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## Pinḍaniryukti: An Observation
**Method of Consumption**
The **Oghaniryukti** and its commentary present a psychological, practical, and poignant discussion regarding the acceptance of food from a vessel and its placement in the mouth for consumption. The text vividly describes the mindset of the eater through the analogy of animals. The **Oghaniryukti** uses the example of a crow and a jackal to illustrate improper consumption. Just as a crow eats grains hidden in dung, scattering the rest and looking around while eating, similarly, consuming food with relish, dropping food, or looking around in another's vessel while eating is considered improper. The jackal eats different parts of its food, not in order, similarly, if rice is mixed with fragrant ghee, drinking the ghee and leaving the rice is improper consumption. Consuming superior and inferior substances together is considered proper. Eating one's food in pieces, like a lion, is considered proper consumption. A monk who eats improperly is given **Kalyanak** atonement by the **Acharya** to prevent the repetition of such an act.
The method of placing food in the mouth, as described in the **Bhagawti Sutra**, is also found in the **Oghaniryukti** commentary. When placing food in the mouth, if there is excessive chili, the monk should not make a "snorting" sound. While chewing, the monk should not make a "smacking" sound. The monk should not eat too quickly or too slowly. While eating, the monk should not drop food. The **Dashavaikalik Sutra** mentions "**Jayam Aparisaḍayam**", which points to this very aspect. After eating, the monk should wipe any food residue from the vessel with their finger and eat it. Whether the substance is fragrant or foul, the monk should not leave even a small portion uneaten. The **Oghaniryukti** also emphasizes the use of appropriate qualities of mind, speech, and body. This means that while eating, the monk should not have distorted thoughts, should not express reactions to the food through speech, and should not express through their body that they would not eat such distorted food. This way, the eater achieves purity in consumption.
**Consumption Craving or Māṇḍalik Dosha**
The **Pinḍaniryukti** refers to the poignant story of a fisherman and a fish in the context of **dravya grāsaishana** (craving for food). In this story, the fish tells the fisherman its story from its own mouth. The fish says that it escaped the mouth of a **balaka** (a type of bird) three times. It also escaped the fisherman's net twenty-one times with skill. Even when caught in the net, it escaped the fisherman's grasp while being threaded through the net.
**Footnotes:**
1. **Oabha** 296-98.
2. **Oabha** 288.
3. **Oabha** 300.
4. **Bhagawti** 7/25.
5. **Dashavaikalik** 5/1/96.
6. **Dashavaikalik** 5/2/1.
7. **Oabha** 289, **Tika** p. 187.