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SANNYASA DHARMA
or nullified by death, but becomes the main factor in the shaping of the conditions of the next life and leads to desirable and beneficial kinds of reincarna. tions in the future. Thus, the amount of indomitable iron will which he developes now will secure for him a rebirth in conditions and surroundings that will make it easier in the next life to adopt and practise the rules of Right Conduct. He therefore, issues his challenge to the terrible Foe in language such as this : 'I know I am not able to destroy thee in this life, or in the next one to come, or even in the one following the next one. I shall, therefore, be unable to resist being devoured by thee for some time yet; but I shall so arrange matters that each time that I pass down thy omnivorons throat, I may be develop. ing my will more and more. Thus if I have no will to defy thee with this time, next time I shall have an ounce of it, and in the second, about a pound, then a ton, and, finally, an irresistible, inexhaustible store ! Then I shall crush thee through the fingers of my hand, so to speak. Beware, then, and let my challenge be registered !' The challenge thrown out, the sūdhu is never afraid of death, but seeks to encounter it howsoever and wheresoever it may come. He does not for that reason run away from any place, nor turn away, through fear, from any situation in which he finds himself placed. As already said life has but one occupation for him now—the conquest of the eternal enemy !--and he goes about fearlessly, ready to face it any where and at any time, unflinch.
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