Sri Valmiki
The Kings, shining like moon, went to their houses/palaces and performed the daily ablutions and rituals.
Similarly Vasista, Rama, the munis and Brahmins performed the rituals prescribed by scriptures
-6 They bathed in beautiful lakes full of birds like 'sarasa', 'hamsa', 'chakrawaka' and lotuses of blue and blood red colours. They gifted cows, lands, gold and house appliances to brahmins. They later worshipped Vishnu, Sun, Agni, Maheswara and such gods. And later they partook of appropriate meals in the company of their family members, friends and servants.
-12 By that time only the eight part of the day remined. Then they engaged themselves in listening to the discourses on scriptures and puranas By this time the sun went down in the west. They performed the evening ritual, and sang in praise of their gods. Then it became night. Then all the members of the Raghu family took to their beds and slowly sank into sleep. Except Sri Rama the rest were in deep sleep.
-17 . Sri Rama started ruminating about the discourse of Sage Vasista. He thought- what is this cycle of existence? Who are these human beings? Why do they come and go (vanish)? What is the configuration of mind? How does it get quietened? Where from did this 'maya' arise? How can this be avoided? If it is not avoided, what is the problem? How did the Self fall into this narrow, shrivelling kind of context? What did the Sage say about conquering senses, annihilation of mind and realising self?
-19 . Self alone is fostering the emergence and growth of Jiva, mind, maya and this mutable world. If mind, which is binding them with a string, can be conquered and annihilated, all grief will disappear. What is the best way to effect this annihilation?
How can I wean away and separate the intellect encaged by the clouds of sensuous pleasures, like a swan which separates water from milk?
It is almost impossible to get away from pleasures But without casting them off, calamities cannot be avoided. What distress (I am in)?
This world is mind only. whatever benefit accrues in this world is no big deal. It is merely like a Yaksha (imagined by) a child.
When one attains perfect peace, with the delusion of the mutable world fleeing away, he will not think of anything else, like a lady who gets her beloved.
When will my mind be purified, with all agitation quietened and the endless inquisitiveness moving out (of me) and I rest in peace?
When will I wander in this world after ascending to that full moon - cool state?
When will I merge in my Self, discarding the mind of useless imagination? When will I attain that peace? It will be like waves slipping into their waters.
This world is agitated by the waves of desire. It is polluted by the crocodiles of expectations and hopes. When will I cross this and be without any fever (of agitation)?
When will I become pure with quietitude and attain the state of discrinination like the seekers and become free from sorrow and develop attitude of equality?
This world is gilded with all minerals and elements. It is thus fearful. It is beset with continuous movement. When will this fever vanish (from me)?
O discriminating intelligence, when will you make this mind free of anguish and distress, like a lamp in still atmosphere, and make it totally quiet?
When will these sorrow - ridden senses, which burn the beings, cross the ocean of 'samsara', like Garuda crossing the oceans with ease?
'I am this body' - foolish people worry with such useless thoughts. When will such autumn clouds disperse and disappear?
Even the garlands of 'mandara' flowers appear like garlands of grass to me. I am now awaiting the attainment of that Supreme Self.
Oh mind! tell me when you will arrive at the high state of Truth perception, leaving aside attachements and delusions.
Alas! this mind is fit to be the feast of a python. I will not again talk of son, father and mother. This mind feeds on griefs.
Oh my dear sister, 'Buddhi'! listen to this prayer of your brother (myself). Deliberate on the words of sage Vasista. Both of us will then be liberated.
Oh my good daughter (-like) mind! I beseech you. Steady yourself to cut asunder this mutable, mundane world.
-39 . Oh mind, sage Vasista told (us) about dispassion and later on about the behavior of a seeker. Then he dwelt upon creation and its beginnings. He talked about 'Sthiti' (the survival) of creation with beautiful illustations and examples. They are all full of knowledge and experience, easy for those who are equipped for it. Recall, recollect and muse about them.
If one's intellect does not accept what is deliberated upon by mind, then no useful result will ensue from such inquiry. It will be like the autumn clouds which fritter away (with the least breeze around). Mind and intellect should act together to become fruitful.
