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AYARO
The dravya -samlekhanā lasts for twelve years. According to the Uttarādhyayana (36/25-255), the order in which food can be curtailed is as follows:
The first four years - Vikrti-parityāga ( i. e. abandonment of rich food) or ācamla i.e.eating only a single item of food). The next four years - Special penance such as fasting for a day, for two days for three days etc. and taking appropriate breakfast. The 9th and the 10th years Fasting on alternate days and acamla in breakfast.
The first half of the 11th year fasting for one day and two days. The second half of the 11th year - Severer penances such as fasting for three or four days or more days.
During the whole of the 11th year, the ācāmla in breakfast. In the first six months reduced diet on the day of ācāmia and a full diet on such occasions is permissible during the next six months of the 11th year.
During the 12th year - Acāmla coupled with another penance, i.e. either continuous acamla or acamla with another penance alternately.
At the end of the 12th year - Fasting for a fortnight or a whole month or Bhakta Pratyākhyāna, etc.
According to the Nišitha Cūrni,taking food is reduced in such a way that complete abandonment of food and death coincide. During the last four months of this year the mouth is kept oiled so that the speech-organs do not cease to function and there is no difficulty in reciting the Namaskāra - mantra etc. (Uttarajjhyanāņi, vol. II, notes, pp. 263-264). ४. जीवियं णाभिकखेज्जा, मरणं णोवि पत्थए । दुहतोवि ण सज्जेज्जा, जीविते मरणे तहा ।।
Jiviyam nābhikaṁkhejjā, maranam novi patthae. Duhatovi ņa sajjejjā, jivite marane tahā.. Enfeebled, he should neither crave for life, nor long for death. He should not get attached to either life or death.
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