SECTION XV.Parāçara said—Having heard those words the king became speechless and engaged in meditation and the Brahmin told a tale illustrating the principles of unity.The Brahmin said—"Hear O great king what in the days of yore Ribhu said for the instruction of illustrious Nidagka. The great patriarch Brahmā had a son by Ribhu, who was by nature, O king, conversant with true wisdom. A son of Pulastya by name Nidagha became his disciple and (Ribhu) greatly delighted gave him various instructions. O lord of men, he being thus instructed, Ribhu did not doubt of his being fully confirmed in the doctrines of unity."The residence of Pulastya was at Viranagara, a big, beautiful city, situated on the banks of the river Devika. And there lived in a beautiful grove near this river, Nidagha, the disciple of Ribhu, acquainted with all devotional practices. After a thousand divine years Ribhu went to the city of Pulastya to see his pupil who stood at the gate after the completion of the sacrifice to Viswadevas. He was beheld by his pupil who came there specially to offer him Arghya, (the usual present) and led him into the house. And when his hands and feet were washed and he was seated Nidagha requested him respectfully to eat."Ribhu said—‘O foremost of Brahmins, tell me what food is there in your house? I do not like wretched food.'"Nidagha said—‘There are cakes, of meal, rice, barley and pulse in my house. Eat, O reverend Sir, whatever pleases you best.'"Ribhu:—O twice-born one, these are wretched viands. Give me sweet meats. Give me rice boiled with sugar, wheaten cakes and milk with curd and molasses.'"Nidagha said—'O dame, quickly prepare whatever is most excellent and sweet in my house and satisfy him therewith.'"Having been thus addressed the wife of Nidagha in consonance with her husband's behest prepared sweet food and placed it before the Brahmin. And, O king, he then, spoke humbly to the great Muni, who was delightedly eating the meal."Nidagha—‘Have you been greatly delighted with this meal, O twice-born one? Has your mind obtained contentment? Where is your residence, O Brahmin and where are you going? And tell me, whence art thou coming, O twice-born one?'"Ribhu said:—‘O twice-born one, he, who has got appetite, is pleased with his meals. I have got no appetite and hence have got no satisfaction: why do you question me in vain? Hunger is created, when by fire the earthly element is dried; and thirst is produced when the moisture of the body is absorbed by internal heat. These are the the functions of the body, O twice-born one, not mine—I am satisfied with that by which they are removed. And pleasure and contentment are the faculties of the mind, O twice-born one; ask those men about it whose minds are affected by them. As regards your three other questions—Where I dwell, wither I go and whence I come, hear my reply."'Man goes everywhere and penetrates everywhere like the ether. Then is it rational to ask "Where is thy residence? Whence are you coming? And where will you go?" I am not coming from anywhere. I shall not go anywhere and I do not live in one place. Such is the case with you and other men. What people see of you is not realyou; what people see of other men are not realthey, and what people see of me is not realI. I made distinction between the sweetened and not sweetened food only to hear of your opinion about that: do thou hear my explanation about this, O twice-born one. Is there anything really sweet and not sweet to him who takes meals? That which is considered sweet is no longer so when it causes the sense of repletion, and that which is not sweet, becomes so when a man considers it as such. What food is there which is equally delightful from the first to the middle and last? As a house built of clay is strengthened by fresh plaster so this earthly body is maintained by earthly atoms. And barley, wheat, pulse, butter, oil, milk, curds, treacle, fruits and the like are made of earthly atoms. You have now understood what is sweet and what is not; do you so act that you may be impressed with the notion of identity which leads to final liberation.'"Having heard those words explaining the true end of life, the illustrious Nidagha humbly bowed to him and said—'Be then propitiated with me, O twice-born one. Thou hast come here for my welfare. Tell me whence thou hast come? Hearing thy words the infatuation of my mind is removed'."Ribhu said:—'O twice-born one, I am thy preceptor Ribhu. I have come here to confer upon thee the true knowledge. Now I depart; for you have been acquainted with the true end of life. Consider again this universe to be one undivided nature of the supreme spirit Vāsudeva'."Having said 'so be it' Nidagha reverentially bowed to and worshipped him. And Ribhu too repaired to his wished-for quarter".
