Sadhna of Mahavira as Depicted in Upadhan Sruta

SR No.: 250284
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ashok Kumar Singh
Publisher: Z_Yatindrasuri_Diksha_Shatabdi_Smarak_Granth_012036.pdf
Publication Year: 1999
Total Pages: 5
Language: English
Classification: Article & Tirthankar
File Size: 719 KB

Page 4

Endurance of severe cold, snow-fall and scorching heat
-YATEENDRASURI SMARAK GRANTH
At the time of initiation, Mahavira had put only one robe and resolved that he would not cover himself with this robe in winter.24 Accordingly even in the case of severe cold and in snowfall, Mahavira would not even think of seeking windless abode or clothes to warp up himself with. In cold he would stand under the shed. When the night grew colder, he would come outside in the cold under the open sky and go back to the shed, alternately, conformity with right conduct. In servere cold, he would boldly walk with his hands outspreat and would not try to avoid cold by folding arm to his shoulders.25 in summer he would sit in scorching sun.
Abandonment of Medication
Mahavira would not approve medication for himself. Though he was free from internal diseses yet he would occasionally be afflicted by the externali.e. injuries caused by accidents, etc. in the form of attacks by human-beings and animals or other beings. To illustrate his indifference in extreme form towords medication, the instance of cow-boy driving a wooden-nail into his ears, is given in Jaina Literature. A physician 'Kharaka' had to take it out and dress his wound. The moot point, here, is that mahavira never wished any one to do any thing to him.
Soon after initiation into ascetic life, Mahavira had vowed to lead a life of self-abnegation by abandoning all bodily care. "In accordance with that he abandoned all sorts of purgatives, emetics, unguents, bathing.shampooing or massaging or even cleaning of the teeth,
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Alongwith contrui of diet and control of senses, control of sleep constituted the main feature of his sadhana. In accordance with his preaching 'Munino saya jagaranti'27 that is wise are alwayas awake' he would not seek sleep for the sake of pleasure and comfort. On feeling drowsy he would stand up and keep himself side awake.
After long spells of sleepessness, for the upkeep and maintenance of body, he would have only a nap. After only a moment's sleep, he would be awake again and would sit in meditation with full internal watchfulness. When, sometimes, sleep tormented him too much at night, he would come out of the resting place and stroll for a about a muhurta or so. According to Acaranga Curni, during the entire period of 12. years of his sadhana, he slept only for one Muhurta at Asthikagrama, during which he dreamed of ten dreams. According to Acaranga, dueto disturbance created by demi-god while in kayotsarga Mahavira lost alertness and slept for a muhurta.
Places of Residences
Though Mahavira would choose a secluded place31 for meditation yet he lived in all sorts of places, such as work-houses (like potter's lodge. etc.), assembly houses, shops, manufactories of under a shed of straw32. He sometimes used to stay in inns, in villages and towns, sometime in cremation grounds, in deserted houses or under the trees. What is noteworthy, is that he used to live cheerfully in these diverse lodgess and his practice of meditation remained unobstructed.
Abandonment of vitiated food, tasty food and practice of fasting and dietary control
Mahavira always refused such food as prepared for the monks. He was devoid of any ardent longing for delicacies. He would not care whether or not his meal included cooked savoury, vegetables, whether he got cold rice, or stale bean soup, whether his meals consisted of vapid stuff like powerder of gram or only grams, whether or not he got any food at all. He did not even think of any particular kind of food. Fully aware of the sinfulness, vitiating the alms that he received; he would never accept vitiated food.
As control of diet and fasting was significant part of his sadhana, he would take meals after eiGintama [ 22 ]améra