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310
AYARO
virtue of the fact that he has his body attenuated and his passion well-curtailed through vigorous external and internal austerities, like (the two sides of) a beam well-chiselled and evened out. When Death is imminent, he should allow it to take its own time (rather than wish it immediately), until at last the soul is separated from the body.
- I say so.
ANNOTATION 113. Death is really a battle. One who comes out victorious in the battle is blessed with splendor, whereas one who is vanquished is deprived of it. Similarly, a sādhaka, engaged in the battle with Death, attains the pinnacle of sadhanā, if he boldly remains unattached. On the contrary, if he gets defeated in the battle (i. e. if the fear and anticipation of Death haunts him), he deviates from the path of self-discipline.
Hence, the author of the Agama has laid down that one should not lose his wits, on encountering the Death. But for this, one has to be prepared beforehand; one cannot hope to escape Delusion at the eleventh hour. This preparation consists of attenuation of body and passions. Cf. Sūtrakytānga Sūtra, 1/7/30.
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