Sri Vasista
Whether the sea is with waves or is placid (without waves) the liquid character of the sea-water is same, Similarly the character of liberation is same whether a muni is with body or without body.
Whether the liberation is while in body or after losing the body, liberation is from senses.When one does not indulge in pleasures, how-can one get the taste of it?
We are looking at Vyasa, the best of munis and a Jivanmukta only as a physical entity. We are not per- ceiving into his internal personality.
In the case of those who are embodiments of knowl- edge, there is no difference between liberation while in body or without body. It is like water which is the same whether it is in the form of waves or when it is placid.
Whether the air is vibrating or not , air is the same in both cases. Similarly, there is no differnce between lib- eration while in body or without body (Sadeha mukti, Videha mukti)
And so listen to this teaching of mine which is worthy of listening and which dispels the darkness of igno- rance.
O Raghunandana, in this world all desires are achieved only by concentrated human effort.
Only from the moon the cool delight in the heart. Simi- larly by human effort alone, and not by anything else, can one obtain fruits (compatible with desires)
Such a fruit of effort can be directly experienced. Stupids, who are in delusion, do not know that there is nothing called `daivam' (fate,or providential occurence).
To act and follow, in thought, word and deed, the path laid down by (wise) saintly people is human effort. The fruit yielded by such effort is the good fruit (result) The rest is mere madness.
He, who follows such path in all its fulness, will get what he wants-not so when he retracts in the middle.
(With such) human endeavour, some one had obtained the most coveted `Indra hood', The lordship of three worlds.
(With such) human endeavour alone, another ascended to the splendorous lotus-abode of Brahmahood.
Another one attained the state of perfect Purusha, the eagle flagged Vishnu by undiluted and great effort.
Another attained the Sivahood, with the form of `arthanareeswara' with moon as a crestjewel.
This personal action (purushakaram) is of two kinds, : one, of the earlier births and two, of the present birth. One can overcome (or dilute) the fruits of earlier births by actions in the present birth.
People firmly established in practice and devoted to action can digest even Meru movement - what to talk of `destiny' (the fruits of earlier births) !
Personal human effort is to act according to path laid down by `Sastras'. Then the desired fruits will come forth. Any other way is calamitous.
Sometimes, because of a person's (ill-luck) distressed condition, the stiffened fingers can not hold even a drop of water. Sometimes even the earth, surrounded by seas and full of hills and continents, will not be big or broad enough for division (into gifts) worthy of a king.
