SECTION XXXIII

“The Brahmana said, ’I do not, O timid one, move in this world in that manner which thou, according to thy own understanding, censurest.  I am a Brahmana possessed of Vedic knowledge, I am emancipated.  I am a forest recluse.  I am an observer of the duties of a house-holder.  I observe vows.  I am not what thou seest me in good and bad acts.  By me is pervaded everything that exists in this universe.  Whatever creatures exist in the world, mobile or immobile, know that I am the destroyer of them all, even as fire is (the destroyer) of all kinds of wood.  Of sovereignty over the whole Earth or over Heaven (on the one hand), or this knowledge (of my identity with the universe), this knowledge is my wealth.[93] This is the one path for Brahmanas, by which they who understand it proceed to house-holds, or abodes in the forest, or residence with preceptors, or among mendicants.[94] With numerous unconfused symbols, only one knowledge is worshipped.  Those who, whatever the symbols and modes of life to which they adhere, have acquired an understanding having tranquillity for its essence, attain to that one entity even as numerous rivers all meeting the Ocean.[95] The path is traversable with the aid of the understanding and not of this body.  Actions have both beginning and end, and the body has actions for its bonds.[96] Hence, O blessed lady, thou needst have no apprehension in respect of the world hereafter.  With thy heart intent upon the real entity, it is my soul into which thou wilt come.’”

SECTION XXXIV

“The Brahmana’s wife said, ’This is incapable of being understood by a person of little intelligence as also by one whose soul has not been cleansed.  My intelligence is very little, and contracted, and confused.  Do thou tell me the means by which the knowledge (of which thou speakest) may be acquired.  I wish to learn from thee the source from which this knowledge flows.’

“The Brahmana said, ’Know that intelligence devoted to Brahman, is the lower Arani; the preceptor is the upper Arani; penances and conversance wit tithe scriptures are to cause the attrition.  From this is produced the fire of knowledge.’

“The Brahmana’s wife said, ’As regards this symbol of Brahman, which is designated Kshetrajna, where, indeed, occurs a description of it by which it is capable of being seized?’

“The Brahmana said, ’He is without symbols, and without qualities.  Nothing exists that may be regarded as his cause.  I shall, however, tell thee the means by which he can be seized or not.  A good means may be found; viz., perception of hearing, etc. as flowers are perceived by bees.  That means consists of an understanding cleansed by action.  Those whose understandings have not been so cleansed, regard that entity, through their own ignorance, as invested with the properties of knowledge