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established in the state of equanimity. Only such living beings are energetic and vigilant. Even if they, by chance, fall from the state of equanimity due to the sway of previous impressions or due to the influence of bad company, they being possessed of vigilance regain the former state of equanimity by the performance of pratikrumaņa; sometimes they progress even far beyond the former state. Concentration is the key to the development of spiritual life. So, the introvert living beings perform küyotsarga every now and then. Through it they purify their mind and become one with the nature of soul.
Thus the analysis of the lofty and natural life of the spiritual persons provides us the basis of the order of performance of six essential lāvuśyaka) acts. We cannot praise (stuti) the 24 Tirtharkaras with true devotional servour so long as we do not attain the state of equanimity (sāmāyika) because those who themselves have not attained the state of equanimity cannot know the good qualities of the great saintly persons sirmly established in the state of equanimity. This is the reason why cuturvimśatistava comes after sārāyika in the order. One who has rightfully and devotionally praised 24 Tirtharikaras can offer salutation to the spiritual teacher, because how can he who is not pleased with the good qualities of 24 Tīrthankarus and hence has not praised them, salute with mind full of respect the spiritual teacher preaching the Path propounded by the Tūrtharkaras?
Therefore, vandana comes after caturvirsutiśtavu in the order of mention and performance. The reason of placing pratik rum after vundana is the fact that confession is necessarily to be made before a spiritual teacher. And those who do not salute the spiritual teacher are not qualified to make confession before him. Confession not preceded by salutation to the spiritual teacher is confession in name only. By such confession nothing is achieved. The mental disposition of the person qualified for making true confession is so humble and modest that by it he automatically offers salutation to the spiritual teacher. Capability for kāyotsarga is generated in
