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THE TENFOLD VIRTUE
What for is this mentioned? The first 'control' is intended to curb activity. The second 'regulation' is intended to indicate regulation of activity, in the case of those who cannot curb it altogether, by giving proper directions. And the object of the tenfold virtue or duty is to avoid spiritual inertia or negligence, while engaged in activities such as movement. Forbearance is the absence of defilement such as anger in the ascetic, who goes out for food for preserving the body, wnen he meets with insolent words, ridicule or derision, disgrace, bodily torment and so on from vicious people. Modesty (humility) is the absence of arrogance or egotism on account of high birth, rank and so on. Straightforwardness is freedom from crookedness. Purity is freedom from greed. Truth is the utterance of chaste words in the presence of noble persons. Now is not this included under regulation of speech-activity ? There is nothing wrong in this. The ascetic who comes in contact with good as well as wicked people speaks as little as possible of what is good. Otherwise, it will lead to unnecessary evil originating from attachment. That is called regulation of speech-activity. But the ascetic coming in contact with good people, saints or those devoted to them, must discourse elaborately on the attributes of knowledge and conduct in order to promote virtue. Desisting from injury to life-principles and sensual pleasures while engaged in careful activity is selfrestraint or discipline. Undergoing penance in order to destroy the accumulated karmas is austerity. Austerity is of twelve kinds as will be explained later. Gift is giving or bestowing knowledge etc. appropriate to saints. Non-attachment is giving up adornment of the body and the thought this is mine'. He who has nothing is 'akiñcana'. His thought or natural property is 'ākiñcanya' 1. Perfect celibacy consists in not recalling pleasure enjoyed previously, not listening to stories of sexual passion (renouncing erotic literature), and renouncing bedding and seats used by women. Continence (brahmacarya) is residing in the abode of the teacher in order to abandon self-willed activity. The word 'perfect' or 'supreme' is added
1 The ascetic never thinks that this is his and so on with regard to his own body and material possessions.
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