Sannyasa Dharma

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Champat Rai Jain

Page 78

SANNYASA DHARMA
Whosoever will recall to mind the fact that the aim of the sadhu's life is to effect a complete separation between the body and the soul, will cease to cavil at the idea of extreme severity implied in tapaścharang. The bodily sensations of heat and cold even must be destroyed, or, at least, the mind should by constant practice of the käya-klesa (bodily affliction) tapas maku itself impervious to their influence. Even reflex activity must be controlled. Without the full observance of these external tapas, steadiness in dhyāna (contemplation) cannot possibly be attained, and without perfece tion in holy contemplation the separation of spirit froin matter is altogether out of the question.
The duration of kāyotsarga may be short, that is to say, an antarmahurta (less than 48 minutes), or as much as a year, which is accomplished only under special circumstances by specially endowed ascetics. It is recommended that the käyotsargu, performed as a penance for the removal of evil taint from the soul should be regulated as to its duration in the following manner :
one hundred and eight broath-periods for the transgression of any of the five principal vows,
twenty five breath.periods for the defilement of a sacred place, or the vicinity of a saint's seat, and the like, and
twenty-seven breath-periods for the removal of the tinge of unholy thoughts, mental activity, and the like, in connection with the commencement or com
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