। ॥ १३७ ॥
In plain words
Night. A house. A lamp burning steadily — and a thief carrying off the money. Did the lamp urge him on? Did it hold him back? Just so the ātman.
Close to the Sanskrit
At night, in the house, while the lamp is shining, the thief for his part carries off the wealth. Does the lamp impel him, or restrain him? Just so the Self also.