37. As the intellect thinks in itself, it beholds the same within itself; so it goes on thinking in its habitual mode, and is never destroyed of itself (or) without being ever destroyed in its essence.
38. It sees the world in itself, and is likewise conscious of its freedom; it knows all what is pleasurable or painful, without changing itself from its unalterable nature at any time or place.
39. By the knowledge of its embodiment, it is liable to delusions; but by knowledge of its true nature, it becomes acquainted with its own freedom.
40. There is nothing whatever, that rises or sets (i.e. is produced or destroyed) at any time or place; but every thing is contained in the sole and self-existent intellect, and is displayed in its clear and vacuous sphere.
41. There is nothing, that is either real or unreal in the world; but every thing is taken in the same light, as it is displayed unto one by the intellect.
42. Whatever the intelligent soul thinks in itself in this world, it retains the ideas of the same in the mind. Every thing is judged by one’s consciousness of it, as the same thing is thought as poison by one, what is believed to be nectar by another.
CHAPTER LXXXXVII.
On the Rarity and Retiredness of Religious Recluses.
Argument:—The truth of catholicity, carnality of Worldly people, and the retirement and Resignation of the godly.
Vasishtha continued:—The world which is but a vision of the supreme soul, and situated in the vacuity of the Divine mind, appears in our consciousness, as the ectype of Brahma himself.
2. The delusion of the visionary world, being too palpable to our view, has kept the supreme spirit quite out of our sight; as the spirit of the wine is kept hid in the liquor, though it can never be lost.