SECTION VI.
Parāçara said:—The Purusottama is also known by holy study and devout meditation; and either, as the cause of attaining him, is entitled Brahma. From study let a man proceed to meditation and from meditation to study; by perfection in both supreme spirit becomes manifest. Study is one eye wherewith to behold it and meditation is the other: he who is identical with Brahma sees not with the eye of flesh.
Maitreya said:—"Revered preceptor, I am desirous to know what is meant by the term Yoga, by understanding which I may behold the supreme being, the upholder of the universe".
Parāçara:—I will repeat to you, O Maitreya, the explanation formerly given by Kesidhwaja to the high-minded Khāndikya also called Janaka.
Maitreya: "Tell me, first. Brahman, who Khāndikya was, and who was Kesidhwaja; and how it happened that a conversation relating to the practice of Yoga occurred between them".
Parāçara. There was Janaka named Dharmadhwaja who had two sons Amitadhwaja and Kritadhwaja; and the latter was a king ever devoted to the existent supreme spirit; his son was the celebrated Kesidhwaja. The son of Amitadhwaja was Janaka called Khāndikya. Khāndikya was diligent and celebrated on earth for pious observances. Kesidhwaja on the other hand was gifted with spiritual knowledge. These two were engaged in hostilities and Khāndikya was driven from his principality by Kesidhwaja. Expelled from his dominions he wandered with a few followers, his priest and his counsellors, amidst woods and mountains where destitute of true wisdom, he performed many sacrifices expecting thereby to obtain divine truth and to escape from death by ignorance.
Once on a time, while Kesidhwaja, the best of those who are skilled in devotion, was engaged in devout practices a fierce tiger slew his milch cow in the lonely forest. When the Raja heard that the cow had been killed he asked the ministering priests what sort of penance would expatiate the crime. They said that they did not know and referred him to Kaseru. And consulted by the king Kaseru told him that he did not know and Sunaka would be able to tell him. Accordingly the Raja went to Sunaka; but he said too. "I am as unable, O great king, to answer your question as Kaseru has been; there is no one on earth who can give you the information except your enemy Khāndikya, whom you have vanquished".
Being thus accosted Kesidhwaja said:—"I will go then and pay a visit to my enemy; no matter, if he kill me, for I shall then obtain the reward that attends being slain in a holy cause; whereas if on the other hand he tells me what penance to perform then my sacrifice will be unimpaired in efficacy". Accordingly he ascended his car, having clothed himself in the deerskin and went to the forest where the wise Khāndikya lived. When Khāndikya saw him approach his eyes reddened with ire and he took up his bow and said to him "You have armed yourself with deerskin to bring about my destruction thinking that in such a dress you will be safe from me; but fool, the deer upon whose backs this skin is seen are slain by you and me with sharp arrows so I will slay you; you shall not go free whilst I am living. You are an unprincipled felon, who have robbed me of my kingdom and are deserving of death". To this Kesidhwaja replied: "I have come here Khāndikya, to consult you about my doubts and not with any hostile intention; lay aside therefore both your arrow and anger". Thus addressed Khāndikya retired for a while, with his counsellors and his priest and consulted with them what course to adopt. They strongly urged him to slay Kesidhwaja who was in his grasp and by whose death he would again become the monarch of the whole world. Khāndikya replied to them: "It is undoubtedly true that by such an act I would become the monarch of the whole world but he would thereby conquer the next world: whilst the earth would be mine. And if I do not slay him I shall conquer the world to come and leave him this earth. It appears to me that this world is not so much valuable as the next: for the subjugation of the next world continues for ever while the conquest over this is but temporary. I will therefore not kill him but tell him what he wishes to know".
Coming accordingly to Kesidhwaja, Khāndikya asked him to propose his question which he promised to answer. And Kesidhwaja related to him what had taken place, that death of the cow and desired to know what penance be should perform. Khāndikya, in reply, explained to him fully the expiation that was suited to the occasion; and then with his permission Kesidhwaja returned to the place of sacrifice and regularly fulfilled every necessary act. Having completed the ceremony with its supplementary rites Kesidhwaja accomplished all his objects: but he then reflected thus "The priests whom I invited to attend have all been duly honoured; all those who had any request to make have been pleased with my complying with their desires; all that is proper for this world has been effected by me; why then my mind should feel as if my duty had been unfulfilled". Thinking this he remembered that he had not presented to Khāndikya the gift that it is proper to offer to a spiritual preceptor and mounting his chariot he immediately started for the dense forest where the sage resided. Upon his reappearance Khāndikya took up arms to slay him; but Kesidhwaja exclaimed "Forbear, venerable sage; I have not come hither injure you; throw off your wrath, Khāndikya, know that I have come here to offer you that present which is due to you as my instructor. Through your lesson I have fully completed my sacrifice and I am therefore desirous to give you a gift. Demand what it shall be".
Having once more consulted his counsellors, Khāndikya told them the purpose of his rival's visit and asked them what he should demand. His friends recommended him to take back his whole kingdom for prudent men acquire them without conflicting hosts. The king Khāndikya reflecting laughed and said to them "Why should a person like me be desirous of a temporary earthly kingdom? Indeed you are very good advisers as regards the present worldly affairs—but you are undoubtedly ignorant of the life to come". Saying this he returned to Kesidhwaja and said to him "Is it true that you wish to make me a gift as to your preceptor?" "Indeed I do" answered Kesidhwaja. Whereto Khāndikya replied "Then, as it is known that you are learned in the spiritual learning that teaches the doctrine of the soul, if you will communicate that knowledge unto me you will have discharged your debt to your preceptor. Communicate unto me what acts are efficacious for the alleviation of human sufferings".