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primary schedule of time is—"after getting up in the morning and completing the daily essential chores, the first quarter of the day should be devoted to self-study. The next one should be devoted to meditation. During the third quarter one should go out to seek alms."
Therefore, the term 'time to seek alms' should be taken as the third quarter of the day. This coincides with the end of the normal time of lunch of householders.
The learned acharyas say that generally the time to seek alms depends on the conditions prevailing during a particular period at a particular place. Ascetics go for alms at about the conventional time for meals in a particular area. Going before or after beco an untimely activity, which also is prohibited. Thus the time of begging alms is related to the prevailing situation in a given area. (Dashavaikalik Sutra by Acharya Shri Atmaram ji M., page 143)
Asambhanto-Absence of any eagerness while going to seek alms. 'I am late, I might not get food or others might have collected all that was available.' Such apprehensions might give rise to eagerness and anxiety, and in turn to carelessness. Therefore, one should go after composing oneself.
Amucchio-Absence of fondness, desire and craving for a thing. To have a desire for some particular or tasty food is fondness. Getting involved in some other attraction during the seeking of alms is also proscribed. An example is mentioned to clarify this feeling —
A well dressed and adorned, beautiful bride is giving fodder and water to a calf. It munches all this, ignoring the enchanting beauty, attractive dress, glittering ornaments, intoxicating fragrance and caressing touch. In the same way when an ascetic is conscious of his search for the proper food without being attracted towards the beauty, grandeur, wealth and the richness of the food, the state of his mind is called ammorcha-bhav. (Jinadas Churni, page 167) (illustration No. 10/a)
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श्री दशवैकालिक सू, Shri Dashavaikalik Sutra
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