Agam 08 Ang 08 Antkrutdashang Sutra Sthanakvasi

Author(s): Amarmuni, Shreechand Surana, Rajkumar Jain, Purushottamsingh Sardar
Publisher: Padma Prakashan

Page 459

Based on physical and mental parameters there are many sub-types of these Unodari Tap mentioned in the Agams. 3. Bhiksha charya (Alms Collecting)
This Tap is for sadhus (shramans) and sadhvis (shramanis) because all their needs are met through begging. They bring food, garbs and all other essential things by begging from religious citizens.
This Tap is also called Madhukari or Bhramuri (bumble-bee-like) activity or Gochari (collecting from different spots like a cow). The idea behind this is that as a bumble-bee sucks only the extra pollen from numerous flowers without causing any damage, likewise Shramans and Shramanis also meet their needs by collecting small quantities of food from
rous horises. Also, a cow does not pluck out grass from its roots; it only grazes the top portion of grass. Ascetics have the same attitude. An ascetic meets his or her need without causing any inconvenience to a householder.
Numerous types of alms collecting and rules have been detailed in Agams.
For householders a parallel type of Tap has been defined. It is called limiting or reducing needs.
A householder observing this Tap limits or reduces the indulgences of mind, speech, and body as well as passions. 4. Ras-Parityag (Abandoning Tasty Food)
This Tap is the practice of controlling one's taste buds. Bhagavan Mahavir has divided it into two parts-(1) Total abstinence from accepting tasty food, and (2) Not to crave for a tasty food that is not available.
In this Tap the proscribed eatables are-milk, curd, oil, butter, jaggery, sweets etc. They are avoided as far as possible. The seeker (ascetic) refrains from enjoying their taste, they also discipline their desire for such food. 5. Kayaklesh (Hardships of the Body)
Hardship of the body does not mean causing discomfort or pain to the body aimlessly. It is to discipline the body with the help of various postures. The purpose of this Tap is that the body becomes so disciplined that it may remain in one posture for a long time. This is practiced in order to help remain in one posture during meditation without any disturbance from the body. Any discomfort in a posture causes distraction in meditation.
In this Tap, body is disciplined by practicing various yogic postures like lotus, halflotus, brave and others. With this, the frequency and period of breathing is also controlled and regulated. This process is called pranayam and it helps reducing wandering of mind by stabilizing it.
Therefore the importance of this Tap lies in its being the instrument of perfecting the stability of the body and mind prior to indulging in meditation.
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Antakriddasha Mahima