Reflecting deeply on the nature of action and detachment, King Janaka rose each day to perform his duties, untouched by desire, just as the sun rises, giving light without seeking reward. With a mind that had relinquished all longing for pleasure or aversion to pain, he moved through the circumstances of life as they arose, remaining ever alert and aware—even as one might be in deep sleep, awake within. Each day, Janaka fulfilled his responsibilities, always beginning with reverent worship. When evening came, he spent the night alone, absorbed in meditation, his mind delighting in the inner play of contemplation. He stilled his thoughts, gathering his awareness into tranquil unity, calming all wanderings of the mind toward external objects. As the night faded, he awakened his consciousness in this way. He addressed his own mind with gentle wisdom: “O mind, your restless wanderings bring no true happiness to the self. Come, be at peace, for only from peace does genuine happiness arise. Just as you entertain waves of thought lightly, so does the expanse of your worldly existence grow in proportion. Like a tree that branches endlessly from a single stream, O cunning mind, you create endless complexity through your desires for enjoyment. All these creations of worldly existence arise from intricate webs of thought. Therefore, let go of varied thinking, and enter into tranquility. “Beautiful mind, consider this fleeting world—if you find its true essence, rely only upon that. Abandon attachment and the craving for objects; hold steadfastly to what is truly yours—the pure self—and do not let go. Dwell with the desire for inner purity. Whether this visible world is real or unreal, whether it appears or disappears, do not let yourself be swayed by its qualities or faults. You have no true connection with the objects you perceive; how can there be any relationship with something whose very form does not truly exist? “You are not unreal, nor is this world truly real; the idea of a relationship between the real and the unreal is but a curious string of words. If this world is unreal and you are real, tell me, O beautiful one, what association can there be between the real and the unreal, as between the living and the dead? If only you and the perceived object exist, both of the nature of reality and always abiding, then how could there arise any movement such as joy or sorrow? “Therefore, do not be deluded or carried away by excitement; establish a mind that is undisturbed, and abandon the state of worldly existence. Like the fruit of the tinduka tree, do not let the impurity of delusion arise and burn within you in vain; do not fall into dullness. There is nothing here so exalted that, by attaining it, you reach supreme fulfillment. Relying on this, forcibly abandon fickleness and attain steadfast courage, O deceitful mind.” Thus, contemplating in this way within his own sovereignty, King Janaka performed all his duties. With unwavering intellect, he was never deluded. His mind remained steady, never surging forth in pleasure, always balanced and clear. From that time forward, he neither abandoned nor clung excessively to what he perceived; he remained established in the present, free from doubt. Through constant discernment, his mind never again acquired any stain, just as the royal sky remains unblemished. By the power of his own inquiry, his mind attained perfect knowledge—boundless and pure. His consciousness, free from the taint of false notions and afflictions, arose within his heart like the sun rising in the sky. He perceived all phenomena as spread within the mind like jewels, recognizing them as his own infinite self, the knower of the essence of all beings. He was never elated nor sorrowful, always maintaining an even mind, naturally engaged in worldly affairs. From that moment, Janaka became liberated while living, endowed with mature wisdom and knowing both the inner and outer nature of people. Ruling the Videhas and sustaining his people, Janaka was untouched by joy or sorrow, nor was he ever disturbed. He neither set nor rose, being free from all merits and faults; by gains or losses arising in his own kingdom, he was neither dejected nor elated. Even while acting, he did nothing at all—remaining always established as a living-liberated being. Just as for a king in deep sleep, all notions regarding all things had completely set in Janaka. He did not reflect on the future or dwell on the past; he abided, laughing, only in the present moment. O lotus-eyed Rama, whatever was to be attained, Janaka attained solely through his own discernment, not by any other desire. So far and only so far does one reflect with one’s own mind, until the ultimate boundary of inquiry is reached. That state is not attained from a teacher, nor from the meaning of scriptures, nor from merit; it arises from noble association and clear, thorough inquiry of the mind. That state is reached only by one’s own sincere, straightforward wisdom, which is affectionate and innate—not by any other name or action. For one whose flame of wisdom burns brightly, examining both past and future, darkness never pursues him. Calamities, difficult to cross and filled with waves of sorrow, are overcome by wisdom, O wise one, just as a boat crosses the waters. Even a small misfortune afflicts the foolish who lack wisdom, just as a weak gust of wind shakes a hollow reed. Even without help, scriptures, or companions, the wise one crosses the ocean of worldly existence, O Rama, like a boat reaching the far shore.