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Jaina Acara : Siddhanta aura Svarūpa
both external and internal purification. Only then their devotion becomes lustrous. Gold, in order to be purified, has first to be heated and then polished. The heating of gold is external penance and the polish is internal lustre. What cannot attenuate passions in no penance. Emaciation of the body with unreasoned devotion is nonsense. If butter has to be clarified by separating buttermilk or other dirt, it has to be poured into some pot for heating. The pot is external penance and the unadulterated ghee is internal penance. Both have their own importance and the good lies in their willing co-operation.
The Digambaras also say that taking or not taking food both are meant to purify the soul, separating it from all dross.
Jainism says that if the mind is uncertain, if it be assailed by doubts, it is better to abstain from penance itself. Penances are fruitful only when the mind is not distracted, when the body is not needlessly emaciated and when the pull of binding karma is loosened. One should be away from inauspicious thinking and there should be no obstruction to daily penance.
There are six kinds of external penances. We shall take them one by one :(1) Fasting--It is to give up all four kinds of food. It holds the first
place in the list of penances. It is very difficult indeed to conquer hunger and mind. It purifies both body and mind. Mahātmā Gandhi said that it cures bodily ills and boosts morale. Maitrāyani Aranyaka tells us how very difficult it is to go without food. This is a kind of firebath which burns all passions. Only he who is not attached to the body, not even to life can practise penances. Penances are not for physical welfare which incidentally may be their outcome but are always aimed at spiritual rise. Lord Mahavira said in its praise, "One day's fast can extirpate more karmas than a hellish being can even after undergoing suffering for thousands of years.”
Two days fasting can extirpate karmas which a hellish being cannot for lacs of years. Three days fasting can extirpate karmas which the latter cannot in crores of years.
Fasting means renunciation not only of food but also of passions and carnal desires. Chastity, self-study and contemplation of the self must accompany fasting. To speak harshly or to slight or find fault with others are prohibited. Dharmadasagani writes, " If one, while fasting, speaks harsh words to others, he destroys the fruit of his one day's penance. If he censures somebody, insults him or reveals others' secrets, ruins the fruit of a month's penance. If he curses somebody he destroys the good of one whole year's penance. Penance as fasting is of two kinds : (1) Itvārika - to give up food for a specified period on the expiry of which there persists a desire to
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