The Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 1 (of 4)Valmiki
Religion
The Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 1 (of 4)
Valmiki
Hinduism -- Doctrines -- Early works to 1800; Religious life -- Hinduism -- Early works to 1800
41. So it is by means of discrimination, reasoning and ultimate
ascertainment of truth, that a man may avoid the snares of misery, and
attain his best state.
42. One sitting at ease in his seat and meditating within himself (the
nature of the soul), attains the blissful state, which is free from
sorrow and future birth.
43. All holy men are known to be situated beyond the bounds of the
frail pleasures (of this life); their optimum quiescence is reckoned
the ultimate bliss.
44. They have given up all thoughts both of humanity and heaven
(_i.e._ of both worlds), which are devoid of true felicity as the
mirage is void of water.
45. Therefore should one think of subduing his mind, and resort to
peace and contentment as the means (to happiness); these joined with an
unbounded equanimity produce true happiness.
46. It is not to be had by sitting (quietly at home), or going up and
down (from place to place); and neither by wandering (in pilgrimage),
nor prostrating (before the altar). It is not to be acquired by the
Rákshasas, demons, deities or ignorant-men.
47. That ultimate felicity is born of and obtainable from the peace of
mind: it is the fruit of the high arbor of reason from its blossom of
peace.
48. Those that are engaged in worldliness but do not mix in it like the
all-illumining sun, are known as the best of men.
49. The mind that is at peace and rest, that is clear and free from
errors, and without any attempt or desire, doth neither forsake nor
wish for the world.
50. Hear me tell you of the warders at the gate of salvation in their
order, some one of which being secured, one may have his entrance into
it.
51. Thirst after pleasure is a state of protracted disease, and this
world is full of mirage (all parched and dry). It is equanimity alone
that can cool this dryness as the moistening beams of the moon.
52. It is quiescence which leads to all good and is reckoned the best
state of being. Quietism is felicity, it is peace and the preventive of
error.
53. The man who lives content with his quiet and a calm clearness of
his soul, with a mind fraught with stoicism, makes friends of his
enemies.
54. Those whose minds are adorned with the moon light of quietism, feel
a flux of the beams of purity rising in them like the hoary waves of
the milky ocean.
55. Those holy men who have the lotus-like flower of quietism growing
in the lotiform receptacle of their hearts, are said to have a
secondary heart like the two _pericardiums_ of the god Hari (holding
Brahmá in one of them).
56. They whose untainted faces shine as the moon with the lustre of
quiescence, are to be honoured as the luminaries of their families,
and ravishers of the senses of others by the charming beauty of their
countenance.
57. Whatever is beautiful in the three worlds, and in the shape of
imperial prosperity and grandeur, there is nothing in them that can
afford a happiness equal to that of quietism.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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