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
35. The mind is falsely said to be the agent of all its enjoyments in
life; though it is no agent of itself. It is a misbelief like the false
conception of a serpent in the rope, where there is no serpent at all.
36. Therefore, O sage! allow not yourself to be so angry for your
sorrow; but consider in its true light, the course of events that
befall on humankind.
37. We were not actuated by desire of fame, nor influenced by pride or
passion to any act; but are ourselves subject to the destiny, which
predominates over all our actions.
38. Knowing that the course of our conduct, is subject to the destiny
appointed by the Divine will, the wise never allow themselves to be
subjected under the darkness of pride or passion, at our doings.
39. That our duties only should be done at all times, is the rule laid
down by the wise creator; and you cannot attempt to remove it by your
subjection to ignorance and idleness.
40. Where is that enlightened sight, that gravity and that patience of
yours, that you grovel in this manner in the dark like the blind, and
slide from the broad and beaten path laid open for every body? (This
path is submission to what is destined by the Divine will, according to
the common prayer: “Let not mine, but thy will be done”).
41. Why don’t you consider your case as the sequence of your own acts,
and why then do you, who are a wise man, falsely accuse me like the
ignorant; (as the cause of what is ordained by the Supreme cause of all!)
42. You know that all living beings have two bodies here, of which one
is known as the intellectual or spiritual body or mind.
43. The other is the inert or corporeal frame, which is fragile and
perishable. But the minute thing of the mind which lasts until its
liberation, is what leads all to their good or evil desires.
44. As the skilful charioteer guides his chariot with care, so is this
body conducted by the intelligent mind, with equal attention and
fondness.
45. But the ignorant mind which is prone to evil, destroys the goodly
body; as little children break their dolls of clay in sport.
46. The mind is hence called the _purusha_ or regent of the body, and
the working of the mind is taken for the act of the man. It is bound to
the earth by its desires, and freed by its freedom from earthly
attractions and expectations.
47. That is called the mind which thinks in itself, “this is my body
which is so situated here, and these are the members of my body and
this my head.”
48. The mind is called life, for its having the living principle in it;
and the same is one and identic with the understanding. It becomes
egoism by its consciousness, and so the same mind passes under various
designations, according to its different functions.
49. It has the name of the heart from the affections of the body, and
so it takes many other names at will (according to its divers
operations). But the earthly bodies are all perishable.
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