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SPIRITUAL PRACTICES OF LORD MAHĀVĪRA
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II. SLEEP
Our sleep is directly proportional to the type and amount of food that we take. If the food that we take is delicious and heavy, we go to sleep for long hours and on the contrary if we take light and tasteless food, we are able to sleep less. It is a matter of common experience that after we have our lunch, we are inclined to take some rest. Even to digest the food that we consume, energy is required; so after lunch the blood circulates from the head to the stomach alongwith the energy to digest the food consumed and so we are tempted to take a nap. In contrast to this when we observe a fast, we sleep less or never get a sound sleep. And people who fast for a long time hardly get any sleep and this is because in the absence of food the energy of our body circulates in the head and the person does not get sleep.
It is necessary to sleep. Medical experts say that we may live without food and water at a stretch for 18 days, but it is difficult to remain mentally fit after 3 days in the absence of sleep. While studying the life of Lord Mahāvīra we see that the above fact is disapproved as he slept only for 3 hours in 4515 days and was physically and mentally fit and was also engrossed in the self contemplation. This was possible because he had a strong will-power and a great spiritual potential. Yogis and spiritual practioners not only give up all worldly desires but also limit their necessities in life and attain complete self-control. Thus Lord Mahāvīra became extra ordinary even while moving amidst ordinary people.
Lord Mahāvīra did not force himself to go without sleep at other times. Constant practice, strong will power and self contemplation inspired him to conquer -the sleep. In the Ācārānga Cūrņi it is stated that Lord Mahāvīra never experienced a deep sleep. Whenever he felt sleepy he neither avoided it nor engrossed himself in deep contemplation and also did not waste his time caring for the same. He would sleep for a moment and again continue with his meditation. At times when he felt sleepy, he would walk for some time and again engross himself in meditation. In this way Lord
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