other limbs, as also the acts good and bad, become
possessed by Fire. Such a man, who sacrifices
in his own self, makes a liberation of his senses
and mind into the fire that dwells within the limited
space of his own heart. In consequence again
of his pouring such a libation into such a fire within
his own self, the universe with all creatures including
the very gods, becomes gratified.[1032] They who apprehend
the Jiva-soul that is endued with effulgence, that
is enveloped in three cases, that has three attributes
for its characteristics, to be Iswara partaking of
that which is foremost, viz., the nature of the
Supreme Soul, becomes object of great regard in all
the worlds. The very gods with all human beings
speak highly of their merits. He who succeeds
in beholding in the soul that resides in his own body
all the Vedas, space and the other objects of perception,
the rituals that occur in scriptures, all those entities
that are comprehensible in sound only and the superior
nature of the Supreme Soul, is sought to be worshipped
by the very deities as the foremost of all beings.
He who sees in the soul that resides within his body,
that foremost of beings which is not attached to the
earth, which is immeasurable in even the (measureless)
firmament, which is made of gold, which is born of
the egg and resides within the egg, which is equipped
with many feathers, and which has two wings like a
bird, and which is rendered effulgent by many rays
of light, is sought to be worshipped by the very deities
as the foremost of all beings.[1033] The very deities
worship him in whose understanding is set the wheel
of Time, which is constantly resolving, which knows
no decay, which swallows up the period of existence
of every creature, which has the six seasons for its
naves, which is equipped with two and ten radii consisting
of the two and ten months, which has excellent joint,
and towards whose gaping mouth proceeds this universe
(ready to be devoured).[1034] The Supreme Soul is
the capacious unconsciousness of dreamless slumber.
That Unconsciousness is the body of the universe.
It pervadeth all created things. Jiva, occupying
a portion of that capacious unconsciousness gratifies
the deities. These last, being gratified, gratify
the open mouth of that unconsciousness.[1035] Endued
with effulgence as also with the principle of eternity,
Jiva is without a beginning. It acquires (by
following particular paths) infinite regions of eternal
happiness. He of whom no creature is afraid, has
never to fear any creature. He who never does
anything censurable and who never censures another,
is said to be a truly regenerate person. Such
a man succeeds in beholding the Supreme Soul.
He whose ignorance has been dispelled and whose sins
have been washed away, never enjoys either here or
hereafter the happiness that is enjoyed by others (but
attains to complete Emancipation). A person in
the observance of the fourth mode of life wanders
on the earth like one unconnected with everything.
Such a one is freed from wrath and error. Such
a one regards a clod of earth and lump of gold with
an equal eye. Such a man never stores anything
for his use. Such a one has no friends and foes.
Such a one is utterly regardless of praise or blame,
and of the agreeable and the disagreeable.’”