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gated by Śramana Bhagavan Mahavira I will therefore, entrust all this burden to my eldest son, and having gone, with his permission, to the Pausadhasala (a building specially meant for religious practices such as Scriptural reading and teaching, meditation etc) located near the dwelling houses of jñāta kṣatriyas in Kollāka Sannivesa, I will live there and strictly observe the religious precepts of the Tirthankara." Ananda Śrāvaka immediately put the idea into action. He went to the Pausadhasâlā and lived there. He then practised the following eleven pratimas (Stages of spiritual Advancement) of a house-holder :
Stages of Spiritual Development for house-holders
1. Darsana Pratima-Strict observance of Samyaktva for one month without the slightest atıcâra (transgression ).
2. Vrata Pratima-Strict observance of the aņuvrats (minor vows) taken by oneself, for two months.
3. Sāmāyıka Pratima-Practice of sāmāyika vrata without the slightest transgression for three months.
4. Pausadha Pratima-Strict observance of Pauṣadha (religious ceremonies which nourish the spiritual development of the Soul) on the 8th, 14th, 15th and 30th day of the month for four months
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5. Kayotsarga Pratima. For five months, he should meditate on the virtuous aspects of Jinéśvaras. He should not have bath and should not take his meals after Sunset. He should observe perfect celibacy and he should have a critical retrospection of his own faults.
6. Abrahma-varjana Pratima-For six months, he should abstain from a dress suited for amorous intercourse. He should avoid frequent association with females. He should avoid sexual intercourse.
7. Sacita-āhāra-varjana Pratima-For seven months, he should abstain from taking living food and drink-materials.
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