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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GODS.
915
life and cannot be lost. It is carried in the shape of the modifications in the constitution of the karmâna sarira, and becomes an important factor in the building of the future career and personality of the individual.
The start in Right Conduct is to be made by the renunciation of the very worst habits and thoughts as soon as the Right Faith is acquired. Wanton cruelty, the worst form of himsâ, for which there can be no justification, is the very first thing to be abandoned. It is no use our endeavouring to make any headway on the spiritual path without first renouncing animal flesh and sport. How shall he whose foot has never touched the very first rung of the ladder reach the top? The ". worse cannot be attacked so long as the worst" remains unchecked, for the one is implied in the other. The Gods in whose company we fain would sit are the well-wishers of all; they neither devour nor destroy any living being. How, then, can he who causes pain to living beings to afford momentary pleasure to his palate or tongue ever aspire to become a God?
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The aspirant after immortality and joy must, therefore, give up sport and animal food at the time of the adoption of Right Faith. For similar reasons, he should also give up gambling, profligacy, and the habits of stealing, drinking and falsehood.
This is the first step in the House-holder's section or stage. There are eleven such steps (pratimas) in all before the muni's status is reached, and it is necessary for the house-holder to perfect himself in them all if he wishes to make steady progress all along,
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