25. I take my asylum under that Hari who is the destructive frost to the lotus-bed of demons; and the rising sun to the opening buds of the lotus-bed of the deities; who is the source of the lotus-born Brahmá, and receptacle of the lotiform seat (cranium) of our understanding. 26. My hope is in Hari—the blooming lotus of the bed of the triple world, and the only light amidst the darkness of the universe; who is the principle of the intellect—chit, amidst the gross material world and who is the only remedy of all the evils and troubles of this transient life. 27. Vasishtha continued:—Hari the destroyer of demons, who is graced on his side by the goddess of prosperity; being lauded with many such graceful speeches of the demoniac lord, answered him as lovingly in his blue lotuslike form, as when the deep clouds respond to the peacocks’ screams. CHAPTER XXXIV. PRAHLÁDA’S SELF KNOWLEDGE OF SPIRITUALISM. Argument. Prahláda’s meditations and attainment of spiritual knowledge by the blessing of Vishnu. The Lord said:—O thou rich jewel on the crown of the Daitya race! Receive thy desired boon of me for alleviation of thy worldly afflictions. 2. Prahláda replied:—What better blessing can I ask of thee, my Lord! than to instruct me in what thou thinkest thy best gift, above all other treasures of the world, and which is able to requite all our wants in this miserable life. 3. The Lord answered:—Mayst thou have a sinless boy! and may thy right discrimination of things, lead thee to thy rest in God, and the attainment of thy Supreme felicity, after dispersion of thy earthly cares, and the errors of this world. 4. Vasishtha rejoined:—Being thus bid by his god, the lord of demons fell into a profound meditation, with his nostrils snoring loudly like the gurgling waters of the deep. 5. As the lord Vishnu departed from his sight, the chief of the demons made his oblations after him; consisting of handfuls of flowers and rich gems and jewels of various kinds. 6. Then seated in his posture of _padmásana_, with his legs folded over one another, upon his elevated and elegant seat; and then chaunted his holy hymn and reflected within himself. 7. My deliverer from this sinful world, has bade me to have my discrimination, therefore must I betake myself to discriminate between what is true and falsehood. 8. I must know that I am in this darksome world, and must seek the light of my soul as also what is that principle (Ego), that makes me speak, walk and take the pains to earn myself. 9. I perceive it is nothing of this external world, like any of its verdant trees or hills; the external bodies are all of a gross nature, but my _ego_ is quite a simple and pure essence. 10. I am not this insensible body, which is both dull and dumb, and is made to move for a moment by means of the vital airs. It is an unreal appearance of a transitory existence.