SECTION CCIV

"'"Manu said, 'As in a dream this manifest (body) lies (inactive) and the

enlivening spirit in its subtile form, detaching itself from the former,

walks forth after the same manner, in the state called deep slumber (or

death), the subtile form with all the senses becomes inactive and the

Understanding, detached from it remains awake. The same is the case with

Existence and Non-Existence.[683] As when quantity of water is clear,

images reflected in it can be seen by the eye, after the same manner, if

the senses be unperturbed, the Soul is capable of being viewed by the

understanding. If, however, the quantity of water gets stirred, the

person standing by it can no longer see those images. Similarly, if the

senses become perturbed, the Soul can no longer be seen by the

understanding. Ignorance begets Delusion. Delusion affects the mind. When

the mind becomes vitiated, the five senses which have the mind for their

refuge become vitiated also. Surcharged with Ignorance, and sunk in the

mire of worldly objects, one cannot enjoy the sweets of contentment or

tranquillity. The Soul (thus circumstanced), undetached from its good and

evil acts, returns repeatedly unto the objects of the world, in

consequence of sin one's thirst is never slaked. One's thirst is slaked

only when one's sin is destroyed. In consequence of attachment to worldly

objects, which has a tendency to perpetuate itself, one wishes for things

other than those for which one should wish, and accordingly fails to

attain to the Supreme.[684] From the destruction of all sinful deeds,

knowledge arises in men. Upon the appearance of Knowledge, one beholds

one's Soul in one's understanding even as one sees one's own reflection

in a polished mirror. One obtains misery in consequence of one's senses

being unrestrained. One obtains happiness in consequence of one's senses

being restrained. Therefore, one should restrain one's mind by

self-effort from objects apprehended by the senses.[685] Above the senses

is the mind; above the mind is the understanding; above the understanding

is the Soul; above the Soul is the Supreme or Great. From the Unmanifest

hath sprung the Soul; from the Soul hath sprung the Understanding; from

the Understanding hath sprung the Mind. When the Mind becomes associated

with the senses, then it apprehends sound and the other objects of the

senses. He who casts off those objects, as also all that are manifest, he

who liberates himself from all things that arise from primordial matter,

being so freed, enjoys immortality.[686] The Sun rising diffuses his

rays. When he sets, he withdraws unto himself those very rays that were

diffused by him. After the same manner, the Soul, entering the body,

obtains the fivefold objects of the senses by diffusing over them his

rays represented by the senses. When, however, he turns back, he is said

to set by withdrawing those rays unto himself.[687] Repeatedly led along

the path that is created by acts, he obtains the fruits of his acts in

consequence of his having followed the practice of acts.[688] Desire for

the objects of the senses keeps away from a person who does not indulge

in such desire. The very principle of desire, however, leaves him who has

beheld his soul, which, of course, is entirely free from desire.[689]

When the Understanding, freed from attachment to the objects of the

senses, becomes fixed in the mind, then does one succeed in attaining to

Brahma, for it is there that the mind with the understanding withdrawn

into it can possibly be extinguished. Brahma is not an object of touch,

or of hearing, or of taste, or of sight, or of smell, or of any deductive

inference from the Known. Only the Understanding (when withdrawn from

everything else) can attain to it. All objects that the mind apprehends

through the senses are capable of being withdrawn into the mind; the

mind can be withdrawn into the understanding; the Understanding can be

withdrawn into the Soul, and the Soul into the Supreme.[690] The senses

cannot contribute to the success of the mind. The mind cannot apprehend

the Understanding. The Understanding cannot apprehend the manifested

Soul. The Soul, however, which is subtile, beholds those all.'"'"

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 · 第 203 / 367 章