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10.
When the mind moves even a little, that is worldly
bondage [samsara]; when the mind abides
firmly and motionlessly in the state of Self, that
is liberation [mukti]. This is certain.
Therefore know that the wise man must hold his mind
firm by Supreme Self-awareness.
11. The happiness attained in this Aloneness
is the highest, boundless bliss. Which learned
persons will not revel in that Supreme Reality, in
which there is absolutely no action? Tell me.
12. Being rid of the worldly knowledge, the
great hero who has acquired pure wisdom, in which
there are no sense objects, and which is
all-pervading and without any form, will attain
immutable moksha without fail, even though he may
have no desire to attain liberation.
13. The consciousness [chaitanya]
associated with the aspect "am" is called shakti.
The universe shines by Its light. The entire
creation is Shakti's thought [sankalpa].
The state of mind which is completely devoid of all
attachment is the pure [wisdom] to be
attained.
14. The Void which is the Infinite and
all-encompassing one Whole without a second, which
is just the effulgence of pure wisdom, which is
completely devoid of visible phenomena and which
consists of the aspect "I" is the seed which
fructifies as liberation, bestowing salvation by
enabling one to unite with the Supreme.
15. Instead of following this direct path,
do not ever contemplate even in the least upon
chakras [located in six adharas or centres in
the body], nadis [subtle nerves that
produce the ten divine sounds, such as
Pranava], the deities associated with the Lotus
seats [in the adhara chakras, beginning with
Vinayaka], the mantraksharas [potent sound
syllables for the worship of these deities] and
the diverse mandala murtis [the God-aspects,
starting from those controlling the sun, Surya
Mandala, the moon, Chandra Mandala, and fire, Agni
Mandala].
Note: Some aspirants indulge in severe
austerities and arduous practices, mastering
several techniques and incidentally attaining
extraordinary supernatural powers as well. All
these are to be shunned as they do not lead to
ultimate peace and joy. On the other hand, the path
of Kala Jnana described here is a direct path to
mukti.
16. Those who seek everlasting
liberation need not endeavour to practise
repetition and countless verse mantras
[repeating potent scriptural words or texts to
gain various ends], and methods of yoga such as
breath-control [pranayama], breath
retention [kumbhaka] and concentration.
17. There is no room for performing puja
[worship of deities], namaskaram
[paying homage, like prostrating], japa
[incantation], dhyana
[contemplation] and so on. Hear from me
that the highest Truth acclaimed in the
Vedas can be known only through jnana;
hence, there is absolutely no need to know anything
outside of oneself.
18. For those whose minds are constantly
expanding, clinging to external objects, factors
will always arise causing increasing bondage. If
the outward-wandering mind is turned inwards to
stay in its natural state, know that one will not
undergo any suffering in the world.
19. Unite with that One Totality, which is
all-pervasive, which has no inside or outside,
which is bereft of all [concept of]
directions such as above, below and in between,
which assumes all the forms in creation and yet is
Itself formless, which can be known only by Itself,
and which is Self-luminous.
20. People perform their actions having
their own aims in mind, and they accordingly reap
the consequences of their actions by attaining
those aims. Therefore do not engage in such actions
which are not free from flaws [leading to
bondage]. Turn the attention completely away
from external objects and concentrate only upon
That [the Self] which cannot be seen.
21. In our natural state, actions, cause and
result of such actions, and all the various other
theories propounded [in the scriptures] do
not exist. In fact, even the diverse world does not
exist. As such even the worldly individual who is
attached to [the various attractions of]
the world is also nonexistent.
22. This entire universe is nothing but the
niralamba [the Reality which exists without any
support]. Further, it shines being illumined by
the niralamba. The yogi [with his mind turned
inward] merges with this Whole One by making
every object in this world one with it. Know
this.
23. If any person does not meditate on this
great all-pervading Void, which is the space of
consciousness [chidakasa], he will be a
samsari [a worldly individual] forever in
bondage to worldly attachments, like the silkworm
in its self-made cocoon. Understand this.
24. All living beings, of whatever genus,
undergo great misery over and over again. Hear from
me. In order to avert all this suffering and
sorrow, meditate on the great Void constantly
without any break.
25. Good actions and good conduct have been
prescribed only to guide the seeker towards the
path of acquiring knowledge. Therefore, giving up
even Salamba Yoga in which an object [such as a
mantra or a form of God] is meditated upon in
the mind, stay steadfast in your real state
[sahaja swarupa], where the outside world
is not perceived.
