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
10. He sees the right and wrong dealings of men, and the acts of the
depraved desires of their minds; but knowing all human affairs as
clearly as in a mirror in his hand, he holds his peace with every one.
11. Standing on his firm footing (of nonchalance), and knowing the
frailty of worldly things, he smiles at the vicissitudes of nature with
the cold frigidity (sang froid) of his heart (like the laughing
philosopher).
12. Such is the nature, Ráma, of the great souls, who have subdued
their minds, and know the course of nature, as I have described to you.
13. I am unable to describe to you, the fond beliefs of the minds of
the ignorant populace, who are plunged in the mud of their sensual
enjoyments (like earthly worms). (Who are of ungoverned minds).
14. Women, devoid of understanding, and graced with their personal
charms, are the idols of these people; who are fond of their golden
forms, without knowing them to be the flames of hell fire.
15. Wealth, the fond object of the foolish people, is fraught with
every ill and evil desire; its pleasure is poison and productive of
misery, and its prosperity is replete with dangers.
16. Its use in the doing of meritorious deeds, and various acts of
piety, is also fraught with a great many evils, which I have not the
power to recount. (The works of merit being productive of pride and
passions, and those of piety being the source of transmigration).
17. Therefore Ráma! keep your sight on the full view (clairvoyance) of
your spirit, by retracting it from the external visibles and internal
thoughts; and conduct yourself in this world as one liberated in his
life-time.
18. Being free from all your inward passions and feelings of affection,
and having given up all your desires and expectations; continue in the
performance of your outward duties in this world.
19. Follow all your duties in life with a noble pliability of your
disposition; but preserve the philosophic renunciation of everything in
your mind, and conduct yourself accordingly in this world.
20. Think well on the fleeting states of all earthly things, and fix
your mind in the lasting nature of your soul; and thus conduct yourself
in this transitory stage, with the thoughts of eternity in your mind.
21. Conduct yourself, Ráma, with your inward indifference and want of
all desire: but show your outward desire for whatever is good and
great. Be cold blooded within yourself but full of ardour in your
external demeanour.
22. Conduct yourself among men, O Ráma! with a feigned activity in your
outward appearance, but with real inaction in your mind; show yourself
as the doer of your deeds, but know in your mind to be no actor at all.
23. Conduct yourself such, O Ráma! with your full knowledge of this
world, as if you are acquainted with the natures of all beings herein;
and go wherever you please with your intimate acquaintance of
everything there.
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