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Jaina Acāra : Siddhanta aura Svarūpa
and no space in the universe. The non-existence should be turned into existence. He practised penance which produced smoke. The second time appeared a divine light. The third time a flame manifested itself which spread all around. Then was bom the ocean and the creation came into being.
The sages have eulogised penance and chastity which ensure name and fame. The gods have won victory over death by dint of penance and celibacy. All the constituents of religion, like righteousness, truth, penance, scriptural learning, peace,liberality and the like constitute the right austerity. Self is realisable through them. There are seven gates to heaven, the first and foremost of which is penance. Religion has developed with penance posited in the centre. There is nothing that is not within the reach of penance.
To begin with, penance purifies the body. It sets right blood circulation in the body. When the digestive system is disturbed, many diseases like constipation and acidity cause trouble. Penance throws away the accumulated filth from the stomach. With no fresh entry of any foreign matter the system is set right. Asvinīkumāra, physician of the gods, in the guise of an ascetic, approached Vāgabhata and said to him, "Please tell me the panacea which grows not on the earth, mountain or ocean." He took some time to think over it and then said authoritatively that it was going without meals.
Thus from the Ayurvedika standpoint also fasting is very beneficial. Naturopathy has no faith in medicines. Nature alone, it says, is the cure of all ills. Dr. Saranaprasada, a reputed naturopath says, " A patient, while fasting, should be given nothing but light and sweet water. If water be heavy it should be boiled. It may be given tepid or cooled. Water mixed with lemon or orange juice is not the ideal one since instead of fasting, it is taking a liquid diet in the form of juice. No betel-leaf, betel-nut, clove or aniseaniseed should be used. Tobacco and other forms of smoking are, of course, prohibited altogether. These things make fasting worthless and a mere show."
Earlier lemon and honey were given but researches have proved that they should be avoided. Nothing but tepid water should be given to a fasting person. Fasting is advisable for fever, pain or indigestion. It reduces white bloodcells and increases red ones. The excess of sugar is nullified. The kidney expels the filth through urine. When the inside is clean, the report of urine is NAD. Acidity, too, is brought under control. Many people, while fasting, complain of headache, vomiting and restlessness but it should not be construed as aggravation of the disease. It is really the starting point of recovering health.
One day's overeating means extra labour for intestines. The digestive machinery needs respite now and then. There is no better way of Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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