26. One who can destroy all the
principles [tattvas] from the nethermost
world to Shakti [one of the highest
tattvas], which are all interdependent, by the
arrow of Sunyabhava [Emptiness] is a man of
great valour. He has attained Supreme wisdom which
is beyond matter.
27. The mind, hankering after things of
the world, is more restless than a monkey. If one
controls it from wandering after external things
and holds it in the Void of non-matter
[Sarvasunya], one will attain liberation
directly.
28.
The full consciousness [purna chit] which
is not other than
the true import of the word "I", being
non-different in all the
principles [tattvas] and being other than
the sense "I am the
body", is the all-pervading Reality.
29. This Complete Wholeness pervades inside
and outside all
creations like ether, merging with them, and is
itself formless.
Dear, those who are submerged in this Supreme
bliss become
that Supreme bliss themselves. See, how
wonderful!
30. The expanding mind will attain peace,
becoming still of
its own accord, if it is deprived of something to
hold on, just
as fire gets extinguished gradually if not fed with
fuel.
31. You must realise that the four states of
infatuation, delusion, swoon [due to shock]
and dreaming, as also sleeping and waking, are all
to be dispelled.
32. If one meditates that the One
consciousness is different from the life-force
[prana], which has subtly attached itself
to this gross body, from the mind, from the
intellect and from the ego, one will become
established in that One consciousness.
33. Due to sleep and due to thoughts the
mind always loses its sharpness, its foolishness
increases, and it goes to ruin. Awakening this mind
with effort, and without allowing it to wander,
establish it in the state of Self. Persevere in
this effort by fixing the mind again and again in
its natural state.
34. When once the mind becomes steady, it
should not be disturbed
in any way. There is no need to think even in
the least of
anything else, entertaining any doubts. Fixing the
mind firmly
in that state [of Self-awareness], keep it
still.
35. Make the mind, which always clings to
some support [sense-objects],
devoid of all such supports. Making
the mind, which is restless in clinging to
external supports,
motionless, do not disturb that tranquillity
even a
little.
36. Meditate on the peerless Self which
pervades all the various forms, yet remains without
any blemish [being unaffected by them],
just as ether, pervading all the creations made up
of the five elements, remains unsullied at the time
of their dissolution.
37. When one adopts the practice by means
of which
one's mind, which is restless like the wind, is
made still
perpetually, then the purpose of taking birth as a
human being
is fulfilled. That is also the mark of a true
scholar.
38. Do not practise meditation by fixing the
mind on the six
adhara chakras, the ones that are up or down or in
the middle,
or anywhere else. Giving up all such
meditations, make
the mind always devoid of any support [either
inside or outside].
39. If the mind falls asleep, awaken it.
Then if it starts wandering,
make it quiet. If you reach the state where there
is neither
sleep nor movement of mind, stay still in That,
the natural
[real] state.
40. The state in which the mind is bereft of
any support to
cling to, ever faultless and pure, and devoid of
worldly attachments,
is the nature of liberation attained through
knowledge. Keep this
firmly in mind.
41. Dispelling all attachments completely,
and fixing that mind
in the Heart firmly, persist in your practice
always in order
to strengthen the awareness, which then shines
forth with
great effulgence and clarity.
42. Know that whoever meditates on that
Supreme Void, and
becomes established in It by virtue of constant
practice, will
definitely attain the Great state which is beyond
birth and death.
43. Gods and goddesses, merits, demerits and
their fruits, which
are likewise anya [other than oneself],
objects of attachment
and the knowledge of those objects – all
these will
lead one to bondage in mighty samsara.
44. All objects of attachments are said to
be pairs of opposites
[happiness and misery, good and bad, profit
and loss,
victory and defeat, and so on]. When one rises
above those
pairs of opposites, one realises the Supreme. Such
a yogi is a
jivanmukta, liberated from bondage. On
discarding the
body, he becomes a videhamukta.
45. A wise man should not give up the body
out of aversion to
it. Know that when once the prarabdha karma
[result of accumulated
actions] which was responsible for the
creation of
the body ceases, the bodily burden will
automatically fall
off.
46. The consciousness which shines as "I" in
the Heart Lotus is pure [flawless] and
perfectly steady [without a trace of
movement]. By destroying the ego, which rises
[from that consciousness], that
consciousness itself bestows the Supreme joy of
liberation. Be sure about it.
