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Nirjara is the result of the observance of austerities which purifies the self and leads to divinity. Austerities are of two types -- external and internal austerities
External Austerities are243 :
i) Anashana -- For a limited period of time or till death to give up all sort of food is called anashana (fasting meditation). it is intended to promote self control.
ii) Unodari (Avamaudarya) - It consists in eating less than one's fill or less than one has appetite for.
iii) Vritti parisamkhyana -- Aspirant takes a mental vow to accept food from a householder only if certain condition is fulfilled, without letting any one know about the vow (vrata).
iv) Rasa-parityaga - It is giving up the delicious food, Ghee etc.
v) Vivikta-shayyasana --- It consists in living in a lonely place, devoid of animate beings.
vi) Kaya-klesha — When an aspirant places body under the stress through cold or heat, through adopting different postures, he is practising mortification of body.
Internal Austerities are244 :
i). Prayashchitta -- It is expiation, the process of purifying the defects born of negligence in observance of the vows.
ii) Vinaya ---- Vinaya is to hold great regards or reverence to virtuous qualification.
iii) Vaiyavritya - It consists in rendering service, physically, to the saints, needy people, etc.
iv) Svadhyaya ---- Continuous contemplation of knowledge is self-study (svadhyaya).
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THE CONCEPT OF DIVINITY IN JAINISM
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