Section XII

"Vasudeva said, "There are two kinds of ailments, physical and mental. They are produced by the mutual action of the body and mind on each other, and they never arise without the interaction of the two. The ailment that is produced in the body, is called the physical ailment, and that which has its seat in the mind, is known as the mental ailment. The cold, the warm (phlegm and bile) as well as the windy humours, O king, are the essential transformations generated in the physical body, and when these humours are evenly distributed, and are present in due proportions, they are said to be symptomatic of good health. The warm humour is acted upon (allayed) by the cold, and the cold by the warm. And Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are the attributes of the soul, and it is said by the learned that their presence in due proportions indicates health (of the mind). But if any of the three preponderates, some remedy is enjoined (to restore the equilibrium). Happiness is overcome by sorrow, and sorrow by pleasure. Some people while afflicted by sorrow, desire to recall (past) happiness, while others, while in the enjoyment of happiness, desire to recall past sorrow. But you, O son of Kunti, dost neither desire to recall your sorrows nor your happiness; what else dost you desire to recall barring this delusion of sorrow? Or, perchance, O son, of Pritha, it is your innate nature, by which you are at present overpowered. You dost not desire to recall to your mind the painful sight of Krishna standing in the hall of assembly with only one piece of cloth to cover her body, and while she was in her menses and in the presence of all the Pandavas. And it is not meet that you should brood over your departure from the city, and your exile with the hide of the antelope for your robe, and your wanderings in the great forest, nor should you recall to your mind the affliction from Jatasura, the fight with Citrasena, and your troubles from the Saindhavas. Nor it is proper, O son of Pritha, and conqueror of your foes, that you should recall the incident of Kicaka’s kicking Draupadi, during the period of your exile passed in absolute concealment, nor the incidents of the fight which took place between thyself and Drona and Bhishma. The time has now arrived, when you must fight the battle which each must fight single-handed with his mind. Therefore, O chief of Bharata’s race, you must now prepare to carry the struggle against your mind, and by dint of abstraction and the merit of thine own Karma, you must reach the other side of (overcome) the mysterious and unintelligible (mind). In this war there will be no need for any missiles, nor for friends, nor attendants. The battle which is to be fought alone and single-handed has now arrived for you. And if vanquished in this struggle, you shalt find thyself in the most wretched plight, and O son of Kunti, knowing this, and acting accordingly, shalt you attain success. And knowing this wisdom and the destiny of all creatures, and following the conduct of your ancestors, do you duly administer your kingdom."