30. Whoever plants this plant of the life and conduct (_i.e._, the biography) of Uddálaka in the garden of his heart, will find it always flourishing with the flowers of knowledge and the fruit of divine bliss within himself. And whoso walks under the shadow of this growing arbor, he is never to be subject to death, but will reap the fruit of his higher progress in the path of liberation. CHAPTER LVI. INVESTIGATION INTO MEDITATION AND CONTEMPLATION. Argument. That a man in secular life, is not barred from spiritual contemplation. Nor is the spiritualist debarred from engaging in secular duties. Vasishtha continued:—Proceed in this manner to know the universal soul in your own soul, and thereby obtain your rest in that holy state. 2. You must consider all things by the light of the sástras, and dive into their true meaning; you will also benefit yourselves by the lectures of your preceptor, and by pondering on them in your own mind; as also by your constant practice of ignoring the visibles, until you come to know the invisible One. 3. It is by means of your habitual dispassionateness, your acquaintance with the sástras and their meanings, and your hearing the lectures of the spiritual teachers; as well as your own conviction that you can gain the holy state (for it is your confidence only), whereby you can come to it. 4. It is also by your enlightened understanding too, when it is acute and unbiased, that you can attain to that everlasting state of felicity, without the medium of anything else. 5. Ráma said:—Tell me sir, that art acquainted with the past and future; whether one who is employed in the affairs of life, and at the same time is enlightened and situated in his quietude;— 6. And another who remains in his solitary devotion, apart from worldly connections; which of these two has greater merit (_i.e._, whether the social or solitary devotee). 7. Vasishtha replied:—-He who views the association of properties and qualities of things (which constitute all bodies in general), as quite distinct from the soul; enjoys a cool tranquility within himself, which is designated by the name of Samádhi. 8. He who is certain that the visibles bear relation to his mind only, and have no connection with his soul; and remains calm and cool in himself, may be either engaged in business, or sit quietly in his meditation. 9. Both of these are happy souls, as long as they enjoy a cool calmness within themselves; because it is this internal coolness of the soul only, which is the result of great and austere devotion. 10. When a man in his habit of quietude, feels the fickleness of his mind, his habitude then, turns to the reeling of a giddy or mad man. 11. When the sprawling mad man is devoid of desires in his mind; his foolish frolic is then said to resemble the rapturous emotions, and gesticulations of Buddhist mendicants.