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सचित्र उत्तराध्ययन सूत्र
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CHAPTER 16 CONDITIONS OF PERFECT CELIBACY
Foreview
This chapter is named Conditions of Perfect Celibacy. It is composed in prose and verse both. The maxims are elaborated by couplets.
In the previous fifteenth chapter, there was the description of characterstics of a faultless mendicant sage and his life-order. Now in this chapter attempt has been made to tell him the places of a contemplation-peace.
Generally the meaning of celibacy is taken as non-intercourse or to control the genitals-subdue the touch-senise; but this interpretation is not complete.
Thinking deeply, celibacy denotes controlling all the five senses; but it is also not perfect.
Really the comprehensive meaning of celibacy is-to control all the five senses along with mental and vocal activities.
Spiritual conception of celibacy is to fix oneself in his own soul and soul-virtues.
The soul is eternal treasure of infinite imperishable bliss and peace. But the person, who cannot go deep in the deapth of soul, he searches the happiness in sensual and physical pleasures. So he becomes of outward outlook, extrovert. Attempt to break this delusion of man is the beginning of celibacy.
Ten places of celibacy contemplation are narrated, really these are the nine incognitoes (a) or nine kraal rings (TS) and the tenth is like the fort, the protector of all these nine incognitoes or kraal rings
These nine kraal rings and ten places of contemplation and peace are not themselves celibacy; but these are the protectors and helpers of celibacy. For practising celibacy these are helpful.
But this does not lessen their importance. These are must for an adept. By the slip in these, the probability of celibacy-break may occur.
It is also evident by the style of this chapter. On one hand the benefits of celibacy-these nine incognitoes are asserted and on the other hand the harms also described occuring by their slips.
This chapter contains 12 maxims and 17 couplets.
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