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how to take samvar
In Jain Dharma, Saṁvar (सम्वर) means: stopping new karmas from coming to the soul. It is not a one-time ritual; it is a way of living every moment with care and awareness.
Below is a very simple, practical way “how to take / practice Saṁvar” in daily life:
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1. Understand What Causes Āsrav (inflow of karma)
First, we reduce the causes through which karma enters:
- Wrong beliefs (mithyātva) – not believing in soul, karma, liberation.
- Passions (kaṣāy) – anger, pride, deceit, greed.
- Careless activities of mind, speech, body.
Whenever these are active, new karma comes in; when we stop them, Saṁvar happens.
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2. Control of Mind, Speech, Body (Gupti)
Try to bring discipline (gupti) in three areas:
- Mana-gupti – Control of thoughts
- Don’t allow thoughts of hatred, jealousy, revenge. - Try to think with samata (equanimity): “Every soul is like me, wanting happiness.”
- Vachan-gupti – Control of speech
- Avoid lies, harsh words, gossip, backbiting. - Speak soft, true, and beneficial words only.
- Kāya-gupti – Control of body
- Avoid himsā (violence) by body as much as possible. - Walk, sit, work carefully, without hurting living beings.
Bringing care and discipline here directly creates Saṁvar.
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3. Careful Conduct (Samiti)
Jain scriptures describe five Samitis – ways to act carefully:
- Iryā Samiti – Careful walking / movement
- Walk slowly, mindfully, not stamping or kicking unnecessarily.
- Bhāṣā Samiti – Careful speaking
- Think before talking; do not hurt anyone by words.
- Eṣaṇā Samiti – Careful in getting food and things
- Take pure, allowed food; avoid waste, avoid violence in getting food.
- Ādāna–Nikṣepa Samiti – Care in taking and placing things
- Do not throw or drop things roughly; put things down gently.
- Utsarga Samiti – Care related to disposal (e.g., excretion)
- Keep cleanliness, and avoid harm to living beings even there.
Living with Samiti reduces careless actions; hence Saṁvar.
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4. Practise Dharma with Awareness (Yati-dharma)
Some important inner practices that create Saṁvar:
- Kṣamā (Forgiveness) – Let go of anger and hatred.
- Mārdava (Humility) – Reduce ego and pride.
- Ārjava (Straightforwardness) – Be simple and honest.
- Śauca (Contentment, purity of wants) – Reduce desires.
- Saṁyama (Self-control) – Control over senses and pleasures.
- Tap (Tapa / Austerity) – Fasting, limiting food, bearing small difficulties peacefully.
- Tyāga (Renunciation) – Slowly give up unnecessary possessions and attachments.
Whenever you practise these, you are taking Saṁvar at that moment.
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5. Vows (Vrata) – Strong form of Saṁvar
For Śrāvaks (householders):
- 12 Vratas (5 aṇu-vrata, 3 guṇa-vrata, 4 śikṣā-vrata)
For Sādhus / Sādhvīs:
- Mahāvratas (great vows) – complete non-violence, truth, etc.
If you cannot take big vows, start with small, realistic vows, like:
- “I will not speak harshly today.”
- “I will not eat after sunset today.”
- “I will not hurt anyone knowingly.”
These are also steps towards Saṁvar.
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6. Daily Simple Practice for You
You can practice Saṁvar daily like this:
- Morning
- Do pratikraman in short form: remember any wrong done, decide to avoid it today. - Take 1–2 small vows for the day (e.g., no anger outburst, no gossip).
- During the day
- Stay alert to anger, pride, deceit, greed. - Whenever they rise, pause, take a breath, stay silent for a moment – this itself is Saṁvar.
- Evening / Night
- Do alochana–pratikraman: - Recall mistakes of the day. - Feel true regret (ālochana). - Decide not to repeat (pratikraman). - Sit 5–10 minutes in sāmāyik (equanimity), watching your thoughts without attachment.
All this together is practical Saṁvar.
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7. Essence
- Saṁvar is not a formal “taking” like a ceremony only.
- Saṁvar means:
Every small step in self-control, forgiveness, care, and awareness = Saṁvar is happening.
If you tell me whether you are a beginner, practising layperson, or more advanced, I can suggest a very short daily Saṁvar routine tailored to you.
