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(4) We become steady in mind. Thoughts become pure. (5) Gradully we progress towards that state of soul that is
foodlessness (Anaharipad).
How to meditate on penance is laid down in Scriptures at the time of doing Raipratikraman in the morning (Refer to "Prabodh Tika" Book. 3 Page 780 published by Jain Shahitya Vikas Mandal, for further information).
N. B.: If meditation cannot be done, one may recite 16 Navkars instead.
Lord Mahavir observed the longest fast for six months. Hence, an upper limit for fasting that is laid down in the order of Lord Mahavir is of six months. The limit of fasting for six months is far beyond the physical enduracne of any one at present, to achieve.
Please contemplate on fasting as follows :
O Soul ! Would you be able to practise penance for six months? You may think that you have neither capacity nor the desire to do so. They you may think of the period of five months and 29 days, which being not possible to do, to think again of five months and 28 days and so on. In this way, the upper limit set, would be lowered till you reach five months. Similarly, think monthwise from five months to four months and further and continue to decrease this period till you reach one month. If you are neither able nor willing to do it, think of the period less than of a maskhaman, reducing it gradually to 17 days. Then thin renouncing 34 meals (34 Bhatta) i.e. observing 16 fasts-Chauth Bhatta means renouncing 4 meals Bhatta missing one meal by doing Ekasanu on a day prior to the day of the fast; two meals on the day of the fast and one meal on the day following the fast (doing Ekasanu). If it is not possible to renounce these 34 Bhatta then 32 Bhatta, should be thought of and so on till it is reduced to 4 Bhatta in the end, provided we have no capacity or a desire for doing more than that. One fast is called "Chauth Bhatta". If our health does not permit even one day's fasting, we should think of doing Ayambil Nivi, Ekasanu, Biyasanu, Avadha, Puri-Mudha, Sadh-Porsi, Porsi or Navkarsi, according to our ability and will.
Special Suggestions : One starts above process of thinking on fasts knowing that he has capacity to observe the fast as inherent potential of mind is very great but that the will to do so is missing and go on reducing the limit till we find a particular act which is
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