Book Title: Sramana 1997 04
Author(s): Ashok Kumar Singh
Publisher: Parshvanath Vidhyashram Varanasi

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Page 206
________________ and drinking. The account of his sādhanā given in the Ācārāngais literally soul-stirring. He meditated day and night, undisturbed and unperturbed. Avoiding women, and giving up the company of householders, he realised singleness. He did not care for sleep for the sake of pleasure and slept only for short hours. In winter, he meditated in the shade, in summer he exposed himself to heat. He was free from sin and desire, and not attached to sounds or colours, and never acted carelessly. Thoroughly knowing the earth-bodies, firebodies, wind-bodies, the linchens, seeds and sproutes, and comprehending that they are, if narrowly inspected, imbued with life, he avoided all kinds of sins, and abstained from all sinful activities. He did not use what had expressly been prepared for him. Knowing measure in eating and drinking, he was not desirous of delicious food. For more then a couple of years, he led religious life without using cold water. He remained circumspect in his walking, speaking, begging, and obeying the calls of nature. He remained circumspect in his thoughts, words and acts. He guarded his thoughts, words, acts senses and chastity. He moved without wrath, pride, deceit, and greed. He remained calm, tranquil, composed, liberated, free from temptations, without egoism and without property. In short, he had cut off all earthly ties, and was not strained by any worldliness. His course was unobstructed like that of life. Like the firmament, he wanted no support. Like the wind he knew no obstacles. His heart was pure like the water in autumn. He remained unsoiled like a lotus-leaf. His senses were well protected like those of a tortoise. Like a rhinoceros, he lived single and alone. He was free like a bird, always walking like the fabulous bird Bhārund, valorous like an elephant, strong like a bull, difficult to attack like a lion, steady and firm like the mountain Mandara, deep like ocean, mild like the moon, effulgent like the sun, pure like gold, patient like earth, and shining in splendour like a well-kindled Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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