10. He who has known the supreme soul, has found within himself a delight; resembling the cooling beams of the full bright moon; and being possest of the full knowledge of the essence of all things in the three worlds, performs his parts in a manner as he did not attend to them.
[CHAPTER CXXVI.]
Description of the Spiritual state.
Argument:—The seven stages of yoga Meditation, and the true state of spirituality.
RÁMA said:—Tell me sir, the practices of the seven stages of yoga; and the characteristics of yogis in every stage.
2. Vasishtha related:—Know Ráma, mankind to be divided into two classes of the zealous and resigned (i.e. the active and the inactive); the one expectant of heavenly reward, and the other inclined to supreme felicity. Know now their different characters as follows:—
3. Those that are addicted to enjoyments, think the quietude of nirvána as nothing to their purpose, and give preference to worldliness above the final bliss of others; and he that acts his part on this sense, is styled an active and energetic man.
4. Such a man of the world bears his resemblance to a tortoise, which though it has its neck well hid in its shell, still stretches it out to drink the salt water of the sea it inhabits; until after many births, he gets a better life for his salvation (as when the tortoise is removed to a lake of fresh water).