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THE JAINA GAZETTE duties of the order. The taking of food is to him, the performance of a duty, not the gratification of a sense desire. The body is useful as an instrument for the development and purification of the soul. The body must, therefore, be sustained by giving it the necessary nourishment. He does not relish his food. He takes food lo avoid a suicide, a premature disintegration of the physical ingredients composing the body. He eats to live. and does not live to eat.
The person who helps him to purge his soul. by offering physical nourishment to his body, attains the good result of having done a good act. He must therefore perform it in the reverential spirit of service done, not in the haughty attitude of one conferring a favour. The householder, who thus offers food to a Sadhu out of devotion and reverence must, therefore observe nine points indicating and accompanying true devotion. He must (1) welcome and receive the Sadhu respectfully. He must (2) offer him a high place of honor. Of course a Sadhu would not touch any seat, far less use it. He takes his meal standing, with both hands, not in any utensil of any sort. He must (3) wash the feet of the Sadhu. He must (4) perform a formal worship. as laid down in the scriptures, by reciting sacred texts and making eight kinds ofoffer. ings. He must (5) make a low obeisance. He must (6) all the while be thinking reverentially. He must (7) speak respectfully, He must (8) behave respectfully. He must (9) offer a clean, pure, food, cooked with all possible care and thoughfulness. These 9 conditions of body, mind, and speech are not to be forced upon oneself. They must come automatically,
LIFE OF LORD MAHAVIRA.
BY Harisatya Bhattacharyya, M.A., B.L.,
Price Annas 3. Four annas postage stamps will bring a copy to
your door. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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