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IRIAVAHIA SUTRA  (Repentance & Apologies)

Aimutta was the prince of Polaspur’s king.

Once, this seven year old child was playing with a few friends in the streets.  It was a very hot day.  At this time child Aimutta saw Gautamswami, who was bare-footed and bald, and was making rounds for Gochari (food).   Aimutta ran to him and asked him why he was wandering.  On hearing the answer Aimutta took Gautamswami to his house.

His  mother  was  pleased  with his  devotion  and  welcomed Gautamswami  by the greeting, “Maithen Vandami” (I  solemnly bow   with  my  head  down).   Aimutta’s mother introduced Gautamswami as a learned Ganadhar of Lord Mahavir.   Aimutta responded that they were so lucky to give him Gochari and proceeded to listen to Gautamswami’s discourse.

When it was time for Gautamswami to leave, Aimutta asked Gautamswami if he   could   carry   the bag (containing food   utensils) that Gautamswami was holding so diligently.  Gautamswami told him that the bag could only be carried by one who has accepted monkshood.

The boy desired this monkshood, but he was told that he needed his parents’ permission.  The mother, upon hearing the request, told him he was only a child and not familiar with the rigorous code of conduct that a Muni has to live by.  Aimutta insisted on Diksha (monkshood), saying that the code cannot be known beforehand, and that he was willing to suffer all the hardships that may follow.

He told his mother that he knew two things: (1) One who is born is sure to die; and (2) One does not know when he will die.    Although still a child, Aimutta explained the transitory nature of life to his mother, who remained silent.

After making Aimutta the king for one day, he was permitted to take the initiation before Lord Mahavir.  Then he was entrusted to an elderly Muni for training.  He then began to learn.

One day, young Aimutta Muni went with the elderly Muni to the lake.  While the elderly Muni was resting, Aimutta Muni saw children playing with paper sailboats in the water, and he also put his small pot in the lake and told the other boys how nicely his boat was floating.

On seeing this old Muni told Aimutta Muni that he had become a Muni and thus had taken vows not to harm the all kinds of living organisms and here, Aimutta Muni was breaking his vow.   Feeling deeply ashamed of himself, Aimutta Muni went to Lord Mahavir with great repentance and while reciting “Iriavahia Sutra,” he began crying.  He uttered the words, “Pankkamane Biyakamane” and began to apologize to all living beings.   While doing so, he attained Kevalgnan (nothing but knowledge) and ultimately got liberation.

 

MORAL LESSON:  We often say this Iriavahia Sutra ourselves, but only as a recital of words is “Dravya Kriya.”  However, if recited with true and sincere repentance, it can become a “Bhav Kriya.”

The End

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