55. It is by continued practice, that we attain to the perfection of any thing, according to the dictum of the vedas; therefore must you avoid to attend to all things besides, and concentrate your mind to the object of your practice.
56. Bharadwája rejoined:—Tell me O sage, the course of conduct which Ráma followed, after he had received his knowledge of yoga or uniting his soul with the supreme spirit.
57. By knowing this I will also try to practice upon the same model, that I may succeed to attain to the same state of spiritual elevation and rapture like him.
58. Válmíki said:—When the virtuous and high minded Ráma, was absorbed and sat entranced in the divine essence, it was then that Viswámitra addressed the venerable Vasishta and said.
59. Viswámitra said:—O highly endowed son of Brahmá—wise Vasishtha, you have even now shown the efficacy of your preceptorship, by hypnotising and laying dormant the powers of Ráma.
60. He is verily the best to yoga, who mesmerises the body of his pupil, by his kind look, touch and sound; and causes his inspiration by the infusion of the holy spirit of Siva in him.
61. So it was with Ráma, whose pure soul was dispassionate by its own nature; and whose earnest desire of hebetude led him to that happy state, by means of his conversation with his guru or spiritual guide.
62. It is the intelligence of the student which is the cause of his understanding, by means of the guidance of his spiritual preceptor; but when these three roots or principles are imperfect, how can the understanding arrive to its perfection.
63. It is evident, that knowledge is in need of both the pupil and preceptor for its communication; where both of them are competent and worthy of one another; it is certain that the result will be so likewise (as in Ráma's case). (The commentary adds the good sástras, as the third means of gaining knowledge).