and
by certainty all kinds of doubt, by taciturnity, loquaciousness, and by
courage, every kind of fear.[1305] Speech and mind are to be subdued by
the Understanding, and the Understanding, in its turn, is to be kept
under control by the eye of knowledge. Knowledge, again, is to be
controlled by acquaintance with the Soul, and finally the Soul is to be
controlled by the Soul.[1306] This last is attainable by those that are
of pure-acts and endued with tranquillity of soul,[1307] the means being
the subjugation of those five impediments of Yoga of which the learned
speak. By casting off desire and wrath and covetousness and fear and
sleep, one should, restraining speech, practise what is favourable to
Yoga, viz., contemplation, study, gift, truth, modesty, candour,
forgiveness, purity of heart, purity in respect of food, and the
subjugation of the senses. By these one's energy is increased, sins are
dispelled, wishes crowned with fruition, and knowledge (of diverse kinds)
gained. When one becomes cleansed of one's sins and possessed of energy
and frugal of fare and the master of one's senses, one then, having
conquered both desire and wrath, seeks to attain to Brahma. The avoidance
of ignorance (by listening to and studying the scriptures), the absence
of attachment (in consequence of Renunciation), freedom from desire and
wrath (by adoption of contentment and forgiveness), the puissance that is
won by Yoga, the absence of pride and haughtiness, freedom from anxiety
(by subjugation of every kind of fear), absence of attachment of anything
like home and family,--these constitute the path of Emancipation. That
path is delightful, stainless, and pure. Similarly, the restraining of
speech, of body, and of mind, when practised from the absence of desire,
constitutes also the path of Emancipation."'"[1308]

SECTION CCLXXV

"'Bhishma said, "In this connection is cited the old narrative of the
discourse that took place between Narada and Asita-Devala. Once on a time
Narada, beholding that foremost of intelligent men, viz., Devala of
venerable years, seated at his ease, questioned him about the origin and
the destruction of all creatures."

"'"Narada said, 'Whence, O Brahmana, hath this universe, consisting of
mobile and immobile objects, been created? When again doth the
all-embracing destruction come, into whom doth it merge? Let thy learned
self discourse to me on this.'

"'"Asita said, 'Those from which the Supreme So