why should we not ear food which grows underground
Based on the Jain scriptures in the provided context, we should not eat food that grows underground because such foods are classified as Anantkaya (aggregate plant life), which contains innumerable living beings (jivas) [1]. The context lists 32 such forbidden foods, including tubers (Bhumikand), carrots, garlic, ginger, turmeric, radish, yams, and sprouted pulses [1]. These are considered "one-sensed" beings with infinite lives in a single body, and consuming them destroys countless souls [1].
The scriptures state that we are not endowed with the sense of taste to kill these innumerable living beings, and doing so for taste will result in losing the organ of taste in the next birth [1]. Additionally, the Acharanga Sutra explains that food placed on earth-bodied beings (sachit earth) is considered faulty and unacceptable, as it involves harm to earth-bodied beings [2]. By abstaining from eating these underground foods, one gains the merit (punya) of saving the lives of infinite living beings [1].
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Based on the Jain monastic rules in the provided context, the principle is clear: food that has been kept past its allowable time should not be consumed, nor should it be given to others. For monks and nuns, food brought in the first period of the day (prahar) must be consumed by the last period; if it remains, it must be respectfully discarded (parat) on a clean, secluded, and lifeless (achitt) spot after proper inspection and cleaning [1]. The same principle applies to laypeople during Paryushan, which is a time to minimize bodily needs and focus on the soul, austerities, and repentance [4][5]. Therefore, regarding your old food from yesterday: you should not consume it. The correct approach, following the spirit of Paryushan, is to respectfully dispose of it rather than eat it or give it to others. This aligns with the principle of avoiding harm and practicing restraint. You can discard it in a clean, secluded place, mindful of not causing harm to living beings, as described in the scriptures [2]. This act of letting go of old food is itself a small austerity that supports the Paryushan goal of shedding karmas and controlling desires [4].
Based on the provided texts, the ideal girl to marry should possess a combination of virtuous qualities, good lineage, and auspicious physical characteristics. She should be from a different *gotra* (clan) but of the same caste, be free from disease, have excellent qualities, be long-lived, and be endowed with virtues like learning and good character [2]. She should also be beautiful, from a large family, and given by her father [1][3]. The texts also specify that one should avoid marrying a girl who is older, taller, or the daughter of one's guru, as these are considered like one's mother [1]. Additionally, a girl with inauspicious signs, such as a quarrelsome nature, is to be avoided even if she has many children [3]. The selection process involves a detailed examination of the girl's physical characteristics (samudrika shastra), including her feet, hands, nails, and other body parts, to determine if she will bring happiness and prosperity [2]. For example, a girl with soft, red feet with even toes is considered a blessing to the home [2]. The texts also mention the importance of the girl's nature, categorizing women into types like Padmini, Hastini, Chitrini, and Sankhini, to find a compatible match for a happy life [5]. Ultimately, a good girl's marriage is decided by the agreement of mind, body, and word, and she should be virtuous and loyal [4].
A man should marry a woman who is from a different gotra but of the same caste (sajati), is free from disease, possesses excellent characteristics, and is long-lived [1]. She should be rich in virtues such as education and good conduct (sheel), and be given by her father [1]. Specific desirable traits include: * **Physical Characteristics:** A woman who is beautiful, has a clean and even forehead about three fingers wide, a deep navel, and gold-colored body hair [1, 2]. Her feet should have equal toes, be soft, reddish, and smooth [1]. * **Behavioral and Social Traits:** She should be fortunate, loving to her husband, a companion in religious duties, and from a good family [1, 3]. * **Astrological Compatibility:** Her birth sign (rashi) should not be the sixth or eighth from the husband's birth sign, and her varna should not be opposite to the husband's [2]. Conversely, one should avoid women who are prone to disputes, steal from the home, are overly aggressive, or possess specific "inauspicious" physical signs, such as a black tongue or a white palate [2].
The knowledge base does not specifically address the use of parchment paper for cooking fasting food during Das Lakshana Parva. However, it does provide general guidelines about fasting and food preparation during this period. During Das Lakshana Parva (the Digambar 10-day festival), fasting typically involves complete abstinence from food or drink, though boiled water is permissible during the daytime [1][4]. For those who cannot fast fully, eating only one meal counts as limited fasting [1][4]. The scriptures emphasize avoiding harm to living beings, including earth-bodied, fire-bodied, air-bodied, plant-bodied, and mobile-bodied beings [3]. Food preparation rules for ascetics prohibit accepting food from pots sealed with clay, shellac, cloth, iron, wood, or other materials, as opening such seals may harm living beings [3]. Additionally, food mixed with flowers, seeds, or other vegetables is considered improper for ascetics [5]. In general, for laypeople preparing fasting food during Das Lakshana, using parchment paper would be a practical concern about avoiding harm to living beings and maintaining purity of food. Since parchment paper is a processed, non-living material, it would generally be acceptable for cooking, provided the food itself is prepared without violating Jain principles of non-violence (e.g., avoiding root vegetables, ensuring food is not cooked specifically for you if you are an ascetic). However, the specific use of parchment paper is not addressed in the provided sources, so you may wish to consult your local Jain spiritual teacher (Sadhu/Sadhvi) for guidance on this practical matter.
Based on the provided context, boiled water that has been heated with three boils (तीन उबाल) becomes achitta (free from living organisms) and is considered acceptable for use [1]. However, the context does not specify a particular duration in minutes for how long the water should be kept outside in a container to cool after boiling. The Nishith Sutra provides a related guideline for "dhovan" (wash) water, stating that it is not acceptable immediately after being prepared; it becomes acceptable only after approximately half an hour (आधा घण्टा) or a muhurta (48 minutes) [4]. The commentator (Churnikar) advised determining the time through discernment rather than a fixed rule [4]. While this specifically refers to wash water, it suggests a general principle that water needs some time to settle and become fully achitta before it is considered suitable for use.
Feeling spiteful and resentful after being left out is a very human experience, and Jain teachings offer a clear path through it. The core idea is to transform negative impulses into positive ones. When you feel jealous or resentful of others' friendships, try to practice **Maitri Bhāvanā** (friendship) and **Pramod Bhāvanā** (appreciation) [3]. Instead of focusing on your own exclusion, try to feel genuine happiness that your friends are doing well—this can turn your unhappiness into happiness and help the feeling of jealousy disappear [1]. The teaching is to consider everyone as a friend, which stops hostility [1]. Practically, you can respond to your feelings without letting them control you. When resentment arises, you can use calming techniques like saying the Navakār Mantra, taking deep breaths, counting to 10, or thinking good thoughts [3]. It's also important to forgive those who hurt you, as holding onto hurt only hurts yourself first [4]. Forgiveness doesn't mean you don't take action; it means you respond without anger, blame, or negativity [2][4]. Finally, remember the principle "to have a friend, you have to be a friend"—focus on being kind, generous, and polite to others, which naturally attracts friendship [5].