Sramana 1996 10

SR No.: 525028
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ashok Kumar Singh
Publisher: Parshvanath Vidhyashram Varanasi
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 128
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Sramana, & India
File Size: 6 MB

Page 95

९० :
श्रमण/अक्टूबर-दिसम्बर/१९९६
Lord Mahāvīra took only Prāsuka and Niravadya food i.e. food that is not cooked for him and is given to him totally in a non-violent way. Irrespective of the caste and creed of the people who offered him food, he accepted the food that is acceptable by a Jaina monk. While searching for food he was careful not to harm or obstruct the livelihood of other hermits, sramaņas, guests, beggars and even animals. He took care not to cause fear and unpleasantness to other living beings and treaded carefully on the chosen path. He never satisfied his hunger at the cost of others.
While walking, he was careful not to tread upon and harm the water, earth, fire, air, bodied souls and other creatures. He knew them to be living i.e. having life and so was ever vigilant. Through out his life, he was compassionate and looked upon his own self and never indulged in any kind of violence to other creatures.
The kind of fasting that Lord Mahāvīra undertook was marvellous. Once He took only dry and tasteless food for eight consecutive months and consumed very little water during that time.
"आयावई य गिम्हाणं अच्छति उक्कुडए अभिवाते । अदु जावइत्थ लूहेणं ओयणमंथु - कुम्मासेणं ।।"
37TORTUI 88/8/81 i.e. During the summer season Lord Mahāvīra exposed his body to the sun and sometimes sat in the Ukudu Āsana i.e. posture of sitting on the arms with the soles of the feet touching the ground and facing the sun. Most of the time he ate dry food only to satisfy his hunger.
When one takes tasteless food and little water, the taijasa body becomes strong and the person becomes energetic than before. On the contrary when one takes tasty food and drinks plenty of water, his strength and valour remain on the decline. Owing to the above facts Lord Mahāvīra must have accepted dry and tasteless food so that his spiritual energy remained intact.