SELF-DISPARAGEMENT.
Seeing the world thus ingulphed amidst the abyss of hundreds of rising
dangers and difficulties, my mind is immerged in the mire of anxieties.
2. My mind is wandering everywhere and I am struck with fear at every
thing; my limbs are shaking with fear like the leaves of a withered
tree.
3. My mind is bewildered by impatience for its want of true
contentment, just as a young woman is afraid in a desert for want of
the company of her strong handed husband.
4. The thoughts of my mind are entangled in my desire for worldly
enjoyments, as stags are caught in the pit strewn with grass over it.
5. The senses of an unreasonable man, ever run astray to the wrong and
never turn to the right way; so the eyes of a blind man lead him but to
fall into the pit.
6. Human thoughts are linked to the animal soul as consorts to their
lords. They can neither sit idle nor ramble at liberty, but must remain
as wives under the control of their husbands.
7. My patience is almost worn out, like that of a creeper under the
winter frost. It is decayed, and neither lives nor perishes at once.
8. Our minds are partly settled in worldly things, and partly fixed
in their giver (the Supreme soul). This divided state of the mind is
termed its half waking condition.
9. My mind is in a state of suspense, being unable to ascertain the
real nature of my soul. I am like one in the dark, who is deceived by
the stump of a fallen tree at a distance, to think it a human figure.
10. Our minds are naturally fickle and wandering all about the earth.
They cannot forsake their restlessness, as the vital airs cannot
subsist without their motion.
11. Tell me Oh sage, what is that state of life which is dignified
above others, which is unassociated with the troubles (incident to
birth and death), unqualified by the conditions of humanity, and apart
from errors, and wherein griefs are unknown.
12. (Tell me also) how Janaka and the other good men, who are
conspicuous for their ceremonious acts, and distinguished for their
good conduct, have acquired their excellence (in holy knowledge).
13. (Tell me likewise) Oh source of my honor, how a man, who is
besmeared all over his body with the dirt of worldliness, may yet be
cleansed and get rid of it.
14. Tell me what is that knowledge, by resorting to which, the serpents
of worldliness, may be freed from their worldly crookedness, and become
straight in their conduct.
15. Tell me how the foulness of my heart may regain its clearness,
after it is so much soiled by errors and tainted with evils, like a
lake disturbed by elephants and polluted with dirt.
16. How is it possible for one engaged in the affairs of the world, to
be untainted with its blemishes, and remain as pure and intact as a
drop of water on the lotus leaf.
17. How may one attain his excellence by dealing with others as with
himself, and minding the goods of others as straws, and by remaining
aloof from love.
18. Who is that great man that has got over the great ocean of the
world, whose exemplary conduct (if followed) exempts one from misery.
19. What is the best of things that ought to be pursued after, and what
is that fruit which is worth obtaining? Which is the best course of
life in this inconsistent world.
20. Tell me the manner by which I may have a knowledge of the past and
future events of the world, and the nature of the unsteady works of its
creator.
21. Do so, that my mind which is as the moon in the sky of my heart,
may be cleared of its impurities.
22. Tell me what thing is most delectable to the mind, and what most
abominable to it; as also how this fickle and inconstant mind may get
its fixedness like that of a rock.
23. Tell me what is that holy charm, which can remove this cholic pain
of worldliness, that is attended with numberless troubles.
24. Tell me how can I entertain within my heart, the blossoms of the
arbor of heavenly happiness, that sheds about it the coolness of the
full-moon beams.
25. Oh ye good men! that are present and learned in divine knowledge,
teach me so that I may obtain the fullness of my heart, and may not
come to grief and sorrow any more.
26. My mind is devoid of that tranquility which results chiefly from
holy happiness, and is perplexed with endless doubts, that disturb my
peace as the dogs molest smaller animals in the desert.