It is said of Mahadeva that he used to drink poison, and by drinking it he got over the effect of poison. Mahadeva was the most venturous among the ascetics; one can see this by his wearing a serpent around his neck - now, would you like to do that? If one can be such friends with a serpent as to keep it round one's neck, one can no doubt sit comfortably in the presence of someone one does not like. That hatred, prejudice and nervousness, felt in the presence of someone one does not like, will not arise if one can wear a serpent around one's neck, if one can take a bowl of bitter poison and drink it - which is against nature. Once the soul has fought its battle with all that makes it fear and tremble, shrink back and run away, then that soul has conquered life. It has become the master of life, it has attained its kingdom.