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THE TRUTH
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equipped with (knowledge, spiritual experience and ascetic discipline should constantly subdue (his mind and senses).
४२. दुरणुचरो मग्गो वीराणं अणियट्टगामीणं । 42. Duranucaro maggo viranaṁ aniyattagāminań. 42. The path of the heroic mumis who tread the road of
life-long asceticism is difficult.
ANNOTATION 42. Asceticism as prescribed by Bhagavān Mahavira is to be observed for the whole life. The perpetual renunciation of attractive objects is not a bed of roses. That is why, it has been called "durasucara' (i.e. an uphill task).
४३. विगिच मंस-सोणियं। 43. Vigińca maṁsa -soniyam. 43. Abandon (amassing) flesh and blood (i.e. physical
vigour).
ANNOTATION 43. One of the causes of engendering the sex impulses is amassing physical vigour (flesh and blood). Hence, a muni should refrain from this. But the question here arises: Why should he do so? Why should he not build up muscular strength which is necessary for a healthy body which, in its turn, is essential for practising religion ? Then why should it be deliberately weakened?
The answer is attenuation of physical vigour, however, does not imply extreme emaciation, but, in reality, it means controlling the physical strength to such an extent that it does not stimulate sensuality.
Dieting (avoiding rich articles of food) does not produce excess of blood which in its turn, does not allow accumulation of flesh, fat, bone, marrow, and semen respectively in the body. Dieting, therefore, automatically constitutes the sadhanā of mortification of flesh (vide, aphorism 40).
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