60. The consciousness that “I am the one soul, and not a living being or distinct existences;” (because all things distinct from the universal soul are nothing at all); is called the tranquility of the spirit and its true felicity. 61. When you are certain, O Ráma! that the world is the universal soul itself, you will find the false distinctions of your mind and living soul, to be nothing in reality. 62. When you come to perceive that all this is your very self, your mind will then melt away into the soul, as the darkness dissolved in the sunlight, and the shadow disappears in the air. 63. As long as you cherish the snake of your mind within yourself, you are in danger of catching its poison; but this being removed by your yoga meditation, you escape the danger at once. 64. Be bold, O Ráma! to destroy the mighty demon of the deep rooted error of your mind, by the power of incantation (_mantras_) of your perfect knowledge. 65. Upon disappearance of the demon of the mind from the dwelling of your body, as when a Yaksha disappears in the air, you will be free from every disease, danger, care and fear. 66. Dispassionateness, and disinterestedness, joined with the knowledge of unity, melt down the substance of the mind, and confer the best and highest state of felicity and rest in the Supreme spirit; and bring on that state of tranquility which is the main aim of every body. May all these blessings attend upon you. CHAPTER. XV. ON AVARICE. Argument. Description of avarice as the Root of all Evils. Vasishtha continued:—The soul by following the unholy essence of the mind, which is the source of the world, is led to fall into the snare, which is laid by it for all living beings. 2. The soul then loses the brightness of its spiritual form, and takes the gross shape of the senses: it waits upon the guidance of the mind, and indulges in its impure imaginations. 3. It falls into avarice, which like a poisonous plant makes it senseless, and spreads a fearful anesthesia over it. 4. Avarice like a dark night, hides the soul under the gloom of oblivion, and produces endless pangs to the soul. 5. The god Siva withstood the flame of the kalpa conflagration, but no body can withstand the fierce fire of avarice. 6. It bears a form as formidable as that of a long, sharp and sable dagger; which is cold in appearance, but very injurious in her effects. 7. Avarice is an evergreen plant, bearing bunches of plenteous fruits on high; which when they are obtained and tasted, prove to be bitter and galling. 8. Avarice is a voracious wolf, prowling in the recess of the heart; and feeding unseen on the flesh and blood and bones of its sheltering body. 9. Avarice is as a rainy stream, full of foul and muddy water now overflowing and breaking down its banks, and then leaving empty its dirty bed.