"Existence can never be non-existence, neither can non-existence ever become
existence. ... Know, therefore, that that which pervades all this universe is
without beginning or end. It is unchangeable. There is nothing in the universe
that can change [the Changeless]. Though this body has its beginning and end,
the dweller in the body is infinite and without end." (Ibid. 16-18.)


Knowing this, stand up and fight! Not one step back, that is the idea. ... Fight it
out, whatever comes. Let the stars move from the sphere! Let the whole world
stand against us! Death means only a change of garment. What of it? Thus
fight! You gain nothing by becoming cowards. ... Taking a step backward, you
do not avoid any misfortune. You have cried to all the gods in the world. Has
misery ceased? The masses in India cry to sixty million gods, and still die like
dogs. Where are these gods? ... The gods come to help you when you have
succeeded. So what is the use? Die game. ... This bending the knee to
superstitions, this selling yourself to your own mind does not befit you, my
soul. You are infinite, deathless, birthless. Because you are infinite spirit, it
does not befit you to be a slave. ... Arise! Awake! Stand up and fight! Die if
you must. There is none to help you. You are all the world. Who can help you?



"As the tortoise can draw in his legs, and if you strike him, not one foot comes
out, even so the sage can draw all his sense-organs inside," (Ibid. 58.) and
nothing can force them out. Nothing can shake him, no temptation or anything.
Let the universe tumble about him, it does not make one single ripple in his
mind.




Vivekananda