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THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
them in the normal course of nature. This leads to a decrement or clogging of certain parts of the kârmâna sarîra and to an excessive tumefaction of certain others, with the result that when the organizing energies of the system become active again to manufacture a new organism, or body, the abnormalities prevailing in the constitution of the soul do not admit of the organs of vision being made in the natural way. This is why he who endeavours to deceive another ends, though quite unconsciously, by throwing dust into his own eyes. This one instance suffices to demonstrate the working of the principle of causality in the region of karma, and shows its independence of all human and divine interference.
We must now proceed to a consideration of the fifth tattva, namely, samvara, which means the stoppage of asrava.
Samvara is necessary, because no progress is possible where the fresh influx of sin is not brought to a stop in the first instance.
As an enemy that has taken possession of one's house cannot be destroyed till the doors and windows through which his re-inforcements are pouring in be effectively barred against them, so can we not destroy the forces of our karmas without first of all closing the inlets of asrava against sin. The channels to be closed are the three passages of mind, speech and body, and the bolt with which they can be effectively fastened is the change of the attitude of negativity on the part of the soul. The course of conduct prescribed for effecting the desired change comprises the following
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