39. It is for want of the knowledge of the one Ego, that we think ourselves as I, thou, this or the other; and it is by shutting out our view of the only soul, that we see the incessant revolutions of this world and that. 40. As long as the darkness of egoism reigns over the wilderness of human life, so long doth the goblin of selfishness infest it with its wanton revelry. 41. The vile man that is seized by the avaricious demon of selfishness, is at an utter loss of any moral precept, and any _mantra_ of his religion to satisfy his wants. 42. Ráma said:—Tell me, O venerable Bráhman, how we may be enabled to suppress our egoism or selfishness, for evading the dangers and difficulties in our course through the world. 43. Vasishtha replied:—It is by seeking to settle mind in the resplendent soul, as it shines in the transparent mirror of the intellect, that it is possible for any body to suppress the consciousness, of his self or personal existence. (_i.e._ By losing one’s self in the self-existence of the Supreme Soul). 44. A closer investigation into human life, proves it to be a maze full with the false shows of magic. It is not worth loving or hating, nor capable of causing our egoism or pride. 45. He whose soul is free from egoism, and devoid of the impression of the phenomenals; whose course of life runs in an even tenor, is the man who can have no sense of egoism in him. (Whose life doth in one even tenor run, and end its days as it has begun. Pope.) 46. He who knowing his internal self to be beyond the external world, and neither desires nor dislikes anything in it, but preserves the serenity of his temper at all times, is not susceptible of egoism. 47. Whoso thinks himself to be the inward noumena, and distinct from the outward phenomena, and keeps the calm equanimity of his mind, is not ruffled by the feeling of his egoism. 48. Ráma said:—Tell me, sir, what is the form of egoism, and whether it consists in the body or mind or of both of these, and whether it is got rid of with the riddance of the body. 49. Vasishtha replied:—There are three sorts of egoism, Ráma! in this triple world, two of which are of superior nature, but the third is of a vile kind and is to be abandoned by all. 50. The first is the supreme and undivided Ego, which is diffused throughout the world; it is the Supreme soul (Paramátma), beside which there is nothing in nature. 51. The feeling of this kind of egoism, leads to the liberation of men, as in the state of the living-liberated; but the knowledge of the ego, as distinct and apart from all, and thought to be as minute as the hundredth part of a hair, is the next form of self-consciousness, which is good also. 52. This second form of egoism, leads also to the liberation of human souls, even in the present state of their existence, known as the state of living-liberation (Jívan-Mukta).