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[Upasakadasangasutra]
The true use of the body is to follow the path of restraint and the root of non-violence. The Upasaka or Sadhaka takes care of his body because it is an aid in his religious practices. No one remains young forever, nor healthy, nor robust. The young become old, the healthy become sick, and the robust become weak. A time comes when the body itself needs the support of others for its sustenance. Due to illness and weakness, the individual becomes unable to perform religious activities. In such a situation, enthusiasm in the mind begins to decrease, weakness sets in, thoughts become impure, and life becomes a burden. The burden has to be carried. Why should a wise Sadhaka do this?
Jain philosophy provides a path for the Sadhaka. The Sadhaka abandons the feeling of protecting the body with peace and firmness. For this, he gives up food and drink and, in solitude or a sacred place, contemplates the self and ascends to a higher level of emotions. This vow is called Sanleshana. The commentator Abhaydeva Suri has defined Sanleshana as the thinning of the body and the passions. Beyond Sanleshana are two more words, Joshana and Aradhana. Joshana means to consume with pleasure. Aradhana means to follow or to put into practice, that is, to follow the Sanleshana vow with joy. There are two more adjectives, Apaschima and Maranantik. Apaschima means final or last, after which there is nothing left to do in this life. Maranantik means the Aradhana that continues until death. In this vow, there is not only the renunciation of food for life, but the Sadhaka also abandons worldly and otherworldly desires. He becomes so absorbed in self-delight that he rises above the desire for life and death. He does not desire to live for a while longer, nor does he fear death, nor does he yearn for it to come quickly so that the body may end and the suffering may cease. When death comes, he accepts it peacefully, with a natural feeling. How pure, elevated, and spacious this state of mind is from a spiritual perspective.
The excesses that have been conceived for this vow are based on the idea that the Sadhaka's virtuous conduct should not be hindered in any way.
_ The explanation of the excesses is as follows:
Ihalok-Ashansaprayog - Desire for worldly pleasures or comforts, such as, "I will become a king, wealthy, and prosperous after death."
Paralok-Ashansaprayog - Desire for the pleasures to be obtained in the otherworldly heaven, such as, "I will attain heaven after death and enjoy the unparalleled pleasures there."
Jivit-Ashansaprayog - Desire to live due to greed for praise, appreciation, fame, glory, etc., or fear of death.
Maran-Ashansaprayog - Desire to die quickly, considering the hunger, thirst, and other physical discomforts caused by austerity as suffering, thinking that these sufferings will soon be over.