Listen, O Rama, to the wisdom that flows from these ancient verses. There are those who, ungrateful and blind to their own fortune, destroy their very bodies—their own support—becoming repositories of evil deeds. Their senses, difficult to conquer, turn into their enemies. Having gained a body as their base, these senses, greedy like vultures, wander restlessly, ever seeking objects of pleasure, swooping down upon what should and should not be done, like fierce birds of prey. Such people are deceived, caught in the net of discrimination. Yet, just as a lump of stone cannot harm a net, they do not damage its parts. Those who delight in pleasures that seem charming at first soon find themselves plunged into hells when those pleasures lose all taste and become utterly empty. But he who is wealthy in discrimination, though dwelling in the wretched city of the body, is not overpowered by the inner enemies—the senses—even when he appears helpless. Kings who reign in mighty clay cities are not as happy as those who, mastering their own minds, become true lords of the city of their bodies. For one whose servant-senses are subdued and whose mind-enemy is well restrained, wise insights blossom as delightfully as flowers in spring. When the pride of mind is exhausted and the sense-enemies are subdued, desires for enjoyment fade away like lotuses withering in winter. Desires haunt the heart like ghosts in the night, until the mind is conquered through steadfast practice of oneness with the truth. The mind of the discerning person becomes a servant through its obedience, a minister through noble deeds accomplished, and a lord by subduing its own senses. Through nurturing, gentle care arises; through protection, the father becomes pure. The mind of the wise is the best friend, endowed with supreme trust. When the mind, guided by the vision of scripture and awakened by one's own insight, relinquishes itself, it grants the highest accomplishment. Polished, cleansed, firmly established, awakened by self-knowledge, and adorned with noble qualities, the jewel of the mind shines delightfully in the heart. This minister of the mind, through auspicious actions, provides axes to cut down the tree of birth and brings forth their results. Therefore, O Rama, cleanse the jewel of the mind—stained by mud and blemish—with the water of discernment, and become radiant. Even when discernment spreads across the dreadful realms of existence, do not, like the ordinary, fall helplessly into calamities. Do not disregard this great mist of delusion that arises in the world, crowded with countless misfortunes born of illusion. Rely on supreme discernment, perceive truth with intellect, conquer the enemies of the senses, and cross over the ocean of existence. Let not the analogy of the rope, snake, and stick arise in you, O Raghava, regarding this body, which is itself unreal, and the pleasures and pains that are equally unreal. Abandon completely the false conviction, "I am this," with true discernment. Relying on that which is other, reach that state, drink, eat, and remain unbound, free from mental agitation. While living in this world, enjoying its pleasures with wisdom, strive for what is best, aiming for the highest purpose, even as you remain established in what is beneficial. Let the analogy of the rope, snake, and stick not arise in you, O Raghava; let there be for you extreme freedom from sorrow, steadfast as a tree scorched by fierce light. The analogy of the rope, snake, and stick is cited as "let it not arise." O Brahman, what is this, spoken by you, remover of worldly suffering? Awaken me by this noble and pure speech—like the raincloud dispelling intense heat, awaken me as the peacock is awakened in the rainy season. O Raghava, having heard the analogy of the rope, snake, and stick, and the steadfastness like a tree scorched by fierce light, afterwards do whatever you desire. Now, hear a tale: Once, in a wondrous and enchanting cave in the netherworld, there lived a king of demons named Shambara, an ocean of magical gems. He had built temples for the gods in cities and gardens made of sky, and his realm was adorned with artificial moons and suns of the highest kind. He possessed delightful mountains filled with lotuses made from precious stones, and his wealth was endless, overflowing with every kind of treasure. The music of the women in his jeweled palaces surpassed even the melodies of celestial nymphs, and the trees in his pleasure gardens bore fruits as full as the moon. His lovely abodes were surrounded by clusters of blooming blue lotuses, and golden swans summoned flocks of golden lotuses and waterfowl. The tips of his golden trees bore buds of lotuses, and groves of karanja trees produced showers of mandara blossoms. His gardens bloomed in all seasons, surpassing even Nandana, the gods’ own paradise. Sandalwood from Malaya was guarded from illusory serpents and wild beasts. The women of his golden inner chambers outshone the beauty of all three worlds, and even the gods with discus and mace could not rival him in play. His city was adorned with countless streams of jewels like stars, and the women, decked in various flowers, had their knees touched by the abundance. At night, the sky of the netherworld shone with hundreds of moons, resounding with melodious songs and music of its own celestial women. The mighty elephant of the gods, Airavata, was driven away by the illusion of the lord; the inner chambers overflowed with the splendor and wealth of the three worlds. Shambara was endowed with all prosperity and supreme lordship, his commands honored by all chiefs of the demons. The assembly of gods found rest in the shade of his mighty arms, and he was adorned with earrings of gems drawn from the essence of all oceanic caves. For that god, who had been driven out, there arose a vast and formidable army of demons, fierce in form, intent on the destruction of the gods. While that master of illusion slept, having gone to another land, the gods found an opening and entered the midst of his army. Thus, O Rama, let these teachings and stories awaken your mind to discernment, urging you to cleanse your heart and cross beyond the illusions of this world.