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The Nature of Water, Extreme and Abstinence Vows
**Yoga Shastra, Third Light, Verse 129**
One who has observed a fast can only eat after both food and water have increased. If water has not increased, one cannot eat food alone. Besides the above-mentioned food items, one who observes a vow renounces all four or three of the non-food items.
Now, the vow related to water is called *Paanass Paachchakkhaan*. In this, it is appropriate to observe the *Chauvvihaar Paachchakkhaan* in the excretory system during *Porsi*, *Purimadd*, *Ekaasana*, *Ekalthaana*, *Aayambil*, and fasting vows. However, if one observes the *Trivihaar Paachchakkhaan* and allows water, then six *aagaar* (exceptions) are mentioned for that. They are as follows:
* *Paanass Leyen Ya*, *Aleven Ya*, *Achchen Wa*, *Bahulevan Wa*, *Sasitthen Wa*, *Asitthen Wa* - *Yosirah*.
In the *aagaar* of *Porsi* etc., one should understand the third case as the fifth case, connecting it with the *aagaar* of *Annatthanaabhogenam*.
* *Leyen Wa* - I renounce the three types of food except water with a coating, such as *Osaaman* or *Khajar*, tamarind, etc., or water in a vessel with a coating.
This means that even if one drinks water with a coating after eating during a fast or *Ekaasana* etc., the vow is not broken. The word *Wa* (invariable) is present with each word or in the meaning. One should understand that all types of water, with or without a coating, etc., are specifically mentioned in the *Paanass* vow as unavoidable.
* *Aleven Wa* - Water that does not have a coating, but is filtered water from buttermilk, etc., in a vessel, etc., does not break the vow due to this *aagaar*.
* *Achchen Wa* - Water boiled three times, pure and clean water.
* *Bahulevan Wa* - Water used for washing sesame seeds or raw rice, called *Bahul Jal* or *Gudal Jal*.
* *Sasitthen Wa* - Water from cooked rice or *Maand*, grains, or *Osaaman*, filtered through a cloth.
* *Asitthen Wa* - Water filtered from flour particles, should be understood as similar to the *aagaar* of this type of water.
Now, regarding the extreme renunciation, it is said that *Charam* means the final vow. It has two divisions: one is for the final part of a day, and the other is for the final part of life. These two vows are called *Divascharim* and *Bhavarchim*, respectively. *Bhavarchim* renunciation is for as long as life lasts. Both have four *aagaar* each, which are mentioned in the following sutra:
* *Divascharim*, *Bhavarchim* Ya *Paachchakkwai*; *Chauvvihan Pi Aahaaram Asanam Paanam Khaaim* *Saim* *Annatthanaabhogenam* *Sahasaagaaren* *Mahattaraagaaren* *Savyasamaahiyattiaagaaren* *Yosirah*.
Here, there is a doubt that if *Ekaasana* etc., vows are also observed in the same way, then what is the need for *Divascharim* vow? Therefore, the *Divascharim* vow is useless. The solution is that this is not true. *Ekaasana* etc., have eight *aagaar*, including *Annatthanaabhogenam*, etc., while *Divascharim* has only four *aagaar*. Therefore, this vow is successful because it has fewer *aagaar* (exceptions).
Although the renunciation of the evening meal by monks and nuns is lifelong, and the *Ekaasana* etc., vows of householders are also until sunrise the next day (because the word *Divas* means day, and it also means "day and night" or *Aho-raatra*. The word *Aho-raatra* is also a synonym for *Divas*), still, the *Divascharim* renunciation in the form of renunciation of the evening meal reminds those monks and lay followers of that vow again, and therefore it is successful.
*Bhavarchim* vow has only two *aagaar*. In this, the *aagaar* of *Sarvasamadhi-pratyaya* and *Mahattaraagaar* are not needed. Only the two *aagaar* of *Anaabhog* and *Sahasaakaar* are sufficient for *Bhavarchim* vow. These two *aagaar* are included in this vow because it is possible to use something useless or to put a finger, etc., in the mouth. This is because the one who observes the extreme renunciation cannot completely renounce these two *aagaar*.
Now, the nature of the abstinence vow is explained. To make a resolution or rule in accordance with the renunciation of austerity in some form is called *Abhigraha*. It is in the form of various rules, such as cleaning and writing the punishment, allowing to get up, etc.