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(5) Kayaklesh
(6) Samlinta
(B) Six Internal :
(1) Prayaschit
(2) Vinaya
(3) Vaiavachya
(4) Sajzaya
(5) Dhyan (6) Kayotsarga
:
Mortification of the body. To develop more capacity for physical tolerance, remaining undisturbed in mind.
To learn to restain the movements of the limbs of the body.
: Repentance of sin by confessing them openly.
: To show great respect to Guru and elders.
: Serving the Guru and elders, attending to their needs.
: Religious study of five kinds.
: Meditation on God or contemplation of Self.
Jain Education International
: To disociate mind from the body, foculassing it on contemplation for a certain duration.
Twelve types of penance are advised for destroying sins, Even the grave sins or very firm bonds of evil karmas are destroyed by penance. It's potential for Self purification can be glimpsed from the fact that Lord practised severe penance for 12 years. During this long period, He accepted food only 3.5 days. He observed Chauvihar fasts-fasts in which not even a drop of water is taken. Besides, He observed unbroken silence. He never sat on the ground to rest with legs folded on each other; He always used to be in the posture of standing precariously. (Cow-milking posture).
Draddhaprahari who commited four murders and was certain to go to hell, rose to a good existence (gati) by practising penance.
Chandkaushik-serpent, who would have surely gone to the 4th hell, went to Devlok instead, by doing penance on receiving grace from Lord Mahavir.
Chilatiputra, Dhanddhan Muni and many others-all of them got liberation by destroying their Karmas by practising penance.
We should draw inspiration from those who practise severe penance, even in the present times. We should learn to practise penance according to our capacity to destroy bonds of karma. It is a great redeeming force, originating from soul that removes poverty, troubles and miseries and bring in abundance and happiness and leads us to ultimate favour-the liberation.
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