, in
consequence of sin one's thirst is never slaked. One's thirst is slaked
only when one's sin is destroyed. In consequence of attachment to worldly
objects, which has a tendency to perpetuate itself, one wishes for things
other than those for which one should wish, and accordingly fails to
attain to the Supreme.[684] From the destruction of all sinful deeds,
knowledge arises in men. Upon the appearance of Knowledge, one beholds
one's Soul in one's understanding even as one sees one's own reflection
in a polished mirror. One obtains misery in consequence of one's senses
being unrestrained. One obtains happiness in consequence of one's senses
being restrained. Therefore, one should restrain one's mind by
self-effort from objects apprehended by the senses.[685] Above the senses
is the mind; above the mind is the understanding; above the understanding
is the Soul; above the Soul is the Supreme or Great. From the Unmanifest
hath sprung the Soul; from the Soul hath sprung the Understanding; from
the Understanding hath sprung the Mind. When the Mind becomes associated
with the senses, then it apprehends sound and the other objects of the
senses. He who casts off those objects, as also all that are manifest, he
who liberates himself from all things that arise from primordial matter,
being so freed, enjoys immortality.[686] The Sun rising diffuses his
rays. When he sets, he withdraws unto himself those very rays that were
diffused by him. After the same manner, the Soul, entering the body,
obtains the fivefold objects of the senses by diffusing over them his
rays represented by the senses. When, however, he turns back, he is said
to set by withdrawing those rays unto himself.[687] Repeatedly led along
the path that is created by acts, he obtains the fruits of his acts in
consequence of his having followed the practice of acts.[688] Desire for
the objects of the senses keeps away from a person who does not indulge
in such desire. The very principle of desire, however, leaves him who has
beheld his soul, which, of course, is entirely free from desire.[689]
When the Understanding, freed from attachment to the objects of the
senses, becomes fixed in the mind, then does one succeed in attaining to
Brahma, for it is there that the mind with the understanding withdrawn
into it can possibly be extinguished. Brahma is not an object of touch,
or of hearing, or of taste, or of sight, or of smell, or of any deductive
inference from the Kno