47. With great devotion meditating
constantly that "I am Shiva, the form of the One
consciousness that is always unsullied by any
adjunct", dispel all your attachments.
48. Giving up all notions about country,
caste, blemishless community,
asrama [status as a bachelor, family man,
ascetic or
one who has renounced the world] and associated
matters, hold
on to and practise always meditation upon the Self,
your own
natural state.
49. I alone am. No one belongs to Me; nor do
I belong to anyone
else. I can see no one who can call Me his; neither
can I see
anyone who is mine. I am all alone.
50. Know that the person who experiences the
firm conviction,
"I am the Supreme Brahman, I am the master
and Lord of
the universe!" is the real mukta [one who has
attained liberation],
and that the one following conflicting paths is
in bondage.
51. The day one is able to see oneself with
his inner eye as not the body, all his desires
vanish, and he experiences Perfect peace.
52. He who is described in the scriptures as
the Unborn and Lord, I am He, the Atman
[Self], who is forever without form or
qualities. There is absolutely no doubt about
it.
53. I am pure awareness, immaculate,
perfectly liberated; and forever present
everywhere. I am indeterminable. No one can grasp
Me or leave Me. I am free from sorrow. I am always
brahmamayam [of the nature of Brahman].
54. I am the Self which is consciousness,
Absolute completeness,
deathless and Self-established, and which is
other than this
insentient body, limited between the top of
the head and
the sole of the foot, and which, beginning with
the antahkaranas
[the inner instruments such as mind and
intellect] is
bounded by the covering of the skin.
55. Thinking, "I am the Lord of all
creations, moving or stationary,
I remain as father, mother and father's father for
the universe", aspirants for liberation contemplate
with concentration
and ardour only upon Me, who am that great
Turiya state
[the substratum of the waking, dream and
sleep
states].
56. I am the one who is worshipped through
sacrifices and
penances by all celestial beings beginning with the
creator [Brahma], the heavenly damsels who
are themselves sought after,
humans, yakshas, gandharvas, nagas and other
groups of
superhuman beings, and also by many others. Know
that everyone
worships only Me.
57. By many kinds of rare austerities and
charities, everyone
worships only Me. Know that this vast
creation, moving
and stationary, and all objects, are nothing but
Me, the
Infinite One.
58. I am not the gross body, nor am I the
subtle body. I am also not the causal body. I am
the kinsman of the universe. I am the One who is of
the nature of Transcendental knowledge. I am
moreover the Eternal One, the Lord, the taintless
One, the One who is devoid of the states [of
waking, dream and sleep], the One who is devoid
of the universe.
59. The beginningless consciousness is
Unborn, Whole and, residing forever in its natural
home of the Heart-cave, is without form, world or
impurity. It is beyond comparison and completely
unattached. It cannot be comprehended by the mind
nor can It be seen or felt by the senses.
60. Repeatedly see thus: "I am He, the
Eternal, Omnipresent Reality which is Brahman."
Meditating thus for a long time, whoever abides
imperturbably will become the Supreme Brahman,
thereby attaining Immortality.
61. Having thus explained the nature of
knowledge to enable everyone to attain liberation,
which is always available, I shall now proceed to
describe the conduct to be adopted by seekers.
Noble Lady, listen to them calmly.
62. O Queen among women! Know that bathing
in holy waters, repeating holy names or words
[mantras], performing daily homa
[sacred offering in specially prepared
fire], worship, other oblations in lustrous
fire, or any other means [sadhana] to be
followed after great study, are never required for
him [the earnest aspirant seeking
liberation].
63. Niyamas [strict rules of conduct
such as what to eat, when
to eat, how to eat, what to wear, where to sit and
so on], worship
of deities in sacred places, nama archanas
[worship of
deities by reciting sacred names], pitru karmas
[oblations, etc.,
carried out for the sake of forefathers to help
them reach a
high state], pilgrimage to holy places which
have come forth on
earth, and observance of great vows, are all not
for him, if considered deeply.
64. He does not reap the fruit of actions,
good or bad. Important dates and special
observances zealously followed by the world are not
for him. Give up all actions and all kinds of
worldly codes of conduct.
65. Renounce completely all religious edicts
and disciplines. Since all kinds of action result
in bondage, give up all action plans, mental
conflicts, and attachment to one's caste
duties.
