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## The Nature of the Eight Sermons of the Mother
**Yoga Shastra, First Light, Verses 32-34**
Because the mind becomes agitated by seeing the beautiful limbs of women, adorned with beauty and grace; just as a moth is destroyed by falling on a flame, so too, one who looks with desire is consumed by the fire of lust. There is no fault in seeing if it is done without desire or aversion. It is also said, "It is impossible not to see the form of an object that comes into the field of vision of the eye. But a wise man should not have desire or aversion for that form."
Similarly, one should renounce the adornment of one's body with bathing, anointing, makeup, etc., decorating, perfuming, making nails and teeth shiny, grooming hair well, or using cosmetics, etc., and the various forms of adornment and beautification. A foolish man, engrossed in the adornment of an impure body, with his insane thoughts, needlessly throws his soul into the abyss of suffering. Thus, renouncing the desire to look at the beautiful limbs of women and the adornment of one's own body is included in the fourth sentiment.
Similarly, one should renounce the consumption of delicious, aphrodisiac, nourishing, sweet-tasting food, and even if the food is tasteless, one should not eat it in excess. That is, one should not stuff oneself with dry and bland food. Thus, a celibate should renounce both types of food. By constantly consuming nourishing, aphrodisiac, delicious, oily, juicy food, one strengthens the primary element in the body, and from that, the awakening of the Vedas occurs, which leads to the possibility of indulging in non-celibacy. Eating in excess not only destroys celibacy but also harms the body. It causes many diseases in the body, such as indigestion, etc. Therefore, it should be renounced. The Ayurveda Shastra says that a person should keep half of their stomach for food, including vegetables, two parts for water, and one-sixth for air circulation (Pindani. 650). Thus, the fifth sentiment is established.
In this way, the five sentiments of celibacy are explained, encompassing nine types of celibacy practices. || 31 ||
Now, the five sentiments of the fifth great vow are described:
|| 32 || In touch, taste, smell, form, and sound, one should renounce excessive attachment to these five objects of the senses. || 32 ||
|| 33 || In these same objects, which are not pleasing, one should completely renounce aversion. Thus, the five sentiments of the vow of non-possession (Aparigraha or Nirmama) are described. || 33 || (Pair)
**Meaning:** Renouncing excessive attachment to the five objects of the senses, which are pleasing to the mind, such as touch, taste, smell, form, and sound, and completely renouncing aversion to these same five objects, which are unpleasant, are the five sentiments of the great vow of non-possession (Aparigraha or Nirmama). || 32-33 ||
**Explanation:** One should renounce desire for objects of the senses, such as touch, etc., which are pleasing to the mind. One should not have aversion (hatred) for objects of the senses, such as touch, etc., which are unpleasant to the senses. A person who is attached has desire for pleasing objects and aversion for unpleasant objects. One who is neutral does not have any attachment or aversion for these objects because they are not affected by them. Aversion is inevitable with desire. Therefore, it is mentioned later. "Kinchan" refers to external and internal possessions. One who does not possess anything is called "Akichana." The meaning is that non-possession is another name for Aparigraha. It is the form of the fifth great vow. One should understand these five sentiments. || 32-33 ||
After describing the nature of the virtue of the primary qualities, now the nature of the virtue of the secondary qualities is described:
|| 34 || Or, the virtue purified by the five Samitis and three Guptis is called Samyak Charitra by the wise sages. || 34 ||
**Meaning:** The wise sages have called the virtue of the monks, purified by the five Samitis and three Guptis, as Samyak Charitra. || 34 ||
**Explanation:** Samiti means "Samyak Pravritti," i.e., the technical term for five types of actions, or, according to the teachings of the Arhats, the term for praiseworthy actions. Gupti means "protection of the soul." The control of the mind, speech, and body (actions of the mind, speech, and body) of a seeker is called Gupti. The virtue of the holy ones, purified by these five Samitis and three Guptis, is called Samyak Charitra by the wise sages. || 34 ||