The mind that has let go of all notions of ‘mine’ and ‘yours,’ that no longer divides the world into what belongs to oneself and what belongs to another, becomes truly liberated—there is no doubt about this. Those on earth who now follow your supreme example, O Raghava, shall likewise attain a state free from sorrow. Indeed, whoever lives according to your conduct, Rama, will cross the vast ocean of worldly existence, using their own mind as the boat. One whose mind is like yours—noble, seeing all equally—is fit for the vision of true knowledge, just as the full moon is fit to radiate its beautiful rays. You have reached a state beyond sorrow and act rightly; so remain, as long as this body lasts, with a mind free from both attachment and aversion. Outwardly, maintain the ways of the world, but inwardly, having abandoned all desires, rest in supreme coolness, like the full disc of the moon. As for those born in other classes, lacking virtues, do not consider them; they are like the offspring of jackals, following only their own nature. O mighty-armed one, by following the natural qualities of those born with a sattvic nature, a person attains a noble birth in the west. Whatever qualities a being continually cultivates here, even if born in another species, it will quickly attain the nature of that species. All previous tendencies, arising from birth and actions, can be overcome by the resolute through their own effort, just as the steadfast conquer their enemies. Even if the mind is troubled by faults from past evil births and actions, with courage one should lift it up, as one would rescue a deer stuck in the mud. Those who have taken on tamasic, rajasic, or any other birth, through the power of discernment, the virtuous attain a sattvic birth. O Raghava, whatever is firmly established within the pure jewel of the mind, that one becomes; therefore, effort is paramount. Through noble qualities, effort, and perseverance, even those of inferior birth here become seekers of liberation. There is nothing on earth or among the gods in heaven that a person endowed with virtues and striving with effort cannot attain. With unwavering courage, supreme dispassion, and mature wisdom, what goal could you not achieve by your own endeavor? You, possessed of great courage, act for the benefit of your own self, using discernment, and become free from sorrow. Then, in due course, the people of this earth will also become thoroughly free from sorrow. O Rama, in a future birth, when endowed with supreme discrimination and delighting in the abundance of goodness, let your mind, established in virtuous action, not be troubled by thoughts of bondage and delusion. Now, after the discourse on sustenance, listen: I shall speak of quiescence, the section known to bring about liberation. In the assembly, tranquil as the autumn sky adorned with stars, Vasistha began to speak these pure and delightful words. For the sake of hearing, those in the silent assembly, grounded like the earth, sat motionless, like lotuses in windless air. Among the women, whose pride, delusion, and strength had subsided, there was inner calm, as if among those long devoted to renunciation. Hands, like lotuses, rested quietly as if listening; the fans, like mute bells, were still, absorbed in silence. The tips of index fingers, placed near the nostrils, were motionless in contemplation, as the wise kings reflected on the subtle knowledge. Rama himself blossomed, like a lotus at dawn, the darkness having been abandoned, just as the sky at sunrise. The son of Dasaratha listened to Vasistha’s words, as a peacock listens intently to the deep, thundering sound of clouds about to pour rain. Having withdrawn his restless mind, like a monkey, from all enjoyments, Bharata, with the ministers present, applied himself with effort to listening. Lakshmana, in whom the pure moon-like Self had been realized through Vasistha’s teaching, shone as the very embodiment of discernment, beyond the reach of further instruction. Shatrughna, destroyer of foes, whose mind had attained fullness, stood there, filled with joy, like the full moon on the night of its fullness. Sumitra’s son, whose mind had become cool as moonbeams and whose heart had blossomed, stood there as a lotus does at that very moment. There, as the sages and kings stood with minds purified like flawless jewels, it was as if their hearts exhaled in relief. Then arose a sound, filling all directions, deep as the rumble of thunderclouds at the world’s end, like the mighty roar of conches at midday, equal to the ocean’s tumult. By that great sound, the sage’s words were drowned out, just as the calls of cuckoos are overpowered by the rumble of thunder. The sage then withheld his speech in the assembly; for who can reveal a profound truth when its essence is lost amid great noise? After listening for a moment to that midday clamor, when the tumult had subsided, the sage addressed Rama: “Rama, I have recounted to you the events of this day; tomorrow morning, O destroyer of foes, I will speak further of what remains to be told. Now it is time for the midday ritual, which is the prescribed duty of the twice-born; let us perform it, for the noble ones are waiting. You too, fortunate one, arise and skillfully perform all the ritual acts—bathing, giving, worship, and the rest—properly and completely.” Having spoken thus, the sage rose together with Dasharatha, and the assembly rose as the moon and sun rise from behind the eastern mountain. As the two rose, the entire assembly stirred to stand, their eyes, like lotus stalks, gently touched by a soft breeze.