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SANNYASA DHARMA I
his good fortune to have the opportunity of serving saints and offering them pure wholesome food. The arrival of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, will not be so heartily welcomed by him as that of a pious saint devoted to the realisation of spiritual purity, i.e., moksha. By partaking of food at a householder's under such circumstances the saint does not lose his sense of independence. As a matter of fact he does not ask for food from any one. At the time of the morning meal hu merely passes through the householders' quarters who, knowing his presence amongst them, are eagerly waiting for his arrival at their doors. As he approaches a householder's door, the latter salutes him reverently and invites him to stay, informing him that pure wholesome food is ready at his place, and hoping all the time that good luck will incline the saint to accept his offer. If the muni halts, he imme. diately leads him into his house where suitable arrangements have already been made for his reception, and all pains taken to avoid the faults so far as they concern the time, the place and the offerer himself. He then washes the saint's feet and wor. ships him as a saviour, applying the washing to his forehead in token of reverence. The muni then stands erect with his feet about two inches apart from each other and, observing all kinds of rules of carefulness, proceeds to eat the morsels which the householder places in his joined palms. The quantity taken is just sufficient to maintain the body and the soul to
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