Caujjama

(Caujjama); "Fourfold Restraint". The religion of Parsva was called `Caujjama dhamma, the fourfold religion which prescribes abstinence from Himsa, falsehood, stealing and acquisition.

The followers of Parsva were allowed to put on clothes, according to this tradition. Other details may be inferred from the practices observed by the parents of Mahavira, who were the worshippers of Parsva.

They practiced penance's and repented for certain transgressions committed, and on a bed of grass they rejected all food, and their bodies dried up by the last mortification of the flesh, which is to end in death.'

The question as to why there was the difference in the number of vows enjoined by Parsva and Mahavira as four and five respectively is replied by saying that the saints under the first Tirthamkara were simple but slow of understanding, those under the last Tirthamkara were prevaricating and slow of understand­ing, those between the two were simple and wise, hence there are two forms of the law.'

Again, the first could with difficulty understand the precepts of the law and the last could only with difficulty observe them, but those between them easily understood and observed them.'7