Acharya Mahaprajna
In the context of societal behaviour, the factors that regulate the limitation of desires are truthfulness and compassion. Insofar as the individual is concerned, the regulating factor is moderation. The inspiration behind the refrain from cheating in weightage and measurement is the concern for genuineness and compassion. In the reduction of personal consumption, the inspiration is from moderation.
The vrati shravakas (devout followers) of Mahavira did not make use of spurious means for earning money while they exercised limits in matters of personal life. Use of standard and fair means of earning wealth, maintaining a definite limit to accumulation of wealth and exercising moderation in personal consumption - these three directives together lead to the fulfilment of the pledge of limiting desires.
