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Standing
Sitting
He performs Kayotsarga while sitting. From the perspective of the body, he is sitting, and from the perspective of the mind, he is not awake. His mind is entangled in worldly desires or attachment and aversion. Both his body and mind are still. Of these four types of Kayotsarga, the first and third types are the true Kayotsarga. Through these Kayotsargas, the practitioner can attain the great goal of practice.
From the perspective of physical posture and mental thought process, Acharya Bhadrabahu has described nine types of Kayotsarga in the Aavashyakaniyukti -
Physical Posture
Mental Thought Process
Standing
Dharma-Shukla Dhyana 2. Utsrita
Standing
Neither Dharma-Shukla nor Aarta-Roudra, but a state of thoughtlessness 3. Utsrita-Nishanna
Sitting
Aarta-Roudra Dhyana 4. Nishanna-Utsrita
Sitting
Dharma-Shukla Dhyana
Neither Dharma-Shukla Dhyana nor Aarta-Roudra, but a state of thoughtlessness 6. Nishanna-Nishanna
Lying Down
Aarta-Roudra Dhyana 7. Nishanna-Utsrita
Lying Down
Dharma-Shukla Dhyana
Neither Dharma-Shukla nor Aarta-Roudra, but a state of thoughtlessness 9. Nishanna-Nishanna
Kayotsarga can be performed in all three postures: standing, sitting, and lying down. The method of performing Kayotsarga in the standing posture is as follows: Let both hands hang towards the knees, keep the feet in a straight line, the heels should touch, and there should be a gap of four fingers between the toes of both feet. The one performing Kayotsarga in the sitting posture should sit in Padmasana or Sukhasana. Keep the hands either on the knees or place the right hand on the left palm and keep them on the lap. The one performing Kayotsarga in the lying down posture should first stretch and then stabilize the limbs from head to toe. Do not keep the hands and feet close together. In all of these, it is essential that the limbs are stable and relaxed.
There has been a special tradition of performing Kayotsarga while standing. Because the Tirthankaras often perform Kayotsarga in this posture. Acharya Aparajit has written that the practitioner performing Kayotsarga should become inactive from the body and stand like a pillar. Extend both arms towards the knees. Become absorbed in profound meditation. Do not stand with the body completely stiff, nor should it be bent. He should stand in Samamudra. In Kayotsarga, bear the hardships and trials with equanimity. Kayotsarga
Lying Down
1. Aavashyakaniyukti, Gatha 1459-60 2. Yogashastra 3, Patra 250
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