8. The practical yoga by the regulation of respiration, appears as too arduous a task to some persons, while proficiency in knowledge seems to be too difficult of attainment to others. But to my understanding the ascertainment of truth by theoretical knowledge seems to be far better than practice. (The theoretical meditation is known as the _rája yoga_, and the forced contraction of the breath is called the _hatha yoga_ or forced devotion, and is the device of Dattátreya who was an ancient Rishi also). 9. Ignorance is ever ignorant of truth, which does not lend its light to us in either our walking or sleeping states. So the ignorant practiser is always in ignorance both when he is in his meditative trance [Sanskrit: yogavidyá] or otherwise; but knowledge is always knowing, both when the knower is awake or asleep. 10. The practical yoga which stands in need of fixed attention, painful postures, and proper times and places, is impossible to be practiced, owing to the difficulty of getting all these advantages at all times. 11. I have thus described to you, O Ráma! both the two kinds of yoga propounded in the sástras, and the superiority of the pure knowledge, which fills the intellect with its unfading light. 12. The regulation of the breathings, the firmness of the body and dwelling in sequestered cells, are all I ween as pregnant of consummation--_siddhi_; but say, which of these is capable of giving knowledge [Sanskrit: vritti] to the understanding, which is the greatest perfection in human nature. 13. Now Ráma! if you think it possible for you, to sit quiet with utter suppression of your breaths and thoughts; then can you attempt to sit in your sedate posture of meditation without uttering a single word. CHAPTER XIV. NARRATIVE OF BHUSUNDA AND DESCRIPTION OF MOUNT MERU. Argument.--Vasishtha's visit to Meru in expectation of seeing Bhusunda and his description of the Mountain. Vasishtha related:--The vast universe, O Ráma! is but an evolution of the will of the Infinite Brahmá, just as the various representations in the mirage, are but eversions of solar rays. (Or these are the reflexions of the self-same Deity, as the Fata Morgana are the reflex of solar light). 2. Here the divine Brahmá that is born of the lotiform navel of Brahmá, takes the title of the creator and preserver of all, that has been produced by the supreme spirit; and is called also the great father of all, for his producing the prime progenitors of mankind. (Here Brahmá resembles Adam of the scriptures). 3. This divine being brought me forth from his mind, where fore I am called the _mánasaputra_ or progeny of the mind, of the mind of this holy personage. He made me settle first in the fixed polar circle of the starry frame, I viewed the revolutions of the planetary spheres, and the successive Manvantaras before me. (The Manus were all the progeny of the divine mind, whence they bear their name of Manu or mind-born).