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III ADHYAYA, 4 PÂDA, 29.
701
such as have no definite purpose. Nor also can it be objected that in the case of works implying the activity of organs, calmness of mind and so on are impossible, the mind then being necessarily engrossed by the impressions of the present work and its surroundings; for works enjoined by Scripture have the power of pleasing the Supreme Person, and hence, through his grace, to cause the destruction of all mental impressions obstructive of calmness and concentration of mind. Hence calmness of mind and the rest are to be aimed at and practised by householders also. Here terminates the adhikarana of calmness' and so on.
28. And there is permission of all food in the case of danger of life; on account of this being seen.
In the meditation on prána, according to the Vågasaneyins and the Khandogas, there is a statement as to all food being allowed to him who knows the prâna, 'By him there is nothing eaten that is not food' (Bri. Up. VI, 1, 14; and so on). A doubt here arises whether this permission of all food is valid for him who possesses the knowledge of prâna, in all circumstances, or only in the case of life being in danger.—The Parvapakshin holds the former view, on account of no special conditions being stated in the text.This the Satra sets aside in the case of danger to life'; for the reason that, as the text shows, the eating of food of all kinds is permitted even for those who know Brahman itself—the knowledge of which of course is higher than that of prâna-only when their life is in danger. The text alluded to is the one telling how Ushasta Kakrayana, who was well versed in the kaowledge of Brahman, once, when in great distress, ate unlawful food. We therefore conclude that what the text says as to all food being lawful for him who knows prana, can refer only to occasions when food of any kind must be eaten in order to preserve life.
29. And on account of non-sublation.
The conclusion above arrived at is confirmed by the consideration that thus only those texts are not stultified
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