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Ch. VI]
TRANSLATION
[ 83
breach of Samyama, never indulge in sexual intercourse, which is terrible in consequences, which is a grave fault, and which is disastrous to resort to. (16). It is the root of irreligion attended with gross faults; hence it is, that monks, who are free from worldly ties, always avoid any thing connected with sexual intercourse. (17). The monks, devoted to the preaching of the Son of the Jñāta clan (Mahāvīra), do not keep overnight in their possession heated purfied ‘salt, ordinary salt, oil, ghee or brown sugar; the thought of possession is a result of avarice; methinks, one desirous of possessing these or any other thing is a householder and not a monk. (19). Whatever thing they possess such as a garment or a pot or a blanket or a duster they possess it for the preservation of self-restraint or out of a sense of shame; they keep it without any attachment. (20). “Simple possess ion is not called possession by the saviour Mahāvira; it is attachment that is called possession " so says the great gage (21). Although at places and on occasions the wise monks possess a thing, it is kept by them for the preservation of self-restraint; they do not have any attachment to it; they do not have attachment even to their own body. (22). Oh wonder! Leading a life consistent with self-restraint, and dining only once,—these two-have been described as an obligatory penance by the enlightened prophet. (23).
There are so many subtle living organisms movable as well as immovable ; how can a person move for alms in a faultless manner when he cannot see these subtle organisms? (24). A monk can avoid by day-time what is wet with water, or mixed with seeds, or the various insects that move on earth; but, how can he move, faultlessly at night? (25). Having observed these faults it has been said by Mahāvīra that the monks, who are free from worldly ties, do not take at night food of any of the four kinds. (26). The self-restrained and ever-satisfied monks
