Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c14.t3.20

c14.t3.20

*Vāubhakkhī*⁸⁴—They lived by inhaling air only *Serālabhakkhī*⁸⁵—They lived by eating moss Other hermits lived on roots, bulbous roots, peels, leaves, flowers and seeds, some on rotten roots, bulbous roots, skin, leaves, flowers and fruits,⁸⁶ their body became rough due to constant bathing and they practised the *pañcaggi* penance. These *Tāvasas* followed the rules of the *Vānaprastha āśrama*. Like other ascetics the *Tāvasas* also moved in a body. We hear of three hermits named Koḍinna, Dinna and Sevāli, who were followed by a body of five hundred disciples each. They lived on roots, bulbs, decayed leaves and moss; they set out to pay a visit to Atthāvaya.⁸⁷