The Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 2 (of 4), Part 1 (of 2)Valmiki
Religion
The Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 2 (of 4), Part 1 (of 2)
Valmiki
Hinduism -- Doctrines -- Early works to 1800; Religious life -- Hinduism -- Early works to 1800
28. The king then ordered them to be taken out of the tank, and told
them to repent for their crimes; but the infatuated pair, was far from
doing so, and replied to the king in the following manner.
29. Great King! As long we continue to reflect on the unblemished beauty
of each other’s face, so long are we lost in the meditation of one
another, and forget our own persons.
30. We are delighted in our persecutions, as no torment can separate us
from each other, nor are we afraid of separation, though O King, you can
separate our souls from our bodies.
31. Then they were thrown in a frying pan upon fire, where they remained
unhurt and exclaimed, we rejoice, O King! at the delight of our souls in
thinking of one another.
32. They were tied to the feet of elephants, to be trampled down by
them; but they remained uninjured and said, King we feel our hearty joy
at the remembrance of each other.
33. They were lashed with rods and straps, and many other sorts of
scourges, which the king devised from time to time.
34. But being brought back from the scourging ground, and asked about
their suffering, they returned the same answer as before; and moreover,
said Indra to the King, this world is full with the form of my beloved
one.
35. All your punishments inflict no pain on her also, who views the
whole world as full of myself. (We see our beloved in every shape.
Hafiz. A thousands forms of my love, I see around me. Urfi.
“_berundaruna man sad surate O paidast_” _id_).
36. Therefore all your punishments to torment the body, can give no pain
to the mind (soul); which is my true self, and constitutes my
personality (_purusha_), which resides in my person (purau sete).
37. This body is but an ideal form, and presents a shadowy appearance to
view; you can pour out your punishments upon it for a while; but it
amounts to no more than striking a shadow with a stick. (The body is a
thing that my senses inform me, and not an occult something beyond the
senses. Berkeley. Man can inflict the (unsubstantial) body, and not the
(substantial) spirit within. Gospel).
38. No body can break down the brave (firm) mind; then tell me great
king! what the powers of the mighty amount to? (The mind is
invulnerable, and no human power can break its tenor).
39. The causes that conspire to ruffle the tenor of the resolute mind,
are the erroneous conceptions of external appearances. It is better
therefore to chastise such bodies which mislead the mind to error. (The
certainty of the uncertainty of our bodies, is the only certain means
for the certitude of our minds and safety of our souls; and better is it
for us that our bodies be destroyed, in order to preserve our minds and
souls intact).
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