40. The incessant cares and miseries which befal to men at every step, serve sometimes to torment the ignorant mind as a flame of fire burns away the straw. 41. But the troubles of this world can not afflict the wise man, who knows the knowable, and discerns all things (in their true light); just as it is impossible for the flame of fire to burn down a wood drenched by the rains. 42. The man knowing the truth resembles the firm arbor of the oak (Kalpa), which no whirlwind of disease or distress, raised by the hot winds of this desert of the world, has the power to upset. 43. The intelligent man who has a mind to know the truth, must diligently serve his wise preceptor with loving regard. 44. The sayings of the well-minded preceptor who is asked about anything, must be carefully preserved in the mind, as a piece of fine muslin receives the dye (with which it is dyed). 45. O best of the eloquent, you must not receive the instruction of one unacquainted with truth himself; whoever asks him anything is the greatest of fools. 46. Whoever does not carefully attend to the words of the truth-telling preceptor who is asked about anything, is the basest of men. 47. He is the best inquirer who makes his enquiry of one after ascertaining by his deeds whether he knows the knowable or not. 48. But he is reckoned a vile inquirer and incapable of knowing great things, who makes a boyish query without ascertaining the lecturer’s (qualifications). 49. The wise man when asked, will reply to him who is able to comprehend the antecedent and subsequent propositions, and is possessed of a good understanding; but he should make no answer to a vile brutish being. 50. The preceptor who gives his lecture without examining the capacity of the inquirer to grasp his meaning, is pronounced unwise by the learned. 51. O delight of Raghu’s race! this our meeting is a very congenial one and well adapted to each other, wherein you as inquirer are an admirer of virtue, and I the speaker, am well acquainted (with the subject). 52. You that understand the meaning of words, should well consider all what I tell you, and take them to your heart. 53. You are truly great and disgusted with the world, and know the truth among mankind; whatever is spoken to you must be impressed in your mind as the red dye on muslin. 54. You by your attention to what I say and discrimination of spiritual matters, can make your understanding receive my instruction as the waters reflect the sun-light. 55. Receive all that I say and store them diligently in your mind; or else it is useless to ask me anything. 56. The mind, O Ráma! is as fickle as an ape in the forest, correct it carefully and attend to spiritual instruction. 57. Keep yourself always from the injudicious and ignorant, and those addicted to the company of wicked people, and honour the virtuous.