hat element, even thus does a person of wisdom move
(in the world) among creatures. By the aid of one's intelligence one
should act in the world after this fashion, without grief, without joy,
with an equal eye for all, and destitute of malice and envy. One living
in this way succeeds in creating the qualities (instead of being oneself
affected by them), like a spider creating threads.[613] The qualities
should, indeed, be regarded as the threads of the spider. Some say that
the qualities in respect of such men are not lost. Some say that they are
all lost. Those who say that they are not lost rely upon the revealed
scriptures (viz., the Srutis), which do not contain any declaration to
the contrary. They, on the other hand, who say that the qualities are all
lost rely on the Smritis. Reflecting upon both these opinions, one should
judge oneself as to which of them is right. One should thus get over this
hard and knotty question which is capable of disturbing the
understanding by doubt, and thereby win happiness. When that doubt will
be removed, one will no longer have to indulge in sorrow of any kind. Men
of filthy hearts may by knowledge obtain success like persons plunging in
a well-filled stream purifying themselves of all filth. One who has to
cross a broad river does not feel happy at only seeing the other shore.
If the case were otherwise (i.e., if by only beholding the other shore
one could reach it by a boat), then might one become happy. The matter is
otherwise with one acquainted with the Truth. The mere knowledge of Truth
will bring him happiness. As soon as such knowledge begins to bear
fruits, the person may be regarded to have reached the other shore. They
who thus know the Soul as freed from all worldly objects and is but the
One, are said to obtain high and excellent knowledge.[614] A person by
knowing the origin and the end of all creatures, which is even such, and
by reflecting upon the matter, gradually obtains infinite happiness. He
that has understood the triple aggregate (viz., that it is liable to
destruction instead of being eternal), and reflecting upon it, casts it
away, succeeds by yoga to behold the Truth and obtain perfect felicity.
The Soul is incapable of being seen unless the senses, which are employed
on diverse objects and are difficult of being controlled, be all duly
restrained. He that knows this is really wise. What other indication is
there of a wise man? Acquiring this knowledge, men