h which to
destroy me.' Hearing these words and reflecting on them, he said as
follows.

"'"'"Alarka said, 'Hearing diverse sounds, (the ear) hankers after them
only. Hence, I shall shoot whetted shafts at the ear.'

"'"'"The ear said, 'These arrows will not, O Alarka, cross through me. They
will pierce thy own vital parts only, and thy vital parts being pierced,
thou shalt die. Do thou then look for other arrows with which to destroy
me.' Hearing these words and reflecting upon them, he said as follows.

"'"'"Alarka said, 'Seeing many colours, the eye hankers after them only.
Hence, I shall destroy the eye with sharp-pointed arrows.'

"'"'"The eye said. 'These arrows will not, O Alarka, cross through me at
all. They will pierce thy own vital parts only, and thy vital parts being
pierced, thou shalt die. Do thou then look for other arrows with which to
destroy me!' Hearing these words and reflecting upon them, he said as
follows.

"'"'"Alarka said, 'This (viz., the understanding) forms many determinations
with the aid of ratiocination. Hence, I shall shoot whetted arrows at the
understanding.'

"'"'"The understanding said, 'These arrows will not, O Alarka, cross
through me at all. They will pierce thy vital parts only, and thy vital
parts being pierced, thou shalt die. Do thou then look for other arrows
with which to destroy me!'"

"'"The Brahmana continued, '"Then Alarka, employing himself, even there, on
penances difficult to perform and exceedingly austere, failed to obtain,
by the high power (of his penances) arrows for casting at these seven.
Endued with puissance, he then, with mind well concentrated, began to
reflect. Then O best of regenerate ones, Alarka, that foremost of
intelligent men, having reflected for a long time, failed to obtain
anything better than Yoga. Setting his mind on one object, he remained
perfectly still, engaged in Yoga.[83] Endued with energy, he quickly slew
all the senses with one arrow, having entered by Yoga into his soul and
thereby attained to the highest success. Filled with wonder, that royal
sage then sang this verse: 'Alas, it is a pity that we should have
accomplished all acts that are external! Alas, that we should have,
endued with the thirst for enjoyment, courted (the pleasures of)
sovereignty before now! I have learnt this afterwards. There is no
happiness that is higher than Yoga.'--Do thou know this, O Rama. Cease to
slay the Kshatriyas. Do thou practise the auste