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## 274
## Dasha Shruta Skandha Sutra
**Original Meaning:** A Bi-monthly Bhikshu Pratimā, having attained the state of an Anāgāra, is eternally liberated from the body, meaning he has no attachment to the body and only takes two dattis of food and two dattis of water. Similarly, in the Tri-monthly, Chatur-monthly, Pancha-monthly, Shan-monthly, and Sapta-monthly Bhikshu Pratimās, the Muni can take three, four, five, six, and seven dattis respectively. In essence, the number of dattis should increase with the number of months in the Pratimā.
**Commentary:** This Sutra describes the second to seventh Pratimās. When a Sadhu takes the second Bhikshu Pratimā, he should take two dattis of food and two dattis of water. However, his other practices should remain the same as the first Pratimā. The only difference is in the number of dattis. This should be understood for all seven Pratimās. Meaning, in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh Pratimās, he should take three, four, five, six, and seven dattis of food and water respectively. The intention is that the number of dattis should be equal to the number of months in the Pratimā. Each Pratimā is for two months. The number of months is only mentioned due to the increase in the number of dattis. In essence, the duration of the Bi-monthly Pratimā is also one month. The same should be understood for the Tri-monthly and others. The difference is only in the number of dattis. Thus, this Sutra describes seven dattis.
Now, the Sutrakar describes the eighth Pratimā:
**A Padmā Sapta-Raindīya Bhikshu Pratimā, having attained the state of an Anāgāra, is eternally liberated from the body, as long as he lives. He should stay in a place that is suitable for the fourth meal, either in his own house, or in a village, or in a place where there are many people, or in a place that is high, or in a place that is near a river, or in a place that is near a forest. There, he may experience divine, human, animal, or hellish states. He may experience these states...**