d to sprout forth, after the same manner, the acts of men
cause rebirth. As a seed, fried on a pan or otherwise, becomes unable to
sprout forth although the capacity for sprouting was there, after the
same manner my understanding having been freed from the productive
principle constituted by desire, by the instruction of the holy
Panchasikha of the mendicant order, it no longer produces its fruit in
the form of attachment to the object of the senses. I never experience
love for my spouse or hate for my foes. Indeed, I keep aloof from both,
beholding the fruitlessness of attachment and wrath. I regard both
persons equally, viz., him that smears my right hand with sandal-paste
and him that wounds my left. Having attained my (true) object, I am
happy, and look equally upon a clod of earth, a piece of stone, and a
lump of gold. I am freed from attachments of every kind, though am
engaged in ruling a kingdom. In consequence of all this I am
distinguished over all bearers of triple sticks. Some foremost of men
that are conversant with the topic of Emancipation say that Emancipation
has a triple path, (these are knowledge, Yoga, and sacrifices and rites).
Some regard knowledge having all things of the world for its object as
the means of emancipation. Some hold that the total renunciation of acts
(both external and internal) is the means thereof. Another class of
persons conversant with the scriptures of Emancipation say that Knowledge
is the single means. Other, viz. Yatis, endued with subtile vision, hold
that acts constitute the means. The high-souled Panchasikha, discarding
both the opinion about knowledge and acts, regarded the third as the only
means of Emancipation. If men leading the domestic mode of life be endued
with Yama and Niyama, they become the equals of Sannyasins. If, on the
other hand, Sannyasins be endued with desire and aversion and spouses and
honour and pride and affection, they become the equals of men leading
domestic modes of life.[1682] If one can attain to Emancipation by means
of knowledge, then may Emancipation exist in triple sticks (for there is
nothing to prevent the bearers of such stick from acquiring the needful
knowledge). Why then may Emancipation not exist in the umbrella and the
sceptre as well, especially when there is equal reason in taking up the
triple stick and the sceptre?[1683] One becomes attached to all those
things and acts with which one has need for the sake of one's own self
f