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90 / MANAV DHARMA
and Stavikta developes in the human being by taking well cooked vegetables. This is the nature of the substance where there is no place for arguments. Again a doubt arises - whether the fruits, leaves and branches of a tree, when dried, become lifeless? The answer is-this is correct but it should be noted that dried grass leaves and branches, are generally eaten by the animals and here we are discussing about green vegetables which are eaten by human beings. Now take the case of cocumber (KAKRI). Ordinary householders can eat it by cutting into pieces but a Vrati can not eat directly in pieces. Cooked or boiled cocumber will be eaten by the Vrati Shrawaka, for whom even the cold water is not allowed for drinking purposes. He should drink warm boiled water which may be turned into cold after some time. Even salt has been restrained for use by Vrati Shrawak or by a Votary. All great saints and personages and Rishies have discoursed in this way. Now let us see what are the duties of a Sixth Pratimadhari Shrawak ?
अन्नं पानं खाद्य लेां नाश्नाति यो विभावर्याम् ।
a fito-faca: Hroodacht4-479-HAT: 1188911 Explanation :
He, who, being mercifully inclined towards all living beings, does not take any of the four kinds of food, namely grains, (or things made of grain) liquids, sweetmeats and semi-liquids after sun-set, such a one is called "RATRI BHUKTI VRATA SHRAWAK".
Description :
Generally we include four types of food in eatables. (1) Solid food of grain, pulses, rice etc.
(2) Liquid food - it contains water, milk, soft drinks and sharbat etc. (3) Swad includes betel leaf. supari, Zarda, Cardamon etc. (4) Semi liquids or Lehya include chatni, Chawanprash and the Vrati of sixth pratima does not eat any of these things at night. By practising other pratimas and vratas feelings of mercy have developed in him and those who take their meals at night cannot avoid Himsa or violence. Abstainers from Himsa have been advised to give night eating strictly. Hence this VRATA OR PRATIMA is known as RATRI - BHUKTI TYAG PRATIMA.
Really speaking, taking of meals in the night is itself beyond the nature and simple attitiude of a man. Generally a man earns his livelihood/money in the day and in the night, he enjoys life and takes sleep. In the day the sunrays are ruling over the nature and it is very closely related with the digestive system of a human body.
