42. The sage, who by his diligent self-consultation, has come to know the true nature of himself (_i.e._ of his soul); lives in his lifetime as in the state of dreaming, and deems as an aerial figure of his dream subsisting in empty air. 43. The sage who by his diligent self-cogitation, has come to the knowledge of his own vacuousness; comes to the same knowledge of all nature at large, till at last he comes to reduce and assimilate himself to vacuity. 44. The waking man falls to sleep, and the sleeping person rises to wake again, and in this manner they pass their time in endless turns; but the sound sleeper alone is ever wakeful to his true friend of spirituality (because sound sleep is one’s absorption in the quiet of Divine Spirit). 45. He who having passed his days in this life, in company with his best friend of self-liberation (jívan mukti) in his lifetime; comes to enjoy the sweet companionship of that friend (amurta-mukti), in his future life for a long period of time, he is verily entitled to his perpetual rest and everlasting bliss, in the list of the Divinity itself forever. CHAPTER CLXX. ON THE CONDUCT OF THE SAPIENT MAN. Argument:--Our acts are our best friends and relatives; their virtues and the enjoyments of their fellowship. Ráma said:--Tell me sir, who is that friend with whom he lives, and what is the nature of this enjoyments, whether it is subjective or objective, that is whether derived from within oneself, or from external objects. 2. Vasishtha replied:--Our own conduct alone is our only true friend, whether it is ingenite in our nature, or derived by our extrinsic training and education from others. (The two words _svaprabáha_ and _swapráya_ in the text, are explained in the gloss as _sahaja_--innate and _abhyasta_ or learnt.) 3. Our inborn good conduct is as infallibly and friendly to us, as the natural beneficence of our parents; and our extraneous good behaviour, is as overruling upon us, as the controul and restraints by a faithful wife in the intricate maze of life. 4. A fearless course of life, and a well earned livelihood, and a well regulated mode of living; together with a dispassionate temper and coolness of mind, are replete with unrestricted and ambrosial sweets. 5. An unblemished life acquired from early youth, is able to save a person from all dangers and difficulties in the world, and render him confidential for every trust, and a repository of all wealth and treasures. 6. It is able to preserve men from all evils, as a father prevents his boys from daubing their bodies with dust and dirt; and hinder them from all acts of wickedness. 7. Such a life gives a man the fervour of fire, and the sweet of flowers; it adds a clearness to his mind and countenance, as the sunlight brightens the face of the day. 8. It supports a man as the father feeds and fondles his child, and protects him from every accident, as the father is ever ready to shield his children from all harm.