30. It was under this imprecation that I lost my reason and forgot every thing, even the clear idea I had of God. 31. I then became as helpless as one out of his wits, and came to be afflicted with distress and sorrow like an indigent person. 32. Ah woeful is this world! said I, and how came evil to dwell in it? With these thoughts I remained in silence (pondering on the origin of evil). 33. Then he my father spoke to me saying: Ah my son, why art thou so afflicted? Ask of me the remedy for thy affliction, and thou shalt become happy. 34. Then the lord creator of all peoples was asked by me, seated as I had been on the gold-coloured leaflet of the lotus, about the medicine of worldly woes. 35. How came, said I, O my lord, this world to be so full of misery, and how can people get rid of it, is what I ask of thee (to know). 36. I then learnt the most holy wisdom which Bráhman my father delivered to me, and following his advice, I became quite composed (in my mind). 37. Then the Creator of the world and revealer of all causes, seeing me knowing the knowable and restored to my own natural state said:— 38. I had turned thee to insanity my son, by an illusion, in order to make thee an enquirer into the essence of true knowledge for the welfare of mankind. 39. Now art thou released from the curse of illusion, and arrived to thy highest state of understanding. Thou hast become as one soul (with the Supreme), and art as pure gold (after its purification from dross). 40. Now shut thy heart against the world, and proceed to the land of Bharata on the surface of the earth for the good of mankind. 41. There employ thyself to ceremonial duties to the best of thy knowledge; and advise others to ritual acts in their proper order (of exoteric faith). 42. But such as are disgusted (with the world) in their hearts, and are rational with their elevated understandings, are to be counseled to esoteric knowledge which confers true felicity (to man). 43. Being thus appointed by him who was born in the lotus, I continue to abide herein throughout the succession of beings. (_i.e._ for ages). 44. I have no duty to perform here, but live while I have to live free from all cares. I do my acts always with as tranquil a mind as it were in a state of sleep; I do my works with the body; but I do nothing here with my soul (which is fixed in God). CHAPTER XI. ON THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE INQUIRER AND LECTURER. Vasishtha continued:— I have thus related to you fully about the descent of knowledge on earth, with the reason of my birth and the intention of the lotus born Brahmá (in making me his apostle). 2. Now Ráma, as you are eager to learn the transcendental knowledge, and feel so great an anxiety for it in your mind, it must be the effect of your pristine merit. 3. Ráma said:—How was it sir, that the Supreme lord felt a desire to send down knowledge on earth after his creation of it (and not along with it?)