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**Pinḍaniyukti: An Observation**
It is stated in the Āgama that among all the yogas of a Muni, bhikṣācaryā is the primary yoga. In Vyavahāra Bhāṣya, it is mentioned that a Muni who experiences laziness or carelessness in bhikṣācaryā is a mandasṁvigna (slow renunciate), and one who is diligent and enterprising in bhikṣācaryā is a tīvrasṁvigna (intense renunciate).
The bhikṣā of Jain ascetics is different from that of ordinary mendicants. They accept bhikṣā that is flawless and free from any harm. If a Muni accepts or approves of food that is obtained through running away, fleeing, causing suffering, or initiating an action, then his fasting, svādhyāya, and other yogas are destroyed like nectar in a broken vessel.
The bhikṣācaryā of a Muni, based on complete non-violence, is bound by numerous rules and sub-rules. The method of bhikṣā, which is pure in nine ways and free from 42 faults, is not found in either the Buddhist tradition or the Vedic tradition. The Buddha considered purposeful, purchased, and requested food as acceptable. The first study of the famous Jain text Daśavaikālika begins with the non-violent bhikṣāvrutti of a Muni. The ascetic resolves in the language of the Uttama Puruṣa, "May we obtain such a livelihood (bhikṣāvrutti) that does not cause suffering to anyone." This is a vow voluntarily accepted by the Muni, not imposed by anyone.
The bhikṣācaryā of an ascetic is also called vr̥tti-saṁkṣepa. It is not about obtaining desired substances, but about being content with whatever is received. Expressing reverence for the method of flawless bhikṣā presented by the omniscient ones, Ācārya Śayyambhava says in the Daśavaikālika Sūtra, "Oh, how the Jinas have made this provision for the livelihood of the wealthy!"
In the Aṣṭakaprakarṇa, Haribhadra has written three chapters related to bhikṣā. In the Bhikṣāṣṭaka Prakarṇa, he mentions three types of bhikṣācaryās: 1. Sarvasampatkari, 2. Pauraṣaghnī, 3. Vr̥ttibhikṣā. Accepting pure bhikṣā while avoiding faults is Sarvasampatkari bhikṣā. Obtaining bhikṣā through conduct contrary to saṁyaktva without working in the garb of a śramaṇa is Pauraṣaghnī bhikṣā. And the bhikṣāvrutti that is relied upon by the poor, lowly, disabled, and destitute as a means of livelihood is Vr̥ttibhikṣā. A Nirgrantha ascetic does not engage in either Pauraṣaghnī bhikṣā or Vr̥ttibhikṣā. He fulfills his needs through Sarvasampatkari bhikṣā.