The Crest-Jewel of Wisdom. Adi Shankara

submit myself to thee, Master, friend of the bowed-down world and river of selfless kindness.

      "Raise me by thy guiding light that pours forth the nectar of truth and mercy, for I am sunk in the ocean of the world.

      "I am burned by the hot flame of relentless life and torn by the winds of misery: save me from death, for I take refuge in thee, finding no other rest."

      The great good ones dwell in peace, bringing joy to the world like the return of spring. Having crossed the ocean of the world, they ever help others to cross over. For this is the very nature of the great-souled ones (Mahâtmas)--their swiftness to take away the weariness of others. So the soft-rayed moon of itself soothes the earth, burned by the fierce sun's heat.

      "Sprinkle me with thy nectar voice that brings the joy of eternal bliss, pure and cooling, falling on me as from a cup, like the joy of inspiration; for I am burnt by the hot, scorching flames of the world's fire.

      "Happy are they on whom thy light rests, even for a moment, and who reach harmony with thee.

      "How shall I cross the ocean of the world? Where is the path? What way must I follow? I know not, Master. Save me from the wound of the world's pain."

      THE BEGINNING OF THE TEACHING

      (Verses 41--71)

      To him, making this appeal and seeking help, scorched by the flame of the world's fire, the Great Soul beholding him with eyes most pitiful brings speedy comfort.

      The Wise One instils the truth in him who has approached him longing for Freedom, who is following the true path, calming the tumult of his mind and bringing Restfulness.

      "Fear not, wise one, there is no danger for thee. There is a way to cross over the ocean of the world, and by this path the sages have reached the shore.

      "This same path I point out to thee, for it is the way to destroy the world's fear. Crossing the ocean of the world by this path, thou shalt win the perfect joy."

      By discerning the aim of the wisdom-teaching (Vedânta) is born that most excellent knowledge. Then comes the final ending of the world's pain. The voice of the teaching plainly declares that faith, devotion, meditation, and the search for union are the means of Freedom for him who would be free. He who is perfect in these wins Freedom from the bodily bondage woven by unwisdom.

      When the Self is veiled by unwisdom there arises a binding to the not-self, and from this comes the pain of world-life. The fire of wisdom lit by discernment between these two--Self and not-Self--will wither up the source of unwisdom, root and all.

      THE PUPIL ASKS

      "Hear with selfless kindness, Master. I ask this question: receiving the answer from thy lips I shall gain my end.

      "What is, then, a bond? And how has this bond come? What cause has it? And how can one be free?

      "What is not-Self and what the Higher Self? And how can one discern between them?"

      HE MASTER ANSWERS

      "Happy art thou. Thou shalt attain thy end. Thy kin is blest in thee. For thou seekest to become the Eternal by freeing thyself from the bond of unwisdom.

      "Sons and kin can pay a father's debts, but none but a man's self can set him free,

      "If a heavy burden presses on the head others can remove it, but none but a man's self can quench his hunger and thirst.

      "Health is gained by the sick who follow the path of healing: health does not come through the acts of others.

      "The knowledge of the real by the eye of clear insight is to be gained by one's own sight and not by the teacher's.

      "The moon's form must be seen by one's own eyes; it can never be known through the eyes of another.

      "None but a man's self is able to untie the knots of unwisdom, desire, and former acts, even in a myriad of ages.

      "Freedom is won by a perception of the Self's oneness with the Eternal, and not by the doctrines of Union or of Numbers, nor by rites and sciences.

      "The form and beauty of the lyre and excellent skill upon its strings may give delight to the people, but will never found an empire.

      "An eloquent voice, a stream of words, skill in explaining the teaching, and the learning of the learned; these bring enjoyment but not freedom.

      "When the Great Reality is not known the study of the scriptures is fruitless; when the Great Reality is known the study of the scriptures is also fruitless.

      "A net of words is a great forest where the fancy wanders; therefore the reality of the Self is to be strenuously learned from the knower of that reality.

      "How can the hymns (Vedas) and the scriptures profit him who is bitten by the serpent of unwisdom? How can charms or medicine help him without the medicine of the knowledge of the Eternal?

      "Sickness is not cured by saying 'Medicine,' but by drinking it. So a man is not set free by the name of the Eternal without discerning the Eternal.

      "Without piercing through the visible, without knowing the reality of the Self, how can men gain Freedom by mere outward words that end with utterances?

      "Can a man be king by saying, 'I am king,' without destroying his enemies, without gaining power over the whole land?

      "Through information, digging, and casting aside the stones, a treasure may be found, but not by calling it to come forth.

      "So by steady effort is gained the knowledge of those who know the Eternal, the lonely, stainless reality above all illusion; but not by desultory study.

      "Hence with all earnest effort to be free from the bondage of the world, the wise must strive themselves, as they would to be free from sickness.

      "And this question put by thee to-day must be solved by those who seek Freedom; this question that breathes the spirit of the teaching, that is like a clue with hidden meaning.

      "Hear, then, earnestly, thou wise one, the answer given by me; for understanding it thou shalt be free from the bondage of the world."