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the number of breaths one takes. It is always said 'breaths are numbered'. As per Jainism the period of life is predetermined. When one is born one is given a certain number of breaths. A soul cannot undertake transit until and unless next life-span is determined. The texts say, in the present era the average life expectancy of human beings is 125 years divided in three phases equally with a view that the life span of the next birth is determined in any of these three. The interpreters of the text say that the first forty years are youthful, second forty years are prime age and thereafter deterioration in physique starts to take place. As per a scientific analysis, apparently most mammals live about five times the age of their maturity. In man, this would mean that the normal life-span should be about a century and a quarter, an age which is now reached only in one case out of millions. The quicker one spends one's breaths, the sooner one dies. One should save one's breath so that one can live longer The slower, deeper and fuller breathing - more the years one can live.
Mahavira carried out severest austerities of various types. Immediately after leaving his palace for search for knowledge he started, beginning with breath, to calm himself down and reduced the beats of heart until they were only the few. He indulged in kayosagga, deep relaxation and meditation. He attained a state in which his consciousness was eternally awakened. His dependence on external energy intake) reduced dramatically. He neither ate nor drank. Nor he spoke nor slept. He was in full agreement with hunger and
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