O Rama, know this: in the journey across the ocean of worldly existence, nothing is as beneficial—at all times and in all ways—as the company of the virtuous. When one finds shelter among noble souls, discernment blossoms like a fragrant flower on the tree of holy association, and those who cherish this bloom become worthy vessels for the wealth of its sweet fruit. In the presence of the wise, emptiness transforms into abundance; even death itself appears as a festival, and adversity glows with the radiance of prosperity. It is only the company of the good that conquers the chilling frost of misfortune, the wild winds of delusion, and the dense darkness of ignorance—just as the sun triumphs over night and cold. Understand that the association with the virtuous is the supreme enhancer of intellect, the destroyer of the tree of ignorance, and the remover of all afflictions. From such company arises the highest lamp of discernment, bright and delightful, like a cluster of blossoms from the sorrowless tree. The powers gained from the virtuous bestow a happiness that is safe, undisturbed, ever-increasing, and unmatched. Even those who find themselves in the most difficult and helpless circumstances should never abandon the company of the virtuous, not even in the slightest. In this world, the association with the good is like an auspicious lamp along the path of righteousness, dispelling the darkness of the heart with the light of knowledge. He who has bathed in the cool, pure Ganges of holy company—what need has he for gifts, for pilgrimages, for austerities, or for sacrifices? If there exist noble ones who are free from passion, whose doubts are cut away, whose inner knots are dissolved, O sinless one, what need is there for austerities or for the gathering of holy places? Those whose minds are tranquil are truly worthy of reverence and should be sought with the greatest effort; the virtuous are treasures to the poor, as precious as jewels. The intellect of the wise, adorned by the beauty of noble company, shines always, like a lotus amidst celestial nymphs. He who has attained the pure state of divine play never abandons the exalted company of the good. Saints, whose knots of ignorance are severed and who are esteemed by all, should be served by every means, for they alone are the boat to cross the ocean of worldly existence. Those who look upon the saints with indifference become like dry fuel for the fires of hell, while the saints themselves are rainclouds that quench those scorching flames. Poverty, death, suffering, and other such torments are completely pacified by the medicine of holy association. Contentment, noble company, inquiry, and tranquility—these alone are the means for crossing the ocean of worldly life. Contentment is the highest gain, company of the good is the supreme path, inquiry is the highest knowledge, and tranquility is the greatest happiness. These four pure means, when practiced, dissolve worldly existence; those who have mastered them have truly crossed the ocean of delusion and life. Indeed, when one of these is firmly practiced and pure awakening arises, the wise say all four are thereby mastered. Even a single one among them serves as the source for all, so one should diligently cultivate at least one for complete attainment. Association with the good, contentment, inquiry, and tranquility arise naturally in a mind made clear, just as streams flow into the ocean. Inquiry, contentment, and tranquility flourish in one who delights in noble company, just as riches flourish for one sheltered by the wish-fulfilling tree. In the same way, inquiry, tranquility, and holy company arise in one who possesses contentment, just as beauty and other virtues arise when the moon is full. And when one values inquiry, association with the good, contentment, and tranquility manifest, just as victory and prosperity come to a king with wise counsel. Therefore, O descendant of Raghu, always strive to conquer the mind with effort and steadfastly cultivate at least one of these virtues. With supreme effort, subdue the wild elephant of the mind until even one virtue is attained, for without this, the highest attainment is not possible. With determined resolve, grind teeth against teeth, Rama, until your mind is firmly set on acquiring virtue. Whether you are a god, a yaksha, a human, or even a tree, mighty-armed one, there is no other means here for you. When a single virtue ripens and strength arises, all faults are swiftly destroyed in the one whose mind is clear. When virtue increases, virtues multiply and faults are destroyed; when faults increase, they grow and destroy virtue. In this vast forest of the mind, the swift river of tendencies flows, with great banks of good and evil, always carrying living beings along. By your own effort, wherever you direct this river, it will flow—so act according to your will. With human effort, gradually guide the river of your mind toward the auspicious bank; establish your own great stream of disposition, and you will not be hindered in the least. O Raghava, you who have attained discernment are fit to hear the teachings of wisdom, just as a king is fit to learn the doctrines of statecraft. Pure, free from impurity, vast in the knowledge of consciousness, untouched by dullness, fit for yoga—like the autumn moon shining in the sky—you are endowed with this unbroken wealth of virtues. Therefore, listen with attention to these words, which dispel the delusion of the mind. For one whose tree of merit is bowed with the weight of its fruits, the effort to hear this teaching arises for the liberation of the soul. These noble, pure, and supremely enlightening words are vessels for prosperity; only the worthy become their recipients, not the base.