The Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 3 (of 4), Part 2 (of 2)

by Valmiki

56. I will neither excite nor prevent, nor praise or blame thee for aught thou doest; but leave thee at thy full liberty, to do whatever thou best choosest for thyself.

57. Chúdálá replied:—If it is so as you say, then hear me tell you what is best to be done by you at present; you are to set yourself to imitate the conduct of living-liberated persons, and set yourself released from your ignorance, by knowing the unity of the Deity, pervading all things in every place.

58. We are both as devoid of desires, as the empty void of the sky is without its population; but that which I wish to do is what you do not wish at all. (i.e. I wish to manage the state, which you dislike to do).

59. Say what man is there, who neglects his life and livelihood, and remains only, in his intellect? (No one can make his intellectual culture without having his life and living). And as there are three stages of human life, namely, its beginning or boyhood, its middle or youth, and its end or old age, and we being situated in the midst of it, must do the duties appertaining to this state, before we proceed to the last stage of our being.

60. And as we are by birth the prince and princess of a realm, it is paramount on us to rule our state, and pass our days in the discharge of the duties of our royalty until our end.

61. Sikhidhwaja said:—Tell me, O fickle minded lady, what you mean by the three stages; and how we stand at the midmost one, without having a whit to care for the final one.

62. Chúdálá replied:—Know prince, that we are royal personages by births, and must all along continue as such from the first to the last stage of our lives.

63. Why then do you allow the imbecility and hermitage of old age, to overtake you in the prime of your youth; when it is your duty to remain in your city and palace, and govern your princely state.

64. And then I will reign there as thy consort queen, and crown the ladies in the royal apartment; and all young maidens of the city will dance about in jovialty, to see their prince and princess again in the royal palace.