Prose-section 12
In plain words
“Your question is well formed,” the teacher says. “It carries the subtlety and precision of an aphorism, accords with scripture, and concerns what a seeker of freedom needs to understand. Listen attentively: understanding the answer ends bondage. “The discipline begins with dispassion towards what is impermanent, followed by quietude, restraint, forbearance and withdrawal from action. Then hear Vedanta, consider its meaning, and meditate upon Brahman continuously over a sustained period. From this meditation arises nirvikalpa samadhi; through the immediate knowledge of Brahman thus obtained, the discerning seeker knows liberation’s bliss here and now. This is the course of the discipline. “Listen carefully now to the discrimination of Self and non-Self, and retain the teaching. We shall begin with the non-Self.”
Word for word
“Disciple, your question is excellent, approved by those who know scripture, aphoristic, subtle in meaning and concerned with what one desiring liberation should know. Hear my answer with an attentive mind; through it bondage will immediately depart. The first means to liberation is dispassion towards impermanent things. Next come quietude, restraint, forbearance and abandonment of all action, or withdrawal. Thereafter come hearing Vedanta, reflection upon it, and then prolonged, uninterrupted meditation upon Brahman. By the strength of the immediate knowledge of Brahman obtained through nirvikalpa samadhi arising from that continual meditation, the discerning person experiences the bliss of liberation here itself. This is the sequence of the discipline for liberation. I now explain the discrimination between Self and non-Self that you should know. Listen well and retain it in mind. Of these two, first hear about the non-Self.”