13. The qualities of the past life, accompany a man in his next birth; as the swallows of the rainy weather, attend on a dark cloud in the air. (This bird is called a hansa or hernshaw by Shakespeare; as, when it is autumn, I can distinguish a swallow from a hernshaw). 14. Being thus qualified by his prior virtues, the goodman has recourse to an instructor for the development of his understanding, who thereupon puts him in the way to truth. 15. The man with the qualities of reason and resignation of his mind, beholds the Lord as one, and of the same form as the imperishable soul within himself. 16. It is the spiritual guide, who awakens the dull and sleeping mind by his right reasoning; and then instils into it the words of truth, with a placid countenance and mind. 17. They are the best qualified in their subsequent births, who learn first to awaken their worthless and dormant minds, as they rouse the sleeping stags in the forest. 18. It is first by diligent attendance on good and meritorious guides (or gurus), and then by cleansing the gem of their minds by the help of reasoning that the pure hearted men come to the light of truth, and perceive the divine light shining in their souls. CHAPTER VII. ON ATTAINMENT OF DIVINE KNOWLEDGE. Argument. Attainment of knowledge by Intuition, compared to the falling of a fruit from heaven. Vasishtha continued:—I have told you Ráma, the usual way to knowledge for mankind in general; I will now tell you of another method distinct from the other. 2. Now Ráma! we have two ways which are best calculated for the salvation of souls, born in human bodies on earth: the one is by their attainment of heavenly bliss, and the other by that of their final beatitude (apavarga). 3. And there are two methods of gaining these objects; the one being the observance of the instructions of the preceptor, which gradually leads one to his perfection in the course of one or reiterated births. 4. The second is the attainment of knowledge by intuition, or by self culture of a partly intelligent being; and this is as the obtaining of a fruit falling from heaven. 5. Hear now of the attainment of intuitive knowledge, as that of getting a fruit fallen from the sky, from the old tale which I will now recite to you. 6. Hear the happy and holy story, which removes the fetters of our good and evil deeds, and which the last born men (now living), must taste with a zest for their enlightenment, as others relish a fruit fallen from heaven for their entertainment. CHAPTER VIII. SONG OF THE SIDDHAS OR HOLY ADEPTS. Argument. Wandering of Janaka in a Vernal garden, and hearing the Song of Siddhas. Vasishtha continued:—There lives the mighty king of the Videhas (Tirhutians) Janaka by name, who is blessed with all prosperity and unbounded understanding.