has ever been seen to have driven off Time from him.
Ancient and eternal, and the embodiment of justice, Time is uniform in
respect of all living creatures. Time cannot be avoided, and there is no
retrogression in its course. Like a usurer adding up his interest, Time
adds up its subtile portions represented by kalas, and lavas, and
kashthas, and kshanas, and months, and days and nights. Like the current
of a river washing away a tree whose roots are reached by it, Time,
getting at him who says, "This I will do today but this other act I will
do tomorrow" sweeps him away. Time sweeps away one and men exclaim, "I
saw him a little while ago. How has he died?" Wealth, comforts, rank,
prosperity, all fall a prey to Time. Approaching every living creature,
Time snatches away his life. All things that proudly raise their heads
high are destined to fall down. That which is existent is only another
form of the non-existent. Everything is transitory and unstable. Such a
conviction is, however, difficult to come at. Thy understanding, so firm
and endued with true vision, is unmoved. Thou dost not, even mentally,
realise what thou wert some time ago. Time that is strong, assailing the
universe, cooks it within itself and sweeps away everything without
consideration of seniority of years or the reverse. For all that, one
that is being dragged by Time is unconscious of the noose thrown round
one's neck. People, given to jealousy and vanity and cupidity to lust,
wrath, and fear, to desire, heedlessness, and pride, suffer themselves to
be stupefied. Thou, however, art acquainted with the truth of existence.
Thou art possessed of learning and endued with wisdom and penance. Thou
beholdest Time as clearly as if it were an emblic myrobalan on the palm
of thy hand. O son of Virochana, fully conversant art thou with the topic
of Time's conduct. Thou art well-versed in all branches of knowledge.
Thou art of cleansed Soul and a thorough master of thy persons. Thou art,
for this, an object of affection with all persons endued with wisdom.
Thou hast, with thy understanding, fully comprehended the whole universe.
Though thou hast enjoyed every kind of happiness, thou art never attached
to anything, and hence thou hast not been stained by anything. The
qualities of Passion and Darkness do not soil thee for thou hast
conquered thy senses. Thou waitest only upon thy Soul which is divested
of both joy and sorrow. The friend of all creatures, without a