First Steps to Jainism Part 1

Author(s): Sancheti Asso Lal, Manakmal Bhandari
Publisher: Sancheti Trust Jodhpur

Page 87

penance which requires freedom from the four passions, anger, pride, deceit and greed. This will make for penance becoming Right Penance and a part of Right Conduct, which along with Right Vision and Right Knowledge leads towards salvation.
The Three Hallmarks 73
47. Penance has been divided into two categories-external (bahiya) and internal (abhyantar) each of which are further divided into six sub-divisions. The penance which primarily concerns the body is external and that which primarily concerns the mind is internal. The former is more apparent and visible to others than the latter. However, this division is not hard and fast as each of the two types supplements the other one being incomplete without the other. Both are aimed at purification of the soul and both must be supported by absence of passions and be accompanied by Right Vision and Right Knowledge.
48. The six sub-divisions of external (bahiya) penance are discussed below:
(i) Fasting (anshan)-Wilfully giving up all types of food or drink or both and desire therefor is fasting. It is a very difficult form of penance and when done without passion it purifies the body, the mind and the soul. It can be (a)for a fixed time (etvarik) or till death (yavatkalik). The first can be for a minimum period of 48 minutes (one muhart) and for a maximum of months in these times (according to pattern laid by Lord Mahaveer who fasted for six months). There are numerous types of fasts for fixed period like fasting for one day, two days, on alternate days and various combinations thereof. Fasting till death known as santhara is giving up the body wilfully, when the circumstances so require-briefly mentioned in previous chapter. This is the highest form of renunciation and penance whereby the performer facing death bravely, willingly discards the body like old clothes realizing that the soul and body are separate.
(ii) Reduced consumption (of food etc.)-or Unodari-This involves taking of food less than one's appetite. In broader scope it is applied to take minimum of equipment and clothes as also to minimise the four passions by deliberate effort. One may go without
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