Verse 7

¹So of old the self-born one, by holding his mind, won back from the well-pleased Lord the memory he had lost; and with sight that does not fail and an understanding set upon the task, he sent this world forth again just as it had been before it was dissolved. ²For this is the path of the Brahman that is sound: that the mind meditates by way of names which lead nowhere. Wandering there it does not find the things themselves, but lies asleep in what is made of maya, held down by its own habits. ³Therefore let the wise take from names only so much as serves the purpose, watchful and with the understanding settled; and where the purpose is served otherwise, let him not labour there, seeing that it is only toil.

⁴When there is earth, what need of the trouble of a bed? When one's own arm is there, what need of pillows? When there are cupped hands, what need of many dishes? When there are the quarters of the sky, and bark and the rest, what need of fine cloth? ⁵Are there no rags along the road? Do the trees, which feed others, offer no alms? Have the rivers dried up? Are the caves shut? Does the Unconquered not protect those who come to him? Then why do wise men serve those blinded by the mad pride of wealth? ⁶So, established in one's own mind by himself alone, is the Self, the beloved end, the Bhagavan who has no end. Let a person serve him, at rest and with settled purpose; in him the cause of rebirth comes to an end.

⁷Who but the beasts would set that meditation on the Supreme aside and take up one that is unreal, when he sees people fallen into the Vaitarani and tasting the torments their own acts have made?