22. O Ráma! that art fraught with all admirable qualities, and endued with the high power of reason; keep thyself steady in the acts of goodness, and never may the erroneous cares of this world betake thee in thy future life. YOGA VÁSISHTHA. BOOK V. THE UPASAMA KHANDA ON QUIETISM. CHAPTER I. THE ÁHNIKA OR DAILY RITUAL. Argument. The Book on calm quiet and rest, necessarily follows those of Creation and sustentation; as the sleeping time of night succeeds the working time of the Day, and as the rest of God followed his work of Creation and supportance. Vasishtha said:—Hear me, Ráma, now propose to you the subject of quietude or rest, which follows that of Existence and sustentation of the universe; and the knowledge of which will lead you to _nirvána_ or final extinction (as the evening rest, leads to sound sleep at night, and quietude is followed by quietus). 2. Válmíki says:—As Vasishtha was delivering his holy words, the assembly of the princes remained, as still as the starry train, in the clear sky of an autumnal night. 3. The listening princes looking in mute gaze, at the venerable sage amidst the assembly, resembled the unmoving lotuses looking at the luminous sun from their breathless beds. 4. The princesses in the harem forgot their joviality, at hearing the sermon of the sage; and their minds became as cool and quiet as in the long absence of their consorts. 5. The fanning damsels with flappers in their hands, remained as still as a flock of flapping geese resting on a lotus-bed; and the jingling of the gems and jewels on their arms, ceased like the chirping of birds on the trees at night. 6. The princes that heard these doctrines, sat reflecting on their hidden meanings, with their index fingers sticking to the tip of their noses in thoughtfulness; and others pondered on their deep sense, by laying the fingers on their lips. 7. The countenance of Ráma flushed like the blushing lotus in the morning, and it brightened by casting away its melancholy, as the sun shines by dispelling the darkness of night. 8. The king of kings—Dasaratha felt as delighted in hearing the lectures of Vasishtha, as the peacock is gladdened at the roaring of raining clouds. 9. Sarana the king’s minister removed his apish fickle mind from his state affairs, and applied it intensely to attend to the teachings of the sage. 10. Laxmana who was well versed in all learning, shone as a digit of the bright crescent moon, with the internal light of Vasishtha’s instructions, and the radiance of his Spiritual knowledge. 11. Satrughna the subduer of his enemies, was so full of delight in his heart at the teaching of the sage; that his face glowed with joy, like the full moon replete with all her digits.