Craving Cured by Scriptures

Sage Vasishtha

O Rama, the mind, the intellect and the ego-sense, as also the senses, are all devoid of independent intelligence; where then do the jiva and all the rest of it reside? Even as the moon is one yet it appears to be two or more on account of defective vision or agitation in the reflecting medium, the self (inner intelligence or consciousness) is one, but appears to be many on account of the agitation caused by the thoughts.

Just as night comes to an end when darkness recedes, ignorance comes to an end when the poison of craving for pleasure ceases. This deadly virus of craving for pleasure is instantly cured by the magic of scriptural declarations. At the very instant when wickedness or foolishness comes to an end, the mind with all its retinue vanishes, even as pearls scatter when the connecting thread is broken. Hence, O Rama, the who abandon the scriptures have chosen to live as worms and vermin for their own self-destruction.

When wind subsides, the surface of the lake becomes calm once again: when agitation caused by ignorance ceases, the unsteadiness of the eyes caused by infatuation for wife and other objects of pleasure ceases. Obviously, O Rama, you have reached that steadiness. You have listened intently to my words: and on account of that the veil of ignorance has been listed in you. Even ordinary human beings are profoundly influenced by the words of their family preceptor: how then can it be different in one who possesses and expanded vision, as you do?