nt recitation, are needed the subduing of the senses and the fixing
of the mind (after withdrawal from external objects); as also truth
keeping up of the (sacred) fire, residence in solitude, meditation,
penance, self-restraint, forgiveness, benevolence, abstemiousness in
respect of food, withdrawal from worldly attachments, the absence of
talkativeness, and tranquillity. These constitute a sacrifice in acts
(leading to the fruition of desire about heaven or felicity in next
life).[624] Listen now to the course that consists of abstention (from
acts). The manner in which the acts of the Reciter observing the vow of
Brahmacharya may cease, I will presently declare. Such a person should
conduct himself in every way according to what has been (already) said by
me.[625] Betaking himself to the path of abstention, he should seek to
extinguish his dependence on both the External and the Internal. Sitting
on kusa grass, with kusa in hand, and binding his coronal locks with
kusa, he should surround himself with kusa and have kusa for robes.
Bowing unto all earthly concerns, he should take leave of them and never
think of them. Assuming equability by the aid of his mind, he should fix
his mind on the mind itself. Reciting the highly beneficial composition
(viz., the Gayatri), he meditates with the aid of his intellect on Brahma
alone. Afterwards he leaves off even that, being then absorbed in
concentrated contemplation.[626] In consequence of his dependence on the
strength of the Gayatri which he recites, this concentrated contemplation
will come of itself. By penances he attains to purity of soul, and
self-restraint, and cessation of aversion and desire. Freed from
attachment and delusion, above the influence of all pairs of opposites
(such as heat and cold, joy and sorrow, etc.), he never grieves and never
suffers himself to be drawn towards worldly objects. He does not regard
himself as the actor nor as the enjoyer or sufferer of the consequences
of his acts. He never, through selfishness, fixes his mind on anything.
Without being employed in the acquisition of wealth, he abstains also
from disregarding or insulting others, but not from work. The work in
which he is employed is that of meditation; he is devoted to meditation,
and seeks meditation unalterably. By meditation he succeeds in bringing
about concentrated contemplation, and then gradually leaves off
meditation itself. In that state he enjoys the felicity which attaches