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the body in any of the three postures-nipanna (lying down), nishanna (sitting), or urdhva (standing erect). One has to remain throughout in the posture in which he starts this practice.
In Bhagavati Sutra there is a mention of two types of padapopagaman fast-nirharim and anirharim. When the fast is done in a village or other inhabited area it is nirharim. This means that the body is cremated after death. When it is done in jungle or outside an inhabited area it is anirharim. This means that the body is not to be cremated after death. As a rule this fast is absolutely irreversible. Once commenced an aspirant has to be still and immobile like a tree (padap). This is also called prayopagaman.
In the Digambar tradition we find prayogyagaman instead of prayopagaman and padopagaman instead of padapopagaman. The constitution and structure of the body required to end rebirth is called prayogya. To attain prayogya is prayogyagaman. The death accepted by walking to a suitable place is called padopagaman (moving on feet). In this practice any care by self or other is. prohibited.
An ascetic doing this practice achieves superlative cleansing (shedding karmas). There are chances that gods may appear and offer divine pleasures in order to test the resolve and stability of the practicing ascetic and to entice him into abandoning the practice. Therefore, the advise is not to believe in divine illusions. The censure of greed of desires or wishful thinking also indicates that while doing this practice one should not wish to be rewarded with mundane pleasures in the next birth. The term dhruva varna means one whose glory and fame is everlasting; here it has been used for liberation and discipline.
END OF LESSON EIGHT
• VIMOKSHA : END OF EIGHTH CHAPTER •
8
आचारांग सूत्र
( 847)
Illustrated Acharanga Sutra
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