14. Others said:—Those who forsake the God—Isha, that is situated within the cavity of their hearts (hrid), and resort to others, that are without them, are verily in search of trifles by disregarding the gem _kaustabha_ (philosopher’s stone); which is placed in their hands. 15. Others again declared:—It is by forsaking all other desires, that one obtains this object of his wish; and this being had, the poisonous plants of all other desires, are entirely uprooted from the heart. 16. Some of them pronounced saying:—The foolish man who knowing the insipidity of all worldly things, attaches his mind to earthly object, is an ass and no human being. 17. Others said:—The sensual appetites, which incessantly rise as snakes from the cavities of the body, are to be killed by the cudgel of reason, as Indra broke the hills by his thunderbolts. 18. At last they said:—Let men try to secure the pure happiness of quietism, which serves to give tranquility to the minds of the righteous. The sober-minded that are situated in their real and natural temperament, have their best repose in the lap of undisturbed and everlasting tranquility. CHAPTER IX. REFLECTIONS OF JANAKA. Argument. Abstraction of Janaka’s mind, from the Vanities of the World. Vasishtha continued:—Upon hearing these sonatas of the Siddhas (holy spirits), Janaka was dejected in his mind, like a coward at the noise of a conflict. 2. He returned homeward, and conducted himself in silence to his domicile, as a stream glides in its silent course under the beachening trees, to the bed of the distant main. 3. He left behind all his domestics in their respective dwellings below, and ascended alone to the highest balcony, as the sun mounts on the top of a mountain. 4. Hence he saw the flights of birds, flying at random in different directions; and reflected on the hurrying of men in the same manner, and thus bewailed in himself on their deplorable conditions. 5. Ah me miserable! that have to move about in the pitiable state of the restless mob, that roll about like a rolling stone (or ball), pushed backward and forward by another. 6. I have a short span of endless duration, alloted to my share of lifetime; and yet I am a senseless fool to rely my trust in the hope of its durability. 7. Short is the duration of my royalty also, which is limited to the period of my lifetime only; how is it then that I am secure of its continuance as a thoughtless man. 8. I have an immortal soul lasting from before, and to continue even after my present existence, the present life is a destructible One, and yet I am a fool to rely in it, like a boy believing the painted moon as real. 9. Ah! what sorcerer is it that hath thus bewitched me by his magic wand, as to make me believe I am not spell-bound at all.