25. So the mind dwells with unreal dualities, as long as it is ignorant to the transcendent reality; but as it becomes acquainted with the true unity, he is sure to be united with it (by forsaking his dualistic creed). 26. When the ignorant mind, comes to know the supreme felicity, which attends on the state of its self-extinction or nirvána; it is ready to resort to it, as the inland stream runs to join the boundless sea. 27. So long doth the mind roam bewildered, in its repeated births in the tumultuous world; as it does not find its ultimate bliss in the Supreme; unto whom it may fly like a bee to its honeycomb. 28. Who is there that would forget his spiritual knowledge, having once known its bliss; and who is there that forsakes the sweet, having had once tasted its flavour. Say Ráma, who would not run to relish the delicious draughts, which pacifies all our woes and pains, and prevents our repeated births and deaths, and puts an end to all our delusions in this darksome world. CHAPTER LXXXVI. THE CONVERTIBILITY OF THE WORLD TO THE SUPREME SPIRIT. Argument:—The huge body of Rudra, that absorbs the world in it, is at last dissolved in empty air and vacuity. Vasishtha added:—Hear now Ráma, how this whole world resides in the infinite void; and how the airy Rudra which rises from it, is freed from his deluded body, and finds his final rest in it. 2. As I stood looking on upon that block of stone, I beheld the aerial Rudra and the two upper and nether worlds, marked over it (as in a map), and remaining quite at rest. 3. Then in a moment that airy Rudra, beheld the two partitions of the earth and sky within the hollow of vacuum, with his eye balls blazing as the orb of the sun. 4. Then in the twinkling of an eye, and with the breath of his nostrils, he drew the two partitions unto him, and threw them in the horrid abyss of his mouth. 5. Having then devoured both the divisions of the world, as if they were a morsel of bread or paste food to him; he remained alone as air, and one with the universal air or void about him. 6. He then appeared as a piece of cloud, and then as a small stick, and afterwards as little as digit. (A stick is the measure of cubit, and a digit is that of a span). 7. I beheld him afterwards to become transparent as a piece of glass, which at last became as minute as to melt into the air, and vanish altogether from my microscopic sight. 8. Being reduced to an atom, it disappeared at once from view; and like the autumnal cloud became invisible altogether. 9. In this manner did the two valves of heaven (the earth and sky), wholly disappear from my sight; the wonders of which I had erelong been viewing with so much concern and delight. 10. The cosmos being thus devoured as grass by the voracious deer; the firmament was quite cleared of everything, it became as pellucid, calm and quiet as the serene vacuum of Brahma himself.