"Роджер Желязны. Lord of Light (Лорд Света, engl) " - читать интересную книгу автора

sort."
"Yet," said Aram, "Patanjali does state that it is the intention rather
than the act which governs. Therefore, if I killed with love rather than
malice, it would be as if I had not killed. I confess that this was not the
case and that malice was present-- therefore, even if I did not kill I do
bear the burden of the guilt because of the presence of that intention. So I
could step upon it now and be none the worse for it, according to the
principle of ahimsa. Since I am a guest, however, I of course respect
the
practice and do not do this thing." With this, he moved his sandal away from
the insect, which stood immobile, reddish antennae pricked upward.
"Indeed, he is a scholar," said one of the Order of Ratri.
Aram smiled. "Thank you, but it is not so," he stated. "I am only a
humble seeker of truth, and on occasion in the past have I been privileged
to overhear the discourses of the learned. Would that I might be so
privileged again! If there were some great teacher or scholar in the
vicinity, then I would most surely walk across a bed of hot coals to sit at
his feet and to hear his words or observe his example. If-- "
He stopped then, for all eyes had suddenly turned upon the doorway at
his back. He did not move his head, but reached out to crush a beetle that
stood near his hand. The tip of a small crystal and two tiny wires protruded
through the broken chitin of its back.
Then he turned, his green eye sweeping across the row of monks seated
between himself and the doorway, and he looked upon Yama, who wore breeches,
boots, shirt, sash, cloak and gloves all of red, and about whose head was
twisted a turban the color of blood.
"'If?'" said Yama. "You were saying 'if'? If some sage or some avatar
of the godhead resided in the vicinity, you should like to make his
acquaintance? Is that what you were saying, stranger?"
The beggar rose from the table. He bowed. "I am Aram," he stated, "a
fellow seeker and traveler with all who wish enlightenment."
Yama did not return the salute. "Why do you spell your name backward,
Lord of Illusion, when all your words and actions herald it before you?"
The beggar shrugged. "I do not understand what you say."
But the smile came again to his lips. "I am one who seeks the Path and
the Right," he added.
"I find that hard to believe, after witnessing at least a thousand
years of your treachery."
"You speak of the lifetime of gods."
"Unfortunately, I do. You have made a serious mistake, Mara."
"What may that be?"
"You feel that you must be permitted to leave here alive."
"I admit that I anticipate doing so."
"Not considering the numerous accidents which might befall a lone
traveler in this wild region."
"I have been a lone traveler for many years. Accidents always happen to
other people."
"You might believe that even if your body were destroyed here, your
atman would be transferred remotely to another body located elsewhere.
I