The mind, when it is utterly peaceful—crystal-clear, rested, and free from all confusion, desire, or longing—neither craves nor rejects anything. Such a mind stands at the very gateway to liberation. O seeker, know that there are gatekeepers to this door of freedom, and by devoted attachment to any one of them, entry is gained. The long desert of worldly existence, so often filled with suffering and faults, becomes cool and bearable for a living being when refreshed by the sweet water of tranquility. It is through tranquility that the highest good is attained, for tranquility itself is the supreme state. It is auspiciousness, it is peace, and it alone dispels delusion. One who is satisfied by tranquility, whose nature is pure and cool, and whose mind delights in this stillness—even an enemy becomes a friend to such a one. For those whose intentions are adorned by the moon of tranquility, supreme purity arises, just as it does from the churning of the ocean of milk. Their hearts, lotus-like and blossoming with tranquility, are like the two lotus hearts of Hari, fully opened among the virtuous. Those whose faces shine with the unblemished beauty of tranquility become the lords of their lineage, worthy of veneration, surpassing even the moon in their radiance. The glories of tranquility, dwelling within the heart of the three worlds, are not enjoyed like ordinary riches; they are like the wealth of sovereignty itself. All sufferings, cravings, and unbearable hardships are destroyed in those of peaceful mind, just as darkness vanishes before the rising sun. The mind of all beings naturally follows after serenity; not even the moon evokes as much wonder as a peaceful person does among people. In one established in tranquility and goodwill toward all creatures, the highest truth reveals itself spontaneously. Just as with a mother, all beings—whether harsh or gentle—place their trust in one who is tranquil. Not by drinking elixirs, nor by embracing fortune, does one attain the happiness that comes from inner tranquility. O Raghava, comfort your mind—afflicted by all sorts of ailments and bound by the cords of craving—with the nectar-stream of tranquility. Whatever you do, whatever you eat, when it is done with a mind cooled by tranquility, that alone tastes supremely sweet to you—not otherwise. When the mind, bathed in the nectar of tranquility, attains contentment, it is said that even limbs once severed are restored by it. Neither spirits, demons, daityas, enemies, tigers, nor serpents bear enmity toward one who abides in tranquility. When one is fully protected by the armor of the nectar of tranquility, sorrows cannot pierce him, just as arrows cannot penetrate a stone of diamond. A king, even when surrounded by ministers and the women of his inner palace, does not shine as much as one adorned by the beauty of tranquility and steady conduct. People do not experience the same joy from seeing anything dearer than life itself as they do upon seeing a person who is peaceful and composed. He who lives rightly, with a tranquil and disciplined way of life, is truly alive in this world and honored by all—none else is so. Whatever good deed is performed by one whose mind is humble and peaceful, all beings in this world rejoice in it. He who, upon hearing, touching, seeing, eating, or smelling what is pleasant or unpleasant, neither rejoices nor is dejected—he is called peaceful. He who is equal in all situations, neither desiring nor rejecting, and who has conquered his senses through effort—he is called peaceful. He whose mind is as clear and undisturbed as the disk of the autumn moon, even amid death, celebration, or battle—he is called peaceful. He who, though remaining in one place, appears as if not settled, who neither rejoices nor becomes angry, whose mind is as in deep sleep and is at ease—he is said to be tranquil. He whose gaze, delightful like the flow of nectar, extends with affection toward all people—he is said to be tranquil. He whose actions, both inwardly and outwardly, are seen with a mind that is clear and pure—he is said to be tranquil. He whose mind remains insignificant and unaffected, even amid dire calamities or at the end of an age, even when all is burning—he is said to be tranquil. He who has attained inner coolness, who does not sink into the states of mind, who acts in the world without confusion—he is said to be tranquil. He whose mind, always engaged in his own actions, remains as spotless as the sky—he is said to be tranquil. Among ascetics, the learned, the sacrificers, kings, the strong, and the virtuous, it is the one endowed with tranquility who truly shines. In the minds of the great—endowed with virtues and absorbed in tranquility—contentment arises from consciousness itself, like the gentle moonlight from the cool-rayed moon. Equanimity is the boundary of all virtues, the unique ornament of true manliness, and the place of fearlessness in difficulties. It shines forth, resplendent. Rama, just as the great ones attained the highest state by relying on supreme, immortal, unstealable, noble-favored equanimity, so too should you steadily follow that path for success. One who knows the causes, whose mind is purified by the clear understanding of scripture, and who possesses self-control must undertake inquiry. Through inquiry, the intellect becomes sharp and perceives the supreme state; for inquiry is indeed the great medicine for the long-standing disease of worldly existence. The forest of calamity, whose forms are nourished by endless desires, once cut down by the saw of inquiry, does not grow again. In delusions, loss of relatives, hardships, and confusions—in all such situations—inquiry is truly the path of the wise.