The Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 2 (of 4), Part 2 (of 2)Valmiki
Religion
The Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 2 (of 4), Part 2 (of 2)
Valmiki
Hinduism -- Doctrines -- Early works to 1800; Religious life -- Hinduism -- Early works to 1800
32. Now try diligently, my boy, to extricate thy mind from all outward
objects, and fix thy attention to the inward object of this meditation.
33. The willful mind takes at its will its good, bad and moderate or
sober forms; known under the names of _satva_, _rajas_ and _tamas_ (as
defined before).
34. The bad or vitiated form of the mind delights in worldliness, and
by bemeaning itself with all its greedy appetites, reduces itself to
the state of worms and insects in its future births.
35. The good disposition of the mind is inclined towards virtuous
deeds, and the acquisition of knowledge; and by these means advances
both to its soleness and self enjoyment (_i.e._ to its full liberation
and the state of the highest Brahma).
36. In its form of moderation, it is observant of the rules and laws of
society, and conducts itself in the world in the company of friends and
members of the family.
37. After relinquishment of all these three forms, and abdication of
egoism and desires, it reaches to the state of the absolute Supreme
Being.
38. Therefore shun the sight of the visibles, and repress your fleeting
mind by your sober intellect; and diminish your desires for all
internal as well as external goods. (_i.e._ Both mental qualifications
and outward possessions).
39. For though you may practice your austerities for a thousand years,
and crush your body by falling from a precipice upon stones;—
40. Or although you burn your body alive on a flaming pyre, or plunge
yourself into the submarine fire; or if you fall in a deep and dark pit
or well, or rush upon the edge of a drawn and sharp sword;—
41. Or if you have Brahmá himself or even Siva for your preceptor, or
get the very kind and tender hearted ascetic for your religious
guide;—(The _guru_ of this nature probably alludes to Buddha, or Jina
according to some, or to Dattátreya or Durvásá according to others.
Gloss).
42. Whether you are situated in heaven or on earth, or in the regions
of pátála—the antipodes below; you have no way of liberation, save by
keeping your desires under subjection.
43. Exert your manliness therefore, in domineering over your
irresistible and violent desires and passions, which will secure to you
the pure and transcendent joy of peace and holiness.
44. All things are linked together under the bandage of cupidity; and
this band being broken asunder, makes the desired objects vanish into
nothing.
45. The real is unreal and the unreal is real, as the mind may make it
appear to be; all reality and unreality consists in our conception of
them, and in nothing besides.
46. As the mind conceives a thing to be, so it perceives the same in
actuality; therefore have no conception of anything, if you want to
know the truth of it.
47. Do you act as the world goes, without your liking or disliking of
any thing; and thus the desires being at an end, the intellect will
rise to the inscrutable beyond the knowledge of the mind.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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