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398 . STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA [Ch. VII
It is permissible to Sramana Nirgrantha Dharma that when the physical condition does not allow a monk to practise religion any more he should give up his body voluntarily by Samlekhanā tapa (austerity of renouncing the body), i. e, scratching out the body to save his soul.
As a result of his performance of acts of severe austerities the body of Skandaka became dry, rough and reduced to a skeleton, but it got transformed into a high elevated, noble, illustrious and great physique endowed with spiritual power (tapateja) acquired by penance. He walked and sat by the help of the inner strength of his soul (atmasakti), but he stopped and felt tired, while delivering religious discourse. So he thought it wise to give up his perishable body by the Samlekhanā tapa with the permission of his Guru, Lord Mahāvīra.
Accordingly, he, having taken five great vows and begged pardon of the Sramanas and Sramaņis, slowly climbed up the Vipula mountain along with the other fellow-inonks (KytayoginSthaviras) and cleansed the black stone of cloud colour, the place of passing excrement and urine, then spread the layer of the Durbha grass and sat there in the Padmāsana position (lotus-likesitting pose) facing the east. Then having folded his both hands and touched his head by making anjali (pose of salutation), he said thus: “Salutation to Arhats and Lords...... Lord Mahävira. I, being seated here, worship, and salute Lord Mahāvīra who is seated there." "In the past in the presence of Lord Mahāvīra all acts of killing upto perverted attitude of mind (i.e. eighteen sinful acts) were given up by me for the whole life.” “The rules (know. ledge of matter as the matter is), do like that, but do not do the opposite to that", were also taken up by me to observe for the whole life." Now again, "I accept all the rules in the presence of Lord Mabāvīra, and give up food and drink, etc., for the whole life. I renounce my desired beautiful and charming dear body which is not capable of giving me trouble at the last moment of life."
1 Bhs, 2, 1, 94.
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