Sramana 1995 10

SR No.: 525024
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ashok Kumar Singh
Publisher: Parshvanath Vidhyashram Varanasi
Publication Year: 1995
Total Pages: 122
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Sramana, & India
File Size: 6 MB

Page 99

९५ श्रमण / अक्टूबर-दिसम्बर /१९९५
Endurance of Severe cold, Snow-fall and Scorching heat
At the time of initiation Mahavira had put only one robe and resolved that he would not cover himself even with this robe in winter24. Accordingly even in the case of severe cold and in snowfall, Mahavira would not even 'think of seeking windless abode or clothes to wrap up himself with. In cold he would stand under the shed. When the night grew colder, he would come outside in the open sky and go back to the shed, alternately. He endured the pangs of cold in perfect calmness and in conformity with right conduct. In severe cold, he would boldly walk with his hands outspread and would not try 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 diseases yet he would occasionally be afflicted by the external, i. e., injuries caused by accidents, etc. in the form of attacks by humanbeings and animals or other beings. To illustrate his indifference in extreme form towards 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 anything 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.
Alongwith control of diet and control of senses, control of sleep constituted the main feature of his Sadhana. In accordance with his preaching 'Munino saya Jägaranti", that is wise are always awake, he would not seek sleep for the sake of pleasure and comfort. On feeling drowsy he would stand up and keep himself vide awake. After long spells of sleeplessness, for the upkeep and maintenance of body, he would have only a nap.28 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 about a muhürta or so. According to Acaranga Curni29, during the entire span of 12.5 years of his Sadhana he slept only for one Muhurta at Asthikagrama during which he dreamt of ten dreams. According to Acaranga 30, due to disturbance created For Private & Personal Use Only