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STAGES OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT drinking ; excesive sensuous indulgence; things done, said or thought through extreme anger, pride, deceitfulness, or greed; excessive sleep; and also talk about matters which do not concern us, such as wars between other countries; talk about woman's bodily charms, about good dinners and about kings.
By taking this eighth vow we use a means of guarding ourselves against many evils which we might otherwise incur to no purpose. Transgressions!
1. Gestures that arouse the sex-passion (kandrpa). 2. Antics, tomfoolery (kautkucya).
3. Obtaining and keeping things that are not necessary for our wordly welfare (bhogopabhoga-atireka).
4. Overtalkativeness (maukharya).
5. Leaving dangerous instruments ready for self-use more than are necessary, for lending the use of such instruments to others etc., etc. (samyukta-adhikaraṇa).
FOUR ŠIKSĀ VRATAS
NINTH VOW (Sāmāyika-Vrata)
This is the first of the disciplinary vows (Śikṣāvrata). It is a vow by observing which one gets equanimity. It consists in thinking about the permanent self; or in reading true philosophy or scriptures; or in lamenting the wrongs one has done and strengthening the resolution not to repeat the wrong in future. Also revering the Master by recounting his merits. The time taken should be forty-eight consecutive minutes, predetermined, and the vow should be taken to practise it a definite number of times a year, 12 times, 52 times, nie a day, or some definite time.
The general idea of this vow is to sit in a certain place and read or meditate on holy subjects, and especially to regret misdoings and resolve not to repeat them. 1. Taltvārthasūtra, VII. 27. Yogasästra, III. 114.
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