Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
Third Class
29
They used to accept it. - In this way, they remained firm on their vow and, making their soul steadfast and immovable, they continued to wander joyfully on the path of self-control. Whatever food they obtained in alms, they ate it with such detachment as a snake directly enters its burrow, that is, they did not eat the food with relish, but their only desire was to protect the body for the sake of self-control.
The commentator explains the meaning of the phrase "like a snake in its burrow" as follows - "Just as a snake enters the burrow without touching the sides, so this one accepts the food without any attachment, as if touching it with the mouth." That is, just as a snake enters the burrow without touching the sides, in the same way, the blessed monks made their soul steadfast in the practices of self-control without any attachment. Not only this, but they were also always striving to attain the unknown knowledge and the like.
Then the ascetic, the venerable Mahavira, withdraws from another city, Kakundika, with its thousand mango groves, and dwells in the outskirts.
Then that blessed houseless monk studies the eleven angas (scriptures) with the elders of the venerable Mahavira, and then, practicing self-control and austerity, he continues to wander. Then that blessed houseless one, with that great austerity, becomes like Skandaka [i.e., extremely emaciated] up to [being endowed with generosity, vastness, dedication, firmness, auspiciousness, welfare, blessedness, prosperity, splendor, exalted, elevated, supreme, noble, and of great power. He is shriveled, fleshless, his bones covered with skin, making a rattling sound as he walks. He walks and stands by the power of the soul alone, speaks with difficulty, and is about to speak].