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218
THE. QUESTIONS OF KING MILINDA. IV, 2, 19.
"To some, not to others.' *Then it is not always of use ?' 'Does food keep all people alive?' Only some, not others.'
But why not?' 'Inasmuch as some, eating too much of that same food, die of cholera.' 'So it does not keep all men alive?'
There are two reasons which make it destroy life-over-indulgence in it, and weakness of digestion. And even life-giving food may be made poisonous by an evil spell.'
Just so, O king, is Pirit a protection to some and not to others. And there are three reasons (154) for its failure-the obstruction of Karma, and of sin, and of unbelief. That Pirit which is a protection to beings loses its protecting power by acts done by those beings themselves. Just, О king, as a mother lovingly nourishes the son who has entered her womb, and brings him forth with care! And after his birth she keeps him clean from dirt and stains and mucus, and anoints him with the best and most costly perfumes, and when others abuse or strike him she seizes them and, full of excitement, drags them before the lord of the place. But when her son is naughty, or comes in late, she strikes him with rods or clubs on her knee or with her hands. Now, that being so, would she get seized and dragged along, and have to appear before the lord ?'
No, Sir.' * But why not?'
* Upakârena, which the Simhalese repeats and construes with poseti,
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