Listen, O Rama, to the wisdom that illumines the path of the noble. Among all beings, none cries out in pain as bitterly as the ignorant person whose very self is destroyed by lack of discernment—not the sick, nor even those afflicted by a hundred misfortunes. It is better, indeed, to be a worm sinking in the mud, to dwell among thorns in a dark pit, or to remain hidden in a cave, than to live without discernment. Unreflectiveness is the dwelling place of all misfortune, shunned by the virtuous and the very boundary of ceaseless distress. Therefore, one should abandon unreflectiveness altogether. The noble soul must always engage in reflection, for those who have fallen into the pit of worldly existence find in reflection their only true support. By holding oneself steady through reflection, one can lead the restless mind—like a wild deer—across the vast ocean of delusion known as saṃsāra. True reflection arises from the inquiry, “Who am I? How has this fault called saṃsāra come into being?”—an inquiry guided by reason. Without reflection, when the mind becomes as hard as stone, only endless suffering arises: a darkness thick with the tumult of delusion. O Rāghava, for those whose vision is fixed only upon the arising and ceasing of things, nothing real is ever known except through reflection. Through reflection, truth is revealed; from truth, one finds repose in the Self; and when the mind is at peace, all suffering comes to an end. The actions of the noble become fruitful and shine in the world; may your own reflection, clear and well considered, bring you to peace and radiance. Now know this, O Rama: contentment is the highest good, and contentment alone is called happiness. One who is content, O destroyer of foes, attains the supreme rest. For those whose minds have long rested in the joy of contentment and prosperity, even the sovereignty of the virtuous appears as worthless as dry grass. A mind endowed with contentment remains unshaken amidst the turmoil of worldly affairs and is never afflicted by adversity. Those who have tasted the nectar of contentment find all worldly enjoyments pale and insignificant by comparison. Even the waves of nectar cannot satisfy as deeply as the sweet taste of contentment, which destroys all faults. The truly content person abandons unfulfilled desires, remains even-minded in what is gained, and is free from inner distress and agitation. As long as contentment does not arise from within, calamities spring forth again and again, like creepers from fertile soil. A mind cooled by contentment and seen through pure understanding blossoms greatly, like a lotus under the sun’s rays. But when the mind is unsettled by expectation and lacks contentment, knowledge cannot reflect there—just as a faded face cannot be mirrored in a dull surface. The lotus of a person does not wither in the dense night of ignorance when the sun of contentment rises perpetually within. Even one who possesses nothing enjoys the happiness of sovereignty if his mind is content, free from distress and disease. He does not crave what is not obtained and accepts what comes as it comes; such a gentle and well-conducted person is truly content. On the face of the great one who is fully satisfied and pure of mind, prosperity shines, just as it does on the pure ocean of milk. Relying completely on fullness, abiding in one’s own self by one’s own strength and effort, one should everywhere abandon craving. For the one whose heart is filled with the nectar of contentment, a coolness arises naturally within; for the one free from want, steadfastness endures, like the refreshing light of the moon. Great riches, having become servants, attend upon the one whose mind is nourished by contentment, just as attendants serve a king. When a person abides in the pure, contented Self within, all afflictions subside swiftly, just as dust settles in the rainy season. A person of pure conduct, always tranquil and free from blemish, shines in fullness like the spotless moon. Beholding the beautiful face of equanimity in such a person, others find satisfaction that wealth and possessions cannot offer. O descendant of Raghu, even the great sages and celestial beings bow to that pure one adorned with equanimity and a noble mind. Hear further, O great intellect: especially in crossing the ocean of worldly existence, the company of the virtuous is always beneficial in every way. Those great souls who preserve the auspicious flower of discernment that grows on the tree of association with the virtuous become vessels of the wealth of its fruit. In the company of the wise, emptiness becomes abundance, even death appears as a festival, and adversity shines like prosperity. In this world, the company of the virtuous alone conquers the frost of misfortune, the wind of delusion, and the darkness of ignorance—just as the sun triumphs over them all. Know that association with the virtuous is the supreme enhancer of intelligence, the destroyer of ignorance, and the remover of afflictions. From such association, the highest lamp of discernment arises—bright and delightful, like a cluster of flowers from the sorrowless tree. The powers gained from companionship with the virtuous bestow happiness that is safe, undisturbed, ever abundant, and unsurpassed. Even those who have reached the most difficult and helpless states should not abandon, even in the slightest, the company of the virtuous. In this world, such associations are auspicious lamps on the path of righteousness; they dispel the darkness of the heart, shining with the light of knowledge. He who has bathed in the cool, pure Ganges of association with the virtuous—what need has he for gifts, for holy places, for austerities, or for sacrifices? For this alone is the highest blessing.