24. She is the ravisher of his heart, and dispeller of the gloom of his mind, by reason of her loving kindness to him; she is the delight and delighter of his soul, and is ever a faithful helpmate unto him. 25. He has another consort by name of _Samata_ (_i.e._ of the same mind) with herself; who is dear to his heart, and keeps at the door to his house, and pleases him by her very appearance. 26. She fixes her mind always, at the mansions of virtue and patience; and runs before and guides the steps of her emburdened lord, to the abode of the blessed and felicitous. 27. That strong man has another wife named Maitri or friendship, whom he bears along with _Samata_ on his either shoulder; and who advises him how to quell the enemies of his king’s states (in royal service). 28. She is his clever counsellor in all honourable acts, and gave proof of the veracity of her advices; by augmenting his wealth and rendering him honourable before all. 29. Being thus employed in the discharge of his duties, in the circle of his friends, family and advisers, the sapient man <is> always pleased in himself, and never frets nor grumbles at any person or anything whatever. 30. The wise man ever remains as he is, silent and sedate in his mind; he remains always as unmoved as a picture in painting; though he may be moving about in the ordinary affairs of life. 31. He remains as dumb as a stone in fruitless discussions; and feigns himself as a deaf man in useless conversation. 32. He continues as a dead body, in acts which are against the social usage; but in conversations regarding polity and good manners, he is as eloquent as the wise Brihaspati, and as fluent as the snake Vásuki (with its hundred tongues). 33. When engaged in some righteous discourse, he exposes the fallacy of sophistical reasoners; and clears all doubts in a moment, by the versatility of his conversation on various subjects all at once. 34. He is tolerant and magnanimous, bounteous and charitable; he is pliant and gentle, sweet in his speech and handsome in his look, and famed for his pious acts. 35. Such is the character of enlightened men of their own nature, and no practice nor education can ever make any one as such; as the sun and moon and fire are bright by themselves, and there is none and nothing else, that can ever make them shine. CHAPTER CLXXI. MEDITATION OF PURE VACUUM. Argument:--On the nihility of the Phenomenal, and substantiality of the Noumenal vacuum. Vasishtha resumed and said:--It is the manifestation of our vacuous consciousness, that exhibits the phenomenal world unto us; whereas there is in reality no such thing as this world, or its appearance, or a vacuum in nature or a thing as consciousness in ourselves.