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ĀYARO
392
(He had no bowls of his own), nor did he use another's for the purpose of eating in them.
He did not go for alms to any such feast which could not feed people beyond the numbers of invitees.
He did not even think of delicious food.
ANNOTATION 19. According to the author of Cūrni, Bhagavān Mahāvira had only one robe on at the time of initiation, which he had abandoned after thirteen months. He never used any other robe ever since.
When he broke the fast just after initiation into asceticism, the Bhagavān took his meals in a utensil owned by a householder. Later he became a pānipătra (i. e. one who uses the palms of his hand as utensils), and never used the utensils of anyone for taking his meals.
Once when the Bhagavān was sojourning in a weaver's workshop at Nalandā, his only disciple called Gośälaka asked him, "Shall I bring some food for you?" The Bhagawan said, "No", in the belief that his disciple would get food for him in a householder's utensil.
After he achieved ominiscience the Bhagavān became a Tirthankara. Lohárya, one of his disciples, used to procure food for him from householders. But the Bhagavān would take it on his palms and then eat it. The description alluded to here refers to the period of sādhana. Therefore, the incident of procurement of food by Lohārya is not purported here.
२०. मायण्णे असण-पाणस्स, णाणुगिद्धे रसेसु अपडिण्णे।
अच्छिपि णो पमज्जिया, णोवि य कंडूयये मुणी गायं ॥ 20. Mayanne asaņa-pānassa, ņāņugiddhe rasesu apadiņne. Acchimpi ņo pamajjiyā, novi ya kamduyaye muņi gā
yam.. 20. Bhagavän Mahavira knew what quantity he should eat
and drink. He was devoid of any ardent longing for delicacies. He did not even think of any particular kind of food. He did not even wipe his eyes. Nor did he scratch his body when he had an itching.
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