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SPIRITUAL PRACTICES OF LORD MAHĀVĪRA
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adopt other means like nodding, signalling and substitute this silence which is improper and the purpose with which silence of speech is observed is not at all served. To give up all types of contacts with people and external objects cum circumstances and to contemplate on the true nature of the self is indeed 'Mauna.'
The Āgamas have given the epithet 'Abahuvāi' (3146915) to Lord Mahāvīra. He observed silence most of the time and never spoke when spoken to. When he was questioned about his where abouts, the answer that they got from him was, "I am a Bhikṣu". By practising silence of speech, lot of energy was saved and his spiritual practice became all the more radiant and noble.
The great Acryā Šri Ātmärāmji has said "the power of silence is immense. The scientists too have proved that lot of energy is exhausted while talking and a talkative person meets his death early. According to Jaina agamas, the age of a person is not measured by years, months, days and minutes but by the number of breaths he takes. A person who walks fastly, talks loudly and hastily, sleeps longer, is engrossed in sense pleasures, breathes heavily and so his life span gets exhausted in a short time and he dies soon. On the other hand a person who is calm and composed in life, lives longer. Hence practice of silence paves the way for a healthy life. From the scriptural and scientific point of view, silence is healthy and a talkative nature is very harmful.
Besides loss of energy one lacks concentration when he talks too much and on the contrary when he practices silence of he is able to concentrate and progress steadily on the path of perfection. Hence silence is instrumental in self-realization."
IV. PLACE
Lord Mahāvīra generally stayed on the out-skirts of cities and villages, in forests or in deserted places. He even stayed in villages amidst people but never developed any contacts with them. Unlike other Bhikṣus, he never resided in a lovely place. He was also not on foot constantly but maintained a balance between travel and stay.
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