Argument:—The Breaking and Rejoining of the Court and the dissolution of the Ignorance of Bhása and his Liberation in Life.
Válmíki related:—As Vipaschit was going on saying these things, the sun wishing to put an end to his speech, proceed with his rapid strides to enlighten another world.
2. Loud trumpets gave the alarum of the departing day, and filled the air on all sides with their swelling sound: and all the quarters of heaven seemed to re-echo in their joy, the fanfare of victory.
3. The king Dasaratha gave Vipaschit, many gifts in money, maidservants and houses; and bestowed on him many rich and royal presents worthy of kings, and then rose from his seat.
4. The king, Ráma and Vasishtha, having taken leave of the assembly, and saluted one another in their proper order, retired to their respective abodes.
5. Then having bathed and refreshed themselves, they passed the night in ease and repose; then resorted to the assembly in the morning, and were seated in their respective seats.
6. The sage Vasishtha then resumed the subject of the last discourse; and spoke his sweet words with such complacence of his countenance, as if the comely moon was shedding her ambrosial beams, from her bright and cooling face.
7. Let me tell you, O king, that Vipaschit has not been able with all his endeavours, to ascertain the true nature of Ignorance; nor is it an error of the mind which makes the unreal appear as real.
8. The nature of Ignorance as long as it is unknown, appears to be eternal and endless; but being understood, it proves to be as null and nothing, as the limpid water in a mirage.
9. You have already heard, O wise monarch, the narration of Bhása the minister of Vipaschit; and shall now hear of his liberation in his living state.