Chapter XLV - Theism consisting in true knowledge

Sarasvati continued:—

1. Know Lila! this Viduratha, thy husband, will lose his life in this battle-field; and his soul will repair to the sepulchre in the inner apartment, where it will resume its former state.

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Upon hearing these words of the goddess, the second Lila, who was standing by, bent herself lowly before the goddess, and addressed her with her folded palms.

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The second Lila's speech. Goddess! the genius of intelligence is ever adored by me, and she gives me her visits in my nightly dreams.

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I find thee here exactly of her likeness; therefore give me thy blessing, thou goddess with the beauteous face.

Vasishtha said:—

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The goddess being thus addressed by the lady, remembered her faith and reliance in her, and then spake with complacence to the lady standing suppliant before her.

The goddess said:—

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I am pleased my child, with thy unfailing and unslakened adoration of me all thy lifetime; now say what thou askest of me.

The second lila said:—

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Ordain O goddess, that I may accompany my husband with this body of mine to whatever place he is destined to go, after his death in the war.

The goddess replied:—

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Be it so my child; that hast worshipped me with all diligence and without fail, with flowers, incense and offerings.

Vasishtha said:—

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The second Lila being gladdened by this blessing of the goddess, the first Lila, was much puzzled in her mind at the difference of their states.

The first lila said:—

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Those who are desirous of truth, and they whose desires lean towards godliness, have all their wishes fulfilled without delay and fail.

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Then tell me, goddess! why could I not keep company with my Brahmana husband with my body of the Brahmani, but had to be taken to him in the hilly mansion after my death, (and reproduction in the present form).

The goddess answered saying said:—

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Know O excellent lady! that I have no power to do anything; but every thing happens to pass according to the desire of the living being.

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Know me only as the presiding divinity of wisdom, and I reveal everything according to my knowledge of it. It is by virtue of the intellectual powers as exhibited in every being, that it attains its particular end.

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It is according to the development of the mental powers of living beings in every state, that it obtains its object in the manner and in the same state as it aims at.

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You had attained the powers of your understanding by your devotedness to my service, and have always desired of me for being liberated from flesh.

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I have accordingly awakened your understanding in that way, whereby you have been able to arrive at your present state of purity.

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It was by cause of your constant desire of liberation, that you have gained the same state, by enlargement (of the powers) of your intellect.

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Whoever exerts his bodily powers according to the dictates of his understanding, is sure to succeed in gaining his object sooner or later.

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Performance of austerities and adoration of gods, are as vain without cultivation of the intellect, as to expect the falling of fruits from the sky.

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Without cultivation of the intellect and exertion of manly powers, there is no way to success;do therefore as you may choose for yourself.

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It is verily the state of one's mind, that leads his internal soul to that state which it thinks upon, and to that prosperity which it attempts to obtain.

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Now distinguish between what is desirable or disagreeable to you, and choose that which is holy and perfect, and you will certainly arrive to it.