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## Chapter 28: The State of Unwavering Resolve
The Blessed One, having cleansed the mouth-cloth, then cleansed the bowls and the clothes. After cleansing the bowls, he took them and went to where the Lord Mahavira was seated. Arriving there, he bowed and prostrated himself before the Lord and said, "Lord, today is the day of my fast-breaking. So, with your permission, I wish to go to the city of Kakanda to beg for alms, following the rules of begging in high, low, and middle-class families."
The Lord Mahavira said to the Blessed One, "O Beloved of the Gods! Do as you please, do not delay."
Having received permission, the Blessed One left the Lord and departed from the Sahasramravan garden. He walked with a steady pace, free from bodily haste and mental agitation, without anxiety or eagerness, observing the earth with equanimity. He arrived in the city of Kakanda. There, he wandered through the high, low, and middle-class families, accepting only the coarse food offered to him. He did not desire any delicious food.
Afterwards, the Blessed One, with a well-directed, excellent effort, guided by the instructions of his teachers and fully accepting the principles of right conduct, searched for alms. If he found food, he did not find water, and if he found water, he did not find food.
(Even in such a situation) the Blessed One remained humble, without resentment, joyful, free from passions, without sorrow, and constantly in meditation. He followed the path of conduct, striving in the practices he had attained and making efforts to attain the practices he had not yet attained. He accepted the alms he received and left the city of Kakanda. He returned to the Lord, and after performing the necessary rituals for his journey, he reflected on the faults he had committed while begging. He showed the Lord the food and water he had received.
Then, with the Lord Mahavira's permission, the Blessed One, free from fainting and greed, ate the food without attachment, just as a snake enters a hole without touching the sides, but only the middle. The Blessed One ate without any attachment to taste, just as a snake enters a hole directly. After eating, he continued to wander, cultivating his soul through restraint and austerity.
**Commentary:** Here, the author describes the unwavering resolve of the Blessed One. After taking the vow, when he went to the city to beg for alms, he wandered through the houses of the rich, poor, and middle class, accepting whatever food and water he found. He received alms that were difficult to obtain, guided by the instructions of his teachers, and accepted with enthusiasm, but he found food without water and water without food. Yet, the Blessed One never felt humility, sorrow, anger, or any other defilement or sorrow. Instead, he remained constantly in meditation, practicing the practices he had attained and striving to attain the practices he had not yet attained. He accepted whatever he received while begging.