Listen, dear one, to the great rhythm of creation and liberation as revealed in the holy scriptures. In every cycle of creation, beings arise again and again, resembling one another in their wealth, their families, their ages, their actions, their knowledge, their understanding, and the activities they pursue. Over hundreds of such cycles, these beings sometimes exist, sometimes do not, for the play of illusion continues endlessly, without a final conclusion. This procession of countless beings is like a heap of seeds scattered again and again, each time sprouting and transforming, never ceasing in its flow. With each new beginning, the forms of creation arise—sometimes with the same arrangement, sometimes with another—just as waves rise and fall upon the endless ocean of time. But among all these, there is the wise one who, with a mind calmed and free from agitation, with all doubts dissolved, and established in the very essence of his true nature, abides fully satisfied in the nectar of supreme peace. He is untouched, uncovered by any delusion. Consider, just as water remains unchanged whether it is still or forms a wave, so too, in the vast ocean of existence, the state of having a body or being without one is equally free for the liberated. For you, liberation does not depend on the presence or absence of the body—just as someone who has never tasted food cannot speak of its flavor. O best of sages, we may see the liberated one while he lives, just as we see any object before us, but his inner intention remains unknown to us. What difference is there between those liberated with a body and those without, when their very nature is non-difference? Water is the same whether it rises as a wave or rests in gentle calm. Indeed, there is not the slightest difference between the embodied and the disembodied liberated ones—just as air is the same, whether it moves as wind or is still. Liberation is not determined by the presence or absence of a body, for when the non-dual unity is realized, it is indivisible. Therefore, listen with attention to this teaching, which is an ornament to the ear and a destroyer of ignorance—a knowledge I am about to impart to you. O delight of the Raghu lineage, in this world of transmigration, everything is attained through complete and proper human effort. Just as the moon rises and brings cool delight to the heart, so too, the fruit of endeavor is obtained only by one’s own effort, and not otherwise. That which is seen directly as the result of effort is real; what the deluded imagine as fate is nothing and does not exist. Whatever activity of mind and body is guided by the teaching of the wise and the scriptures, that is true and fruitful effort; anything else is merely the action of the deluded. Whoever desires a certain goal and strives for it step by step will surely attain it; if he does not, he will not even turn back halfway. By human effort and striving, some have attained the lordship of the three worlds, the splendor of Indra. By effort, some rare ones, through the blossoming of consciousness, have attained the state of Brahma, the seat of creation’s lotus. By purposeful effort, by his own power, a rare man has reached the highest state of Purushottama, the supreme among men, the banner-bearer Garuda. And it is only through personal effort that someone, though born in a body shaped by the play of feminine grace, attains the status of one adorned with the crescent moon. Know that effort is of two kinds: previous and present. The former is quickly overcome by the latter, through purposeful action. Even mountains are swallowed by those who strive with steadfast practice, wisdom, and enthusiasm; what then of the talk about previous effort? The highest human excellence is that which is guided by scripture-directed effort; for the fulfillment of desired results, it is beneficial, but otherwise, it leads to harm. For some, due to the instability of their own self, a single drop of water pressed from the tip of a finger may seem abundant; for another, even when the earth is adorned with oceans, mountains, cities, and islands, it may not suffice for the proper distribution of duties, and the earth ceases to be earth. Action in accordance with scripture is the first step for those who live in the world; it is like radiance among colors, the means for all deeds. Whatever is desired in the mind but not acted upon according to scripture is like the play of the intoxicated—enchanting, but not productive of results. As one conceives, so one experiences; one’s own action alone is real, and nothing else—not even fate—is distinct. Human effort is said to be of two kinds: unregulated and guided by scripture. Unregulated effort leads to harm, while effort guided by scripture leads to the highest good. Just as two wrestlers contend, so do these two forms of effort—one belonging to oneself, the other to another. Among them, the stronger always prevails. Where harm arises even from effort guided by scripture, one should recognize that the harm-doer’s own effort is stronger in that case. By relying on superior effort, one grinds teeth against teeth; by engaging good against evil, one can overcome previous effort with present effort. The thought, “My previous effort compels me,” should be forcibly set aside; it is not greater than direct, present action. One must persistently strive with one’s own effort until previous effort, which is evil, subsides on its own. Without doubt, a fault subsides when present virtues overcome previous faults—just as yesterday’s fault is destroyed by today’s virtues. Casting aside false fate, one should always strive with a determined mind to establish in oneself the means for crossing over worldly existence and attaining prosperity. One should not pursue equality with men and donkeys through inaction; rather, effort should be made according to scripture for the attainment of both worlds. We must forcefully escape from the cavern of worldly existence, relying on personal effort, like a deer breaking free from a water cage. Each day, a person should examine their own conduct, abandon what is like that of beasts, and adopt what is fitting for noble people. A little enjoyment of pleasant food and drink at home is delicate, but like a worm savoring a wound, one’s youth should not be wasted to ashes. Thus, the wise discern the truth of effort and liberation, and walk the path that leads beyond the endless waves of creation.