22. O Ráma! that art fraught with all admirable qualities, and endued with the high power of reason; keep thyself steady in the acts of goodness, and never may the erroneous cares of this world betake thee in thy future life.
YOGA VÁSISHTHA.
BOOK V.
THE UPASAMA KHANDA ON QUIETISM.
CHAPTER I.
THE ÁHNIKA OR DAILY RITUAL.
Argument. The Book on calm quiet and rest, necessarily follows those of Creation and sustentation; as the sleeping time of night succeeds the working time of the Day, and as the rest of God followed his work of Creation and supportance.
Vasishtha said:—Hear me, Ráma, now propose to you the subject of quietude or rest, which follows that of Existence and sustentation of the universe; and the knowledge of which will lead you to nirvána or final extinction (as the evening rest, leads to sound sleep at night, and quietude is followed by quietus).
2. Válmíki says:—As Vasishtha was delivering his holy words, the assembly of the princes remained, as still as the starry train, in the clear sky of an autumnal night.
3. The listening princes looking in mute gaze, at the venerable sage amidst the assembly, resembled the unmoving lotuses looking at the luminous sun from their breathless beds.
4. The princesses in the harem forgot their joviality, at hearing the sermon of the sage; and their minds became as cool and quiet as in the long absence of their consorts.
5. The fanning damsels with flappers in their hands, remained as still as a flock of flapping geese resting on a lotus-bed; and the jingling of the gems and jewels on their arms, ceased like the chirping of birds on the trees at night.