CHAPTER CXVIII. Directions to the Stages of Knowledge 373 CHAPTER CXIX. Illustration of the Gold-ring 377 CHAPTER CXX. Lamentation of the Chandála Woman 383 CHAPTER CXXI. Proof of the futility of Mind 387 CHAPTER CXXII. Ascertainment of the Self or Soul 396 YOGA VÁSISHTHA. BOOK III. UTPATTI KHANDA. CHAPTER LI. DESCRIPTION OF SINDHU’S DOMINIONS. Vasishtha said:—The loud cry that the king was killed in battle by the rival monarch, struck the people with awe, and filled the realm with dismay. 2. Carts loaded with utensils and household articles, were driving through the streets; and women with their loud wailings, were running away amidst the impassable paths of the city. 3. The weeping damsels that were flying for fear, were ravished on the way by their captors; and the inhabitants were in danger of being plundered of their properties by one another. 4. The joyous shouts of the soldiers in the enemy’s camp, resounded with the roarings of loose elephants and neighings of horses, trampling down the men to death on their way. 5. The doors of the royal treasury were broken open by the brave brigands, the valves flew off and the vaults re-echoed to the strokes. The warders were overpowered by numbers, and countless treasures were plundered and carried away. 6. Bandits ripped off the bellies of the royal dames in the palace, and the chandála free-booters hunted about the royal apartments. 7. The hungry rabble robbed the provisions from the royal stores; and the soldiers were snatching the jewels of the weeping children trodden down under their feet. 8. Young and beautiful maidens were dragged by their hair from the seraglio, and the rich gems that fell from the hands of the robbers, glistened all along the way. 9. The chiefs assembled with ardour with their troops of horses, elephants and war-chariots, and announced the installation of Sindhu by his minister. 10. Chief engineers were employed in making the decorations of the city and its halls, and the balconies were filled by the royal party attending at the inauguration. 11. It was then that the coronation of Sindhu’s son, took place amidst the loud acclamations of victory; and titles and dignities, were conferred upon the noblemen on the victor’s side. 12. The royal party were flying for life into the villages, where they were pursued by the victorious soldiers; and a general pillage spread in every town and village throughout the realm. 13. Gangs of robbers thronged about, and blocked the passages for pillage and plunder; and a thick mist darkened the light of the day for want of the magnanimous Vidúratha.