Kayotsarga

Bahubali practicing meditation in standing Kayotsarga posture. (Photo: Gommateshwara statue, Shravanbelagola)

Kayotsarga (Sanskrit: कायोत्सर्ग Kāyotsarga, Jain Prakrit: काउस्सग्ग Kāussagga) is a yogic posture which is an important part of the Jain meditation. It literally means "dismissing the body".[1][2] A tirthankara is represented either seated in yoga posture or standing in the kayotsarga posture.[3] Kayotsarga means "to give up one's physical comfort and body movements", thus staying steady, either in a standing or other posture, and concentrating upon the true nature of the soul. It is one of the six essentials (avasyaka) of a Jain ascetic[4] and one of the 28 primary attributes of a Jain monks and nuns.

Twenty-one of the tīrthankaras of Jainism are said to have attained moksha in the kayotsarga “standing meditation” posture. An example of unflinching standing meditation is that of Arihant Bahubali who is said to have stood in kayotsarga for a year.[5]

  1. ^ Zimmer 1953, p. 210.
  2. ^ "Kayotsarga: A jaina technique of relaxation". www.merinews.com. 8 May 2010. Archived from the original on 17 December 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  3. ^ Zimmer 1953, p. 209–210.
  4. ^ Pitman, Vicki (2006). "The nature of the Whole: Holism in Ancient Greek and Indian Medecine". Books.google.ch. ISBN 9788120827349.
  5. ^ Zimmer 1953, p. 212.

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