Sri Vasista

1. O Rāma, those greats who are born with the qualities of ‘rajasa and satturic’ are always in delight and shine like the moon in sky.

2. Grief does not come near them.  They never get into the sadness of any calamity.  It is like sky which is never touched by any filth.  Golden lotus will not fade even in night.

3. They do not desire anything other than what their nature can give.  They enjoy their good conduct (guided by tradition).  It is like the generous trees which give fruits and flowers to others.

4. They are always flooded with the flow of the qualities of ‘rajas’ and ‘sattwa’ which can lead them to liberation.  It is like the beautiful moon filled with nectar.

5. They do not get depressed by calamity, like moon who is not bothered by his coolness.  They shine, by their very nature, with friendliness and such qualities.

6. They are like creepers enchanting with fresh blossoms.  They are always gentle, kind, amicable and equal in their conduct.

7. -8. They are like you, always appropriate in behaviour.  And so, one should attempt to reach the state of perfection like them.  And so, follow their path without any hesitation.

9. These people increase and develop due to the knowledge of self.  To reach that condition one should read and understand critically the scriptures repeatedly.

10. Constantly becoming and keeping oneself aware of the inconstancy and temporal nature of the world, one should work and at in this world.

11. To think that objective nature is calamitous is proper for a wise mind.  Discard incoherent and unintegrated perception.

12. -15. One should inquire in a way that will lead to that Infinite Truth – ‘O Lord, who am I?  How did this pompous display of this phenomenal world arise?’.  An intelligent person should inquire into these questions in the company of wise and learned people.  Do not be bound by destiny and purposeless activity.  Cut asunder from likes and dislikes.  Deliberate on your ego, and the body and the role of relatives and friends.  They do not help crossing the ocean of ‘samsāra’.  Enquire yourself into truth and perceive it.

16. -20. It is best to disregard this unstable and transient body.  Look for that transcendent which is like the string connecting all pearls.  All of this world is woven into one by that Eternal, all immanent, the source of all states of existence, the most auspicious one.  In this vast world, in the sky, and in everything that consciousness is abiding.  O sinless one, just like the space in several pots being the same, consciousness is the same in everything.  When oneness is experienced where is differentiation and division?

21. -24. When that Absolute is in everything, it is not proper to say ‘this is born, this is dead’.  What is born and then dead cannot be reality.  O Rama, what you are seeing is all the reflection of that Absolute Consciousness.  Why are you then, Rama, not abandoning this net of delusion?  What ever little attachment remains the reason for that is delusion only.