SECTION XV.Parāçara said—Having heard those words the king became speechless and engaged in meditation and the Brahmin told a tale illustrating the principles of unity.The Brahmin said—"Hear O great king what in the days of yore Ribhu said for the instruction of illustrious Nidagka. The great patriarch Brahmā had a son by Ribhu, who was by nature, O king, conversant with true wisdom. A son of Pulastya by name Nidagha became his disciple and (Ribhu) greatly delighted gave him various instructions. O lord of men, he being thus instructed, Ribhu did not doubt of his being fully confirmed in the doctrines of unity."The residence of Pulastya was at Viranagara, a big, beautiful city, situated on the banks of the river Devika. And there lived in a beautiful grove near this river, Nidagha, the disciple of Ribhu, acquainted with all devotional practices. After a thousand divine years Ribhu went to the city of Pulastya to see his pupil who stood at the gate after the completion of the sacrifice to Viswadevas. He was beheld by his pupil who came there specially to offer him Arghya, (the usual present) and led him into the house. And when his hands and feet were washed and he was seated Nidagha requested him respectfully to eat."Ribhu said—‘O foremost of Brahmins, tell me what food is there in your house? I do not like wretched food.'"Nidagha said—‘There are cakes, of meal, rice, barley and pulse in my house. Eat, O reverend Sir, whatever pleases you best.'"Ribhu:—O twice-born one, these are wretched viands. Give me sweet meats. Give me rice boiled with sugar, wheaten cakes and milk with curd and molasses.'"Nidagha said—'O dame, quickly prepare whatever is most excellent and sweet in my house and satisfy him therewith.'"Having been thus addressed the wife of Nidagha in consonance with her husband's behest prepared sweet food and placed it before the Brahmin. And, O king, he then, spoke humbly to the great Muni, who was delightedly eating the meal."Nidagha—‘Have you been greatly delighted with this meal, O twice-born one? Has your mind obtained contentment? Where is your residence, O Brahmin and where are you going? And tell me, whence art thou coming, O twice-born one?'"Ribhu said:—‘O twice-born one, he, who has got appetite, is pleased with his meals. I have got no appetite and hence have got no satisfaction: why do you question me in vain? Hunger is created, when by fire the earthly element is dried; and thirst is produced when the moisture of the body is absorbed by internal heat. These are the the functions of the body, O twice-born one, not mine—I am satisfied with that by which they are removed. And pleasure and contentment are the faculties of the mind, O twice-born one; ask those men about it whose minds are affected by them. As regards your three other questions—Where I dwell, wither I go and whence I come, hear my reply."'Man goes everywhere and penetrates everywhere like the ether. Then is it rational to ask "Where is thy residence? Whence are you coming? And where will you go?" I am not coming from anywhere. I shall not go anywhere and I do not live in one place. Such is the case with you and other men. What people see of you is not realyou; what people see of other men are not realthey, and what people see of me is not realI. I made distinction between the sweetened and not sweetened food only to hear of your opinion about that: do thou hear my explanation about this, O twice-born one. Is there anything really sweet and not sweet to him who takes meals? That which is considered sweet is no longer so when it causes the sense of repletion, and that which is not sweet, becomes so when a man considers it as such. What food is there which is equally delightful from the first to the middle and last? As a house built of clay is strengthened by fresh plaster so this earthly body is maintained by earthly atoms. And barley, wheat, pulse, butter, oil, milk, curds, treacle, fruits and the like are made of earthly atoms. You have now understood what is sweet and what is not; do you so act that you may be impressed with the notion of identity which leads to final liberation.'"Having heard those words explaining the true end of life, the illustrious Nidagha humbly bowed to him and said—'Be then propitiated with me, O twice-born one. Thou hast come here for my welfare. Tell me whence thou hast come? Hearing thy words the infatuation of my mind is removed'."Ribhu said:—'O twice-born one, I am thy preceptor Ribhu. I have come here to confer upon thee the true knowledge. Now I depart; for you have been acquainted with the true end of life. Consider again this universe to be one undivided nature of the supreme spirit Vāsudeva'."Having said 'so be it' Nidagha reverentially bowed to and worshipped him. And Ribhu too repaired to his wished-for quarter".
