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caused by him, even if the alternate route was longer. A layman should also keep this in mind and should be careful while walking. Sädhus do not wear shoes so that there is less injury to the organism on the ground. Bhäshä Samiti:
Bhäshä Samiti (Careful speech) means one should limit or completely avoid speaking anything, which may provoke violence, flattery, condemnation, gossip, etc., or use words that may cause harm to others. One should not inflict pain by using words that are filthy or abusive. One should also limit or deter uttering unpleasant and thoughtless ideas. One's words or speech must be kind and gentle. If anyone has confessed to a Sädhu about his wrong activities or sins, then the Sädhu must not speak about this to others. This Samiti also reminds us that one must not frighten anyone by speech or words, make a mockery of anyone, or preach a false doctrine. If one cannot speak well of others, it is better to be quiet.
Eshana Samiti:
Eshana Samiti (Careful about taking food): With the concept of nonviolence in mind caution must be exercised about all matters relating to food. Sädhus should go for alms to various houses and should take a small portion of allowable food from each place so that the layman, from whom the food is taken, does not have to cook again. In addition, Sädhus should not take any raw vegetables, raw seeds or any food, which has been immediately taken from a stove, oven, or even a refrigerator. A Sadhu should not go for alms if it is raining and should not accept any food brought to him. There are forty-two faults, which Sädhus must avoid while accepting alms. Some Sädhus and sädhvis take food once a day from one house only. A layman should also refrain from committing a sin in the offering of food to Sädhus. All intoxicated and forbidden foods are not to be taken by either Sädhus or laymen. Ädäna-bhand-matta Nikshepanä Samiti: Ädäna-bhand-matta Nikshepanä Samiti (Careful about handling articles of religious and daily use) A Sädhu should take the utmost care before using clothes (not applied to Sädhus who do not use clothes), to make sure that there are no insects in the folds, which may be crushed, hurt, or killed. Care must be taken before taking and putting away vessels, books, sitting down, etc. Laymen should also take similar precautions in their daily life. Pärishthä-panikä (Utsarga) Samiti (Careful about disposal of excreta): One should be very careful about how, and where one disposes of trash, refuse, or excretions so that no harm is done to even minute insects or bugs. One must never keep either food or water overnight, but must rather dispose it off carefully as mentioned above. Gupti (Restraints): Restriction of non-virtuous activities of mind, speech and body, and to engage in virtuous activities is called Gupti, which is an important aspect of Samvar. Since there are three types of Yoga, there are also three types of Gupti:
To retire from sinful activities of body and to engage in virtuous activities of body is called Kaya Gupti To retire from sinful activities of speech and to engage in virtuous activities of speech is called
Vachan Gupti • To retire from sinful activities of mind and to engage in virtuous activities of mind is called Mano
Gupti. What is the difference between a Gupti and a Samiti? In Gupti, the aspect of refraining is more dominant while in Samiti; the aspect of vigilant undertaking is more dominant.
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