66. Even if the aspirant acquires many kinds
of supernatural powers and magical powers such as
visualising what is buried underneath the earth,
and can demonstrate them before the world, he
should give up mental attachment to them.
67. All these powers [siddhis] are
only bondages to the individual soul. Further they
drag one to follow a low path. The Supreme joy of
liberation does not lie in any of them, but only in
the Infinite consciousness.
68. One must engage unfailingly in yoga
[the practice of Self-abidance] in all
conditions, without allowing any special event to
affect one adversely. If, due to doubts, delusion
arises in the form of attraction to worship in holy
places and temples [on account of past
practices and vasanas], reject it
immediately.
69. Listen to me, Lady! Know that only the
wise man who never does anything which leads to the
destruction of any form of life, such as insects,
worms, animals, birds or plants, is a person who is
seeking true knowledge.
70. He [the true aspirant] should
not pull out tender roots [of fragrant plants,
which is often done for worship]; he should not
even pluck the leaves; he should not harm any
living thing out of anger; he should not
heartlessly pluck even flowers.
71-72. He should worship Lord Shiva using
only flowers that have fallen naturally. He should
not indulge in vile practices such as marana
[causing destruction through the use of certain
mantras], uchadana [driving one out with
the force of mantras], vidveshana [causing
mutual hatred between friends], the well known
sthambana [freezing one's capabilities],
causing fever, putting into action evil spirits,
causing agitation, wrongly taking control of
others, attracting and infatuating others, and so
on. Abandon the worship of stones, wooden objects
and similar articles.
73. Having relinquished the great mudras
which are adopted
in order to fix the mind on the devatas
[deities] residing
in holy places and temples, and the
associated sacrifices,
get rid of the vasanas also which may have
accumulated on account of such practices in the
past, and cling
only to the Self, the all-pervading real
consciousness.
74. Maintain a neutral attitude towards all
things; do not get
infatuated with anything; maintain equanimity
whether in
happiness or suffering; be the same to friends and
enemies; treat
alike a broken piece of mud pot and a piece of
gold.
75. Know that a flawless yogi is one who
does not ever allow
himself to be swayed by desire for the pleasures of
the senses,
who frees himself at heart from mamakara
[treating things
as "mine"], who has a steadfast mind, who is
free from desires
and fear, and who always revels in the Self.
76. Being unaffected by either praise or
slander, treating alike
all creatures, he should always unfailingly
maintain an equality
of vision [sama drishti], considering all
living beings in
the world as himself.
77. Avoid unnecessary arguments and worldly
associations. Do not create misunderstanding among
others. Do not join religious bodies well versed in
many scriptures. Give up both words of abuse and
words of praise.
78. Gradually and completely get rid of
jealousy, slander, pomp, passion, consequent
hatred, desire, anger, fear and sorrow.
79. If a man is free from all the pairs of
opposites and always lives in Solitude
[established in himself Alone], he gains
Perfect wisdom even while in the present body and
shines forth with great effulgence.
80. Liberation is attained only by knowledge
[jnana]. By other powers [siddhis]
such a fruit is unattainable. However, aspirants
become enchanted with blemishful worldly enjoyments
and thaumaturgic powers [siddhis] and go
after them with desire.
81. Know that the pure flawless person will
experience that blemishless Lord [the Supreme
Brahman] and positively attain liberation
whether attended by the supernatural powers or
not.
82. The body is a form constituted of the
five elements [earth, water, fire, air and
ether]. The One all-pervading Shiva is also
nicely seated there. Hence the entire universe,
right from the indivisible all-pervading Shivam
[the highest and most abstract tattva or
principle] to this world, is the form of
Shankara.
83-84. My dearest, earnest seekers who see
the enlightened one [jnani] and worship him
with all the three instruments [mind, speech
and body] in unison, offering him with
heart-melting love, sweet-smelling sandal paste,
fruits, flowers, incense, good water to bathe,
clothes and food, will thus attain liberation. Know
that those who worship that jnani reap the fruit of
his righteous deeds and those who slander him reap
the result of his sins.
85. I have revealed the Truth about
knowledge and the conduct pertaining thereto, as
you have asked. This entire path is indeed
kalottara jnana [the knowledge to be revealed
at the final stage of maturity]. Tell me, O
Lady, if you want to ask anything more.
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