68. The sophist that discomfits the silent sage with his sophistry, can never expect to see the light of spiritual knowledge to gleam upon him (spirituality is got by silent meditation and not by wrangling).
69. The Being that is beyond our perception and conception, and without any designation or indication; can be only known in our consciousness of him, and not by any kind of reasoning or argumentation.
70. The Being that is without any attribute, or sight or symbol of his nature, is purely vacuous and entirely inconceivable by us, save by means of our spiritual light of him.
CHAPTER CLXXXXVI.
Story of a Wood-Cutter and his Gem.
Argument:—Illustration of the efficacy of knowledge derived from Books and Preceptors. In the story of the Wood-cutter, and his obtaining a precious Gem.
Válmíki relates:—After the lotus-eyed Ráma, had said these words, he fell into a trance and remained silent, with his mind reposing in the state of supreme bliss. (The ecstatic state of rapture and transport of the devout).
2. He felt himself supremely blest at his repose in the Supreme spirit, and then awaking after a while from his holy trance, he wistfully asked his sagely preceptor, saying:—
3. Ráma said:—O Venerable sir, that art the dispeller of my doubts, as the clear autumn is the scatterer of dark clouds; that the doubt which had so long rankled in my breast, has at last quite set at rest.
4. I find this knowledge of mine to be the best and greatest of all, and capable of saving me from the boisterous ocean of this world; it transcends all other doctrines, which are mere verbiology to ensnare the heedless minds of men.
5. If all this is certainly the very Brahma, and our consciousness of him; then O Venerable sir, he must be unspeakable and inexpressible in words, even by the most learned and wisest of men.