ncrease.
As the pure gem (called Suryakanta) absorbs and attracts to itself, the
rays of the Sun, even so, O tiger among kings, does Yoga proceed by help
of concentrated attention.[1561] As sesame seeds, in consequence of their
repeated intermingling with (fragrant) flowers, become in respect of
quality very agreeable, even so the quality of Sattwa arises in men in
proportion to the measure of their association with persons of cleansed
souls.[1562] When one becomes desirous of dwelling in heaven, one casts
off one's spouses and wealth and rank and vehicles and diverse kinds of
good acts. Indeed, when one attains to such a frame of mind, one's
understanding is said to be dissociated from the objects of the senses.
That man (on the other hand) who, with understanding attached to the
objects of the senses, becomes blind to what is for his real good, is
dragged (to his ruin) by his heart which runs after all worldly objects,
like a fish (dragged to its ruin) by the bait of meat. Like unto the body
that is made up of different limbs and organs, all mortal creatures exist
depending upon one another. They are as destitute of vigour as the pith
of the banana plant. (Left to themselves) they sink in the world's ocean
like a boat (made of weak materials). There is no fixed time for the
acquisition of righteousness. Death waits for no man. When man is
constantly running towards the jaws of Death, the accomplishment of
righteous acts is proper at all times. Like a blind man who, with
attention, is capable of moving about his own house, the man of wisdom,
with mind set on Yoga, succeeds in proceeding along the track (he should
follow).[1563] It has been said that death arises in consequence of
birth. Birth is subject to the sway of death. One unacquainted with the
course of the duties of Emancipation revolves like a wheel between birth
and death, unable to free oneself from that fate. One who walketh along
the track recommended by the understanding earns happiness both here and
hereafter. The Diverse are fraught with misery, while the Few are
productive of happiness. Fruits represented by the not-Soul are said to
constitute the Diverse. Renunciation is (said to constitute the Few and
that is) productive of the soul's happiness.[1564] As the lotus stalk
quickly leaves the mire attached to it, even so the Soul can speedily
cast off the mind.[1565] It is the mind that at first inclines the Soul
to Yoga. The latter then merges the former