.
RamKrishan is naked like a child and there is not a single thread on his body Swamiji said to his follower Ashwani Kumar
Dutt. "When I forget all physical attachments then clothes are also off."
This proves that Nirgranth form is favorable and beneficial sign-Nakedness is the original form, to cover the body with clothes is to hide
the evil instinct. When man is born he is naked, in childhood he remains mostly
naked, people are pleased by seeing him so child never feels shy over his nakedness.
Nirgranth muni due to being simple and devoid of sexual desires needs no clothes. Due to their unshaken belief that body is the main cause of all evils
and is different from soul, so they do not love their body and therefore they do
not wear clothes to protect it. They are far off from attachment love, sexual
desires and physical beauty so do not adorn cloths. They think when we took
birth naked and will go naked after death then where is the necessity to adorn
cloths and perform evil acts in between the two. Nirgranth Muni due to discarding internal as well as external attachments discard cloths also. Therefore all of us see with reverence those who are actual image of
Ahimsa, truth, celibacy (brahmchary) and Aprigrah. we must not hate or
criticize by seeing them. |
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