Scientific Secrets of Jainism

Author(s): Nandighoshvijay
Publisher: Research Institute of Scientific Secrets from Indian Oriental Scriptures Ahmedabad

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Advantages And Secrets Of Penance: The Scientific View-point
easily and naturally abstain from Tamasika food. His health is not, therefore, at all deteriorated unless he is careless and fails to follow even the general rules for maintaining health.
Ayambila is a special type of penance, in which tasteless and dry food is taken only once a day. In this penance, six infatuating food items (Vigais) namely milk, curds, ghee, jaggery (sugar), oil and sweets are abstained from. Turmeric and chillies are also not used. Spiritually speaking, by this type of penance, the sense of taste come under control and therefore, all the other senses are conquered, the four spiritual defilements (Kaşayas) and mind are conquered. As a result, the bondage of karma is reduced and when there is a lot of cleansing off karma, one approches salvation.
This type of penance has many other advantages, too. Since ghee, milk, curds, jaggery and sweets which produce mucus and green vegetables which generally stimulate bile are fully abstained from in this type of penance, mucus and bile are tranquilized by practising this type of penace.
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From the Ayurvedic view-point, the root of all diseases lie in the imbalance of gas, bile and mucus elements created in the body. In everyday life, food causing mucus and bile is taken excessively. The proportion of mucus and bile, therefore, rises in the body and health is endangered. If it is possible the penance of Ayambila should be practised four or five times a month. Scripturists have greatly obliged us by prescribing performance of the nine day penance (continuous Ayambilas) in the month of Caitra and Aśvina. And this is the secret of it. The month of Caitra and Asvina fall in the transition period of two seasons and in the transition period, changes occur in health. If discremination is not used regarding wholesome and unwholesome in this season, one sometimes becomes a victim to a long-term illness. It is said in Ayurveda vaidyānām śāradī mātā, pitā tu kusumākaraḥ. (वैद्यानां शारदी माता, पिता तु कुसुमाकरः । ) ( For physicians, Sarada one of the six seasons of the year covering Asvina and Kārtika months- is as good as mother and Vasant i.e. spring- one of the six seasons of the year covering the Caitra and Vaisakha months is as good as father.) It is in these two seasons that people fall ill and the doctors and physicians earn a lot. If possible, the penance of nine days - Ayambila, from 7th day of the first half of Caitra and Asvina, to 15th day of first of Caitra and Aśvina, should be performed.
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