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quite alone, nobody else being present, he tore out his hair and leaving the house entered the state of houselessness.'
The Jainas mark with great precision the five kinds of knowledge (Jñāna). Mahāvīra was born with the first three Mati, Śruta and Avadhi. On the eve of his renunciation, he gained the fourth Manaḥparyāya, by which he knew the thoughts of all sentient beings, and it remained for him to obtain the fifth and the final degree of knowledge which is called Kevala. The Ascetic Life
Mahāvīra's ascetic life, before his attainment of the highest spiritual knowledge lasted for more than twelve years. His parents were lay-disciples of the Order of Pārsvanātha. Mahāvīra, therefore, began his novitiate as an ascetical member of the same Order.
His habits of life during this period of preparation for the perfect knowledge may be briefly mentioned. He went about naked, possessed not even a bowl for collecting food, and ate in the hollow of his hands. He neglected his body completely. Many insects Crawled on his person, bit him and caused him pain, but he bore it with patience. People were shocked at the sight of him. They shouted at him, and even struck him. For days and months he would observe silence, and remained absorbed in his thoughts. He avoided men as well as women, often gave no answers to questions put to him, and omitted to return greetings. Penances
Mahāvīra's idea of tapas was that of Samvara or practice of self-restraint, with regard to body, speech and mind. In his view, austerities had to be inward as well as outward, and fasting, absolute chastity, and unmitigated meditation were its several forms. He therefore, performed a very prolonged course of severe penances for twelve years for the destruction of his karmas. This course comprehended uninterrupted meditation, unbroken chastity, and the most scrupulous observance of the rules concerning eating
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