Jain Journal 1973 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 22

JANUARY, 1973
115
In the first month, fast on alternate days, i.e., fast missing four meals, (then break and fast again missing four meals), sitting during the day-time on exposed ground in utkațuka posture with face turned towards the sun, and bearing the cold blast at night, wholly unclad and sitted in vīrāsana posture.
During the second month, a two-day fast, missing six meals, (followed by a break and missing six meals again), and so on, sitting during the days on exposed ground in the utkațuka posture with face turned towards the sun, and bearing the cold blast during the nights, wholly unclad and sitted in vīrāsana.
With other conditions as aforesaid, in the third month, (three-day fasts) missing eight meals, in the fourth month, (four-day fasts) missing ten meals, in the fifth month, (five-day fasts) missing twelve meals, in the sixth month, (six-day fasts) missing fourteen meals, in the seventh month, (seven-day fasts) misssing sixteen meals, in the eighth month, (eight-day fasts) missing eighteen meals, in the nineth month, (nine-day fasts) missing twenty meals, in the tenth month, (ten-day fasts) missing twenty two meals, in the eleventh month, (eleven-day fasts) missing twenty four meals, in the twelfth month, (twelve-day fasts) missing twenty six meals, in the thirteenth month, (thirteen-day fasts) missing twenty eight meals, in the fourteenth month; (fourteen-day fasts) missing thirty meals, in the fifteenth month, (fifteen-day fasts) missing thirty two meals, in the sixteenth month, (sixteen-day fasts) missing thirty four meals (and during all these months, as aforesaid), sitting during the days on bare ground in utkațuka posture, with face turned towards the sun, and bearing the cold blast during the nights, wholly unclad and sitted in vīrāsana.
In this manner, monk Skandaka performed the penance as per the Sütras, as per prescriptions, ... till adored it, and thereafter came to the place where Sramana Bhagavan Mahavira was, and having come there, he paid his homage and obeisance to Sramana Bhagavan Mahavira, and having paid his homage and obeisance, he continued to progress (on the spiritual path) by undertaking fasts for two, three, four, five days, for a month (at a time), for a fortnight, and in many other ways.
Now, monk Skandaka, because of that (severe) penance which was attachment-free, enormous, permitted (by the Master), and performed without lapse, performed with great devotion and sincerity, which portended to welfare, safety, well-being, bliss and beauty, which was greatly difficult and progressively increasing (in intensity), which was great, good, expansive and with great effect, became very emaciated, without