Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
## Discourse on Eight Mothers and 35 Qualities of a Dharma-Adhikari
**Discussion on the Motherhood of Eight Mothers and the 35 Qualities of a Dharma-Adhikari**
**Yoga Shastra, First Light, Verses 45-46**
Cleanse the body with the first light of Yoga Shastra, verses 45-46. However, do not sleep excessively at either time. Wherever you stay, in a space of three hand-spans, each Sadhu should keep all their utensils, including their bowl. Before sitting on any seat or place, inspect it with your eyes and cleanse it with a broom. Sit on a mat that is clean and free of dust. If you need to stretch or fold your legs after sitting, inspect and cleanse the area as mentioned before. During the four months of the rainy season, sit on a Darbha-asana (seat made of Darbha grass) or a mat, following the above practices. Inspect and cleanse the staff and other utensils. If a Sadhu needs to go outside for essential work, they should look ahead in a space of three hand-spans, and with mindfulness, protect both mobile and immobile beings, walking slowly. When standing or sitting with support, one should first look around and remove any obstacles, then cleanse the area with a staff. Controlling all these actions and abandoning spontaneous movements is another type of bodily restraint. ||4||
Now, the five committees and three secrets are described as motherhood, as is well-known in the scriptures. ||45||
**Meaning:** The five committees and three secrets mentioned above are known as the "Eight Mothers" because they give birth to the body of a Sadhu's character, nurture it, and purify it, keeping it clean and pure. ||45||
**Explanation:** The committees and secrets are known as the "Eight Mothers" in the scriptures. The reason for this is that just as a mother gives birth to her child's body, nourishes it with milk, and keeps it clean by removing waste, these Eight Mothers give birth to the body of a Sadhu's character, protect it from harm, nourish it, and purify it from any impurities. ||45||
Now, we conclude by describing character. ||46||
This character is for all the great ascetics who have renounced everything. For those who are devoted to the Dharma of an ascetic, it is partial, depending on the country. ||46||
**Meaning:** There are two types of character: complete renunciation and partial renunciation. Complete renunciation is the complete abandonment of all harmful actions. This complete renunciation is the essence of the primary and secondary qualities. Who is the one who practices partial renunciation? In response, it is said that since the word "country" has many meanings, here it also means that a householder who practices partial renunciation should be deeply devoted to complete renunciation. A householder has a partial character, depending on the country. What is a householder? Due to living in the household, they are entangled in the affairs of family, livelihood, and other worldly matters, and due to the faults of association and other things, they cannot practice complete renunciation. It is also said, "A Shravaka who practices partial renunciation desires complete renunciation." Without devotion to the Dharma of an ascetic, it is possible for a householder to practice the vows of a Shravaka, but when their vows are violated from time to time, it is only possible to purify them through criticism, atonement, warnings, and the observance of the vow of hospitality if there is an ascetic who practices complete renunciation. Therefore, it is essential for householders to be connected to ascetics. ||46||
1. **Vrishi-Peetha, etc., are mentioned in the book, page 66.**
2. **For this reason, it is forbidden for a Shravaka to stay in an area where a Sadhu does not reside, as it is essential for them to be in the presence of a Sadhu.**
- Editor
61