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quest of appetite (taste) was an important item in his programme. If in the course of his begging mission he came across a pigeon or any other bird picking grains, he would not scare them in any way but retraced his steps and went back. If at the house of a donor he came across a brah
mana, a dramaņa, a beggar, a guest, an untouchable, a cat or a dog standing in expectation of food, he did not distrub. them but silently left the place. In this manner, he carefully avoided all occasions that would rouse anger or jealousy
in others.
Exceptionally thrilling is the account of his indifference to his own person. He never used medicine even when he was unwell. He never used purgatives, massage, etc., nor did he take bath or clean his teeth. He never desired his feet to be pressed for the sake of comfort. If any particle of dust fell into his eye, he did not care to remove it, nor did he rub his eye in order to be relieved of it. He did not itch his skin at any time.
Mahavira did not enjoy a sleep. (It is believed that in the long period of his career as a monk, only once did he sleep for a muhurta which is equal to 48 minutes). He kept awake all the time, immersed in mediation or kayotsarga practice.
While living in homes, he was never attracted by music, dancing or drama. He was neither interested to witness duels nor to watch wrestling. He was never attracted by the lusty words of women, or love-making by a young married couple. Unholding his supreme detachment, he remained indifferent to objects of senses.
While in meditation, he sat in various postures, such as utkatuka, godohika, virasana and others. In winter, he practised meditation in some cool place, but in summer, he sat in utkaṭuka or some other posture wholly exposed to the scorching sun. On many occasions, when he halted in some home, many beautiful women felt attracted by his graceful personality, but he did not care to look at them. He was wholly turned inward (and did not care for external things). He did not establish any (friendly) relation with the householders. While in meditation, he did not give reply to any query. He spoke little, and was very much
