“Words may be few, but their meanings and sentiments are infinite.”
This is a rule of the world. Even a small visual can carry vast, boundless meanings—that is the beauty of our series Gagar Ma Sagar (An Ocean in a Pot).
Today marks the beginning of a new chapter:
“The Identity of Jainism and the Approach of a Householder”
🔹 Two Types of Householders in Jainism
Householders (Shravaks) are divided into two types:
- Those who have entered or wish to enter the Jain path
- Those who have taken vows (Vratdhari), called Shramanopasaks
As discussed earlier:
When you engage in Guru Darshan (meeting with a spiritual master), listen to discourses, and attend Satsang, you move the religion forward. It is our responsibility to preserve and carry forward our faith.
We must guide our future generations to stay rooted in Dharma. This begins today, with the word:
“Abhigam” — the spiritual approach of a householder.
🔹 What Is “Abhigam”?
- “Abhi” means towards, and “Gam” means to go.
- So, Abhigam means moving towards the Guru, the Soul, the Divine, and Dharma.
- It reflects both inner intentions and practical behavior.
Abhigam is twofold:
- Emotional (inner devotion)
- Practical (outward conduct)
Only understanding and thinking aren’t enough. You must practice it.
🔹 Practical Discipline for Entering Dharma
Next time you visit a spiritual center or a monk, carry a small notebook and make notes on:
- How you approached
- How you behaved
- How to maintain humility and reverence
Just like our parents taught us to be respectful when visiting elders, we too must carry humility when visiting Gurus or spiritual places.
🔹 Abhigam: Moving Toward Spiritual Stability
We often stay mentally focused during money matters or watching a movie—but that’s material stability, which is temporary.
Spiritual stability, once attained, leads to liberation (moksha), an eternal state.
So how do we cultivate it?
We must avoid what causes distraction or instability, like mobile phones. Only then can we sit in peace and reverence.
🔹 The Five Types of Abhigam for a Shravak
The scriptures describe five core disciplines (Abhigam) a Shravak should observe during Guru Darshan:
🕉️ 1. Renunciation of Living Beings (Sachit-Tyag)
- Sachit: Items containing life (fruits, flowers, fire, mobiles, etc.)
- These must be left behind when approaching spiritual places, to avoid harm to living beings.
🧘 2. Discretion in Non-Living Things (Achit-Vivek)
- Achit: Lifeless items like clothes, shoes, accessories
- One must maintain proper decorum:
- Remove shoes and headgear
- Wear modest, simple clothing (avoid Western dress if possible)
- Carry a dupatta or scarf as a sign of humility
🙏 3. Anjali-Karan (Folding of Hands)
- As soon as you see the Guru or a Tirthankara, join your palms together (Anjali).
- It symbolizes complete surrender and reverence.
😷 4. Mukhvastrika (Mouth Covering)
- Keep a mouth cover (muhpatti) or mask with you.
- The face should be covered while paying respects—not to prevent virus spread, but to avoid harming tiny life forms with breath.
Even a small act like this deepens our spiritual discipline.
🧠 5. Concentrated Mind (Ekagr Chit)
- Like placing mud in a glass of water—it settles when the glass is still.
- Likewise, stillness of the body brings stillness of the mind.
- Don’t talk, don’t fidget—just sit silently and you’ll feel the change.
This requires experimentation, not just reading.
Without practical experience, there is no real transformation.
🔬 Practice, Experience, Realization
Like Gandhi’s “Experiments with Truth,” you too must:
- Keep a diary
- Note your practical efforts
- Write about your experiences, not just theory
If you try and don’t succeed, don’t worry—we’re with you.
Because… this is “Gagar Ma Sagar” – An Ocean in a Pot.
📌 Conclusion
To summarize, a Shravak’s five spiritual approaches (Abhigam) are:
- Renunciation of Living Beings (Sachit-Tyag)
- Discretion in Non-Living Things (Achit-Vivek)
- Folding Hands with Devotion (Anjali-Karan)
- Covering the Mouth (Mukhvastrika)
- Focusing the Mind (Ekagr Chit)
If followed sincerely, these five disciplines can transform our visits into powerful spiritual experiences. Begin today—with small steps, with heartfelt discipline.
🪷 “From Practice Comes Realization, and from Realization Comes Liberation.”