“How so? What roots are to a tree, the nooses of desire are to jīvas. As the roots are removed little by little (cut away), the tree's growth dwindles little by little. So long as even one root remains as its support, the tree does not dry up and fall, does not die; only when the roots are removed entirely does the tree die and topple. If the tree stands without dying, toppling or drying up, the words of those who say ‘We have removed the roots entirely’ are a sham. In the same way, as the jīva's nooses of desire are reduced little by little, the Māyā that has taken hold of the jīva subsides little by little. Some who practise dhyāna-sādhana check only some of them (reduce them) and do dhyāna. Such people attain neither full one-pointedness nor full restlessness, and in that middle state they spoil their understanding. What is the reason?”