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पुरुषार्थसिद्धयुपाय therefore, be considered blameless. (6)
The ascetic is indifferent to pleasures of the senses. He stays in vacant houses, temples, hollow trees, or in mountaincaves, devoid of singing, dancing, instrumental music, etc. He is immersed in, and derives pleasure from, study and meditation. His heart is closed to thoughts of worldly pleasures witnessed, heard of and experienced by him formerly, and stories concerning worldly pleasures. And his heart is proof against the arrows of Cupid. He always evinces compassion for the living. He must be understood to have conquered dissatisfaction arising from the absence of pleasures. (7)
In the presence of lovely, intoxicated women in the bloom of youth, the ascetic residing in lonely bowers, houses, etc. is free from agitation or excitement, even though he is disturbed by them. Similarly, he subdues agitations of his senses and his mind like the tortoise covered by his shell. And the smile, charming talk, amorous glances and laughter, lustful slow movement of women and the arrows of Cupid have no effect on him. This must be understood as the conquest of the disturbance caused by women. (8)
Someone has led a celibate life, residing in the habitation of his master. He has learnt the truth about bondage and emancipation. He goes to another place for the sake of food for the body, which is the seat of discipline (saintliness). As initiated by his master, he practises detachment like the wind. His body is grown weak by frequent observances of fasting, taking less food, limiting the articles of food, giving up stimulating food, etc. He avoids roaming, which causes injury and which is opposed to regulations with regard to place and time. While going from place to place on foot, he wears no shoes, and hence his soles are pricked by thorns, sharp stones, etc. which cause him pain. He overcomes such pain and does not think of conveyances etc. used by him on former occasions.
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