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SPIRITUAL PRACTICES OF LORD MAHAVIRA
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behind the eyelids are rotating, the person is either dreaming or pondering over some matter. On the contrary if his eyes are stable and calm, he is said to be in deep sleep.
Eyes will be unstable when a person is pondering over something. Hence by fixing our concentration on a particular spot, we can actually control our mind and develop our power of concentration. Lord Mahāvīra experimented with this kind of practice, and his personality emitted a powerful aura which scared the children to run away.
Such a practice was observed by the followers of Buddha too.
It is stated in the Ācārārga commentary that mentions that Lord Mahāvīra fasted for three days in Polasa Caityā situated in Pedhāla village. He took to the Käyotsarga image, his body slightly bent, his eyes fixed on a particular object, body completely still, his senses well under control himself engrossed in meditation. He took to the 'Mahāpratimā' of one night in this image.
Further the author of Avasyaka Niryukti states that Lord Mahāvīra practiced Bhadra Pratimā, Mahābhadra Pratimā and Sarvato Bhadra Pratimă in the Sanulashti village. In Bhadra Pratimā, he meditated for hours in each of the four directions i.e. on the first day in the eastern direction, in the night in the southern direction, on the second day in the western direction and in the night in the northern direction. Similarly, he practiced Mahābhadra Pratimā for four days and nights, after which he started the Sarvatobhadra Pratimā which was completed in ten days and ten nights. Thus Lord Mahāvīra fasted for sixteen days and nights and stood in constant meditation.
Only continuous practice enables the aspirant to achieve the desired goal of self-realization and enlightenment. Lord Mahāvīra did not take up this kind of spiritual practice as a special ritual, but it was an essential and inseparable part of his personality. The Agamas further maintain :
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