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48
THE QUESTIONS OF KING MILINDA.
II, 1, 4.
“Let him come with as many as he likes,” yet Sabbadinna says: “Let him come with ten." Does he suppose we are not capable of feeding so many ?' Then Sabbadinna was ashamed.
4. And Devamantiya and Anantakâya and Mankura went to Nagasena and told him what the king had said. And the venerable Nâgasena robed himself in the forenoon, and taking his bowl in his hand, went to Sagala with the whole company of the brethren. And Anantakâya, as he walked beside Nâgasena, said:
When, your reverence, I say, “Någasena," what is that Nagasena ?'
The Elder replied: "What do you think Nagasena is ?'
•The soul, the inner breath which comes and goes, that I suppose to be Nâgasena.'
But if that breath having gone forth should not return, or having returned should not go forth, would the man be alive?'
Certainly [31] not, Sir.'
But those trumpeters, when they blow their trumpets, does their breath return again to them ?'
No, Sir, it does not.'
Or those pipers, when they blow their pipes or horns, does their breath return again to them?'
No, Sir.' •Then why don't they die?'.
I am not capable of arguing with such a reasoner. Pray tell me, Sir, how the matter stands.'
*There is no soul in the breath. These inhalations and exhalations are merely constituent powers
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