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**Pinḍaniyukti: An Observation**
The sixth gate related to Ādhākarma in the Piṇḍaviśuddhiprakaraṇa, "Taddāne Doṣa," is different from the gates of Piṇḍaniyukti. This gate is related to householders. Ādhākarma, which is the giving of food, disrupts the character of the ascetics, therefore householders should not use it in the path of Utsarga.
The author quotes an instance from the fifth śataka of Bhagavati that a person incurs the bondage of short lifespan due to three reasons: 1. Violence, 2. Lying, and 3. Giving unsuitable and inedible food to a true Śramaṇa. In the eighth śataka of Bhagavati, a fourfold classification of giving, recipient, what is to be given, and benefit is found. A restrained ascetic takes pure food.
* **Ekānta Nirjarā:** A restrained ascetic takes unsuitable food.
* **Bahut Nirjarā, Alp Pāpa:** An unrestrained person takes suitable and edible food.
* **Ekānta Pāpa, Nirjarā Nahīṁ:** An unrestrained person takes unsuitable and inedible food.
In this, the first classification - giving suitable and pure food - is pure. In the second classification, there is a desire for purity. The remaining two classifications are the cause of Ekānta Pāpa. The second option of this fourfold classification, giving unsuitable and inedible food to a restrained ascetic, is debatable. There is no mention of this kind in the Āgama literature in the context of Ādhākarma. While explaining this statement, the commentator Abhaydeva Sūri has said that here, due to being beneficial to character, Nirjarā and due to the killing of a living being, a lesser bondage is accepted. Jayācārya, quoting the opinion of Ācārya Bhiksu in the Joḍ of Bhagavati, has said that if the giver, knowing it to be pure in practice, gives inedible food unknowingly, then he has a lot of Nirjarā, but there is no bondage of sinful karma. Here, the word "Alp" is a negation indicator, yet both Abhaydeva Sūri and Ācārya Bhiksu have considered this instance to be only knowable by a Kevali. Ācārya Mahāprajña has explained this sūtra in detail in the Bhagavati Bhāṣya.
This instance has been explained in the Piṇḍaviśuddhiprakaraṇa in relation to the path of Utsarga and exception. If, in a situation of sustenance without expectation, a householder gives Ādhākarma food and an ascetic takes it, then this situation is harmful and meaningless for both. In the exception, it is acceptable in a situation of famine or illness. In this instance, the detailed commentary written by Ācārya Mahāprajña, the ninth commentary of Sūtrakṛtāṅga Part 2, page 304, is worth reading and pondering.
1. Piṇḍpra 20.
2. Bhag 5/126, Piṇḍpraṭī p. 23.
3. Bhag 8/245-247.
4. See Bhag Bhā. 3 p. 94, 95.
5. Piṇḍpra 21.
Santharanami asuddham, doṇha vi geṇhat dentayāṇ'ahiyam. Āuraditumteṇam, tam ceva hiyam asantharaṇe.