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SHRAMAN MAHAVIR
name the drug that grows neither on the earth nor in the heavens and which is always health-giving, dry and endorsed by all great works'
Replied Vagbhatta, 'Indian system of medicine commends missing meals as a great remedy This remedy neither grows
on the earth nor in the heavens It is truly health giving, dry • and endorsed by all the great works'
If missing meal is a great Ayurvedic remedy fasting for prolonged periods is a panacea Jain scholars have drawn a great difference between missing meals and Tasting (upwas). 'Langhan' or missing meal has nothing to offer compared to 'upwas' or fasting Mere missing meals is not fasting It literally means being in the proximity of the self where the chaste thoughtless consciousness rises in such a state any ailment is unthinkable Initially the Lord experimented with dry and juiceless food The biologists believe that the body grows weak and sick on being denied its nutritional requirements But the Lord never grew weak or sick The escalation of his consciousness effected profound changes in his physiology. His genius attained the supreme awareness How then could the temple of the body be lacking in health, vigour and comeliness?
Enlightenment was the culmination of his spiritual pursuit that ended his prolonged fasts Fast is not an end in itself It is only a means to an end The moment the end was achieved no more was the means required • Skandaka the Vedic saint came to the Lord The Lord was taking meals each day during those days It made his physique bright and glowing Such glorious health begs for no external make up or adornment. He was bewitched by such a glorific health of the Lord - Swetambaras believe that the Lord took meals even after his enlightenment while Digambaras believe otherwise Who knows the truth? Both seem to toe the line of truth Enlightenment and eating are not incompatible Hence the Swetambara belief that the Lord ate is not untrue A potent
