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APAPALOPXLOYALOMLYATOVALAVATOPALOPALOTAOLUNANUNUAALUM
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the purpose of securing discipline and helping study of scriptures. This is restraining or aapidan of the karmic body, and its duration is twenty four years; twelve for study of text, and twelve for absorbing meaning.
(2) The second stage is of teaching the disciples and junior ascetics and popularizing religion. In this stage he indulges in practices of higher ascetic discipline and observes prolonged austerities. This is subduing or prapidan of the karmic body, and its duration is twelve years.
(3) After this comes the third stage, that of abandoning the earthly body. When an ascetic has successfully concluded the practices leading to well being of the self as well as others and his body has become weak and emaciated, he starts preparing for a meditational death. During this period he indulges in extremely prolonged austerities, perfecting detachment from the body, high degree of sacrifice or renunciation, etc. This is crushing or nishpidan of the karmic body. Its duration is also twelve years.
In these three stages of ascetic practices outer and inner austerities, discerning between body and soul, and accordingly restraining, subduing and crushing the karmic body has been advised.
Acharya Shri Atmaram ji M. has also shown an inter-link between these three stages and the Gunasthan (levels of purity of soul). Aapidan is advised at fourth to seventh levels (Apoorvakaran, etc.), prapidan is advised at eighth and ninth level (Anivritti Badar, etc.), and nishpidan is advised at the tenth level (Sukshma Samparaya). In other words in Upasham-shreni (at levels connected with pacification of karmas) aapidan is advised, in Kshapak-shreni (at levels connected with destruction of karmas) prapidan is advised, and in Shaileshiavastha (in the rock-stable state) nishpidan is advised.
Vigimcha mans-soniya--this is the direction of toning down flesh and blood for the ascetic practicing celibacy. Excessive flesh सम्यक्त्व : चतुर्थ अध्ययन
( 733 )
Samyaktva : Forth Chapter
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