48. When freed from the chimera of its _egoism_, it becomes incorporeal even in its embodied state, and beholds (the glory of) the whole world as it was placed at the point of one of the myriads of hairs (on its body), or like a bee sitting on a flower upon the Sumeru mountain. 49. The intelligent and vacuous soul contains and beholds in its sphere a thousand glories of the world, shining in each atom, as it was in a mirror. 50. It is not even possible to thousands of Haris, Haras and Brahmás, to equal the great minded sage in the extent of his comprehensive soul; because the liberated have their chief good (of internal joy) stretched to a far greater limit than any. CHAPTER XVIII. ASCERTAINMENT OF THE EXAMPLE OR MAJOR PROPOSITION Vasishtha said:— The several parts of this work as already related, give rise to the understanding, as seeds sown in a good field never fail to produce good fruitage. 2. Even human compositions are acceptable when they are instructive of good sense; otherwise the Vedas also are to be renounced (as unreliable); because men are required always to abide by reason. 3. Words conformable with reason are to be received even if spoken by boys; otherwise they are to be rejected as straws though pronounced by the lotus-born (Brahmá himself). 4. Whoever drinks from a well by reason of its being dug by his ancestors, and rejects the holy water of the Ganges even when placed before him, is an incorrigible simpleton. 5. As early dawn is invariably accompanied by its train of light, so is good judgment an inevitable attendant on the perusal of this work. 6. Whether these lessons are heard from the mouth of the learned, or well studied by one’s self, they will gradually make their impressions upon the mind by one’s constant reflection on their sense. 7. They will first furnish (to the learner) a variety of Sanskrit expressions, and then spread before him a series of holy and judicious maxims, like so many ornamental creepers to decorate the hall. 8. They will produce a cleverness joined with such qualifications and greatness, as to engage the good grace of gods and kings. 9. They are called the intelligent who know the cause and effect of things, and are likened to a torch-bearer who is clear sighted in the darkness of the night. (Like the _stoa_ of the Stoics). 10. All their erroneous and covetous thoughts become weaker by degrees, as the regions of the sky are cleared of their mists at the approach of autumn. 11. Your thoughts require only the guidance of reason (to hit the right), as every action needs be duly performed to make it successful. 12. The intellect becomes (by culture) as clear as a great lake in autumn, and it gets its calmness (by reason), like that of the sea after its churning by the Mandara mountain.