Chapter CXXIII - On the difference between the knowing and unknowing

Argument: Theoretical and Practical Yogas and the practices of Aerial journey &c.

Rama said:—

1. [Sanskrit available]
Tell me sir, that art most learned in spiritual knowledge, whether the living liberated man of this kind (as you have described) attains to any extraordinary power; (or remains neutral with his theoretical knowledge of yoga only).

Vasishtha replied:—

2. [Sanskrit available]
The all-knowing sage, has sometimes a greater knowledge of one thing than another, and has his mind directed in one particular way than any other; but the learned seer of a contented mind, has his soul quite at rest in itself.

3. [Sanskrit available]
There are many that have by their consummate knowledge of particular mantras, tantras, and the virtues of certain minerals, attained the power of aerial flight &c.; but what is there that is extraordinary in these (when these powers are in constant practice in the flight of ordinary birds and flies?).

4. [Sanskrit available]
So the powers of self-expansion and contraction &c., have been acquired by others by their constant practice of the same, (anima, laghima and the like), which are disregarded by other seers in spiritual knowledge.

5. [Sanskrit available]
There is this difference of these knowing seers, from the bulk of idle practitioners in yoga, that they are content with their dispassionate mind, without placing any reliance in practice.

6. [Sanskrit available]
This is verily the sign of the unconspicuous seer in yoga, that he is always cool and calm in his mind, and freed from all the errors of the world; and in whom the traces of the passions of love and anger, sorrow and illusion and the mischances of life are scarcely visible.