30. I am nothing myself, but belong to the all pervading essence of Brahma, it is by means of the divine spirit, that the body appears as something and utters the word I etc. 31. The soul that is of the nature of pure consciousness, and not subject to the contrary sense (of its materiality), hath neither its desire for enjoyments or liberation; and so also they that know the Lord, have nothing else to desire. 32. The bondage and liberation of men, being dependent to their own dispositions; it is folly to foster a great ambition here, as it is foolishness to look for a sea in a cow’s hoof-hole on the ground. 33. It is by restraining our natures, and mitigation of our wants, that it is possible for us to obtain our liberation here; or else no riches nor friends nor any of our endeavours, can serve to bring about the emancipation that is so eagerly sought by us. 34. The Intellect is stretched over all our thoughts about this imaginary world, as a drop of oil spreads over and diffuses itself in circles upon the surface of water. 35. As the scenes seen in a dream, seem pleasant in their recollection in the waking state; so the wise sage sees the worldly sights and his egoism also in the same light of a dream. 36. By practice of the conditions of yoga meditations alone, that the impressions of the world are so effaced from the mind, as not to leave behind any trace of them, save that of an infinite and still vacuity. 37. Whenever the true nature of the soul, appears with its solar blaze within us; it then dispels the mists of our irrational appetites, and displays an empty nihility of all entity. 38. After the desires are dead and gone and the understanding is cleared from its ignorance, the soul shines forth with the light of a burning lamp within us. CHAPTER XL. ON THE QUIESCENCE OF THE SOUL. Argument:—God is not manifest in the world, nor is the world manifested in God; but both these appear by turns in the soul of the living-liberated person. Vasishtha continued:—The sight of things, actions of the mind, the internal faculties and perceptions of the senses, being all of a superphysical nature, the true states of these categories are far removed from our knowledge, and present but a faint appearance of theirs unto us. 2. The minuteness of the superphysical or in totals, is outstretched in the forms of external or physical objects; but this extended appearance of the outer world, is a mere error (and creation of our false imagination). 3. But when this external nature disappears and subsides in the inner soul, it is then that this phenomenal world is absorbed like a dream in the sound sleeping state of the soul. 4. Our enjoyments and our greatest ailments on earth, and our kindred and relations are our strongest bondages here; our wealth is for our bale and woe, therefore hold yourself to yourself alone (and mind not about all others).