Śrāvaka (Jainism)
In Jainism, the word Śrāvaka or Sāvaga (from Jain Prakrit) is used to refer the Jain laity (householder). The word "śrāvaka" has its roots in the word "śrāvana", i.e. the one who listens (the discourses of the saints). The "tirthankara" restores or organises the "sangha", a fourfold order of "muni" (male monastics), "aryika" (female monastics), " śrāvaka"s (male followers) and "śrāvikā"s (female followers). In Jainism, there are two kinds of votaries: According to the Jain text "Puruşārthasiddhyupāya": Ratnakaranda śrāvakācāra, a major Jain text, discusses the conduct of a Śrāvaka in detail. Six essentials. In Jainism, six essential duties ("avashyakas ) are prescribed for a śrāvaka". These help the laity in achieving the principle of ahimsa which is necessary for his/her spiritual upliftment. The six duties are: Twelve Vows. Jain ethical code prescribes five main vows and seven supplementary vows, which include three "guņa vratas" and four "śikşā vratas". Mahavratas. In Jainism, both ascetics and householders have to follow five vows ("vratas") compulsorily. These five vows are: Anuvratas. Śikşā vratas. In performing "sāmayika" the "śrāvaka" has to stand facing north or east and bow to the "Pañca-Parameṣṭhi". He then sit down and recites the Namokara mantra a certain number  of times, and finally devotes himself to holy meditation. "Sāmayika" can be performed anywhere- a temple, private residence, forest and the like. But the place shouldn't be open to disturbance of any kind. A householder who observes these vows is called "", i.e., one who observes abstinence as well as non-abstinence. Sallekhanā. A householder who has observed all the prescribed vows to shed the "karmas", takes the vow of "sallekhanā" at the end of his life. According to the Jain text, "Puruşārthasiddhyupāya", "sallekhana enable a householder to carry with him his wealth of piety". The "Sallekhana", a voluntary vow  of self-starvation if the vows are impossible to uphold by reducing eating of food and partaking of liquids or die while engrossed in meditation with equanimity of mind. Sallekhana is preserving the loss of karma which would be impeded and prevent the further effacing of grief, fear, anger, affection, hatred, prejudice e.t.c. and other afflictions with or without his knowledge in contravening Right Faith, Right Thought and Right Conduct nearing the end of life after vows and austerities have had their beneficial karma on the world by their sacrifice, giving, restraint, pure thoughts and by listening, forgiving e.t.c.. A  Jain man or women with vows spends much time on prayer and scripture freed from pleasure and passion.