SECTION XV.Parāçara said—Having heard those words the king became speechless and engaged in meditation and the Brahmin told a tale illustrating the principles of unity.The Brahmin said—"Hear O great king what in the days of yore Ribhu said for the instruction of illustrious Nidagka. The great patriarch Brahmā had a son by Ribhu, who was by nature, O king, conversant with true wisdom. A son of Pulastya by name Nidagha became his disciple and (Ribhu) greatly delighted gave him various instructions. O lord of men, he being thus instructed, Ribhu did not doubt of his being fully confirmed in the doctrines of unity."The residence of Pulastya was at Viranagara, a big, beautiful city, situated on the banks of the river Devika. And there lived in a beautiful grove near this river, Nidagha, the disciple of Ribhu, acquainted with all devotional practices. After a thousand divine years Ribhu went to the city of Pulastya to see his pupil who stood at the gate after the completion of the sacrifice to Viswadevas. He was beheld by his pupil who came there specially to offer him Arghya, (the usual present) and led him into the house. And when his hands and feet were washed and he was seated Nidagha requested him respectfully to eat."Ribhu said—‘O foremost of Brahmins, tell me what food is there in your house? I do not like wretched food.'"Nidagha said—‘There are cakes, of meal, rice, barley and pulse in my house. Eat, O reverend Sir, whatever pleases you best.'"Ribhu:—O twice-born one, these are wretched viands. Give me sweet meats. Give me rice boiled with sugar, wheaten cakes and milk with curd and molasses.'"Nidagha said—'O dame, quickly prepare whatever is most excellent and sweet in my house and satisfy him therewith.'"Having been thus addressed the wife of Nidagha in consonance with her husband's behest prepared sweet food and placed it before the Brahmin. And, O king, he then, spoke humbly to the great Muni, who was delightedly eating the meal."Nidagha—‘Have you been greatly delighted with this meal, O twice-born one? Has your mind obtained contentment? Where is your residence, O Brahmin and where are you going? And tell me, whence art thou coming, O twice-born one?'"Ribhu said:—‘O twice-born one, he, who has got appetite, is pleased with his meals. I have got no appetite and hence have got no satisfaction: why do you question me in vain? Hunger is created, when by fire the earthly element is dried; and thirst is produced when the moisture of the body is absorbed by internal heat. These are the the functions of the body, O twice-born one, not mine—I am satisfied with that by which they are removed. And pleasure and contentment are the faculties of the mind, O twice-born one; ask those men about it whose minds are affected by them. As regards your three other questions—Where I dwell, wither I go and whence I come, hear my reply."'Man goes everywhere and penetrates everywhere like the ether. Then is it rational to ask "Where is thy residence? Whence are you coming? And where will you go?" I am not coming from anywhere. I shall not go anywhere and I do not live in one place. Such is the case with you and other men. What people see of you is not realyou; what people see of other men are not realthey, and what people see of me is not realI. I made distinction between the sweetened and not sweetened food only to hear of your opinion about that: do thou hear my explanation about this, O twice-born one. Is there anything really sweet and not sweet to him who takes meals? That which is considered sweet is no longer so when it causes the sense of repletion, and that which is not sweet, becomes so when a man considers it as such. What food is there which is equally delightful from the first to the middle and last? As a house built of clay is strengthened by fresh plaster so this earthly body is maintained by earthly atoms. And barley, wheat, pulse, butter, oil, milk, curds, treacle, fruits and the like are made of earthly atoms. You have now understood what is sweet and what is not; do you so act that you may be impressed with the notion of identity which leads to final liberation.'"Having heard those words explaining the true end of life, the illustrious Nidagha humbly bowed to him and said—'Be then propitiated with me, O twice-born one. Thou hast come here for my welfare. Tell me whence thou hast come? Hearing thy words the infatuation of my mind is removed'."Ribhu said:—'O twice-born one, I am thy preceptor Ribhu. I have come here to confer upon thee the true knowledge. Now I depart; for you have been acquainted with the true end of life. Consider again this universe to be one undivided nature of the supreme spirit Vāsudeva'."Having said 'so be it' Nidagha reverentially bowed to and worshipped him. And Ribhu too repaired to his wished-for quarter".
Parāçara said—Having heard those words the king became speechless and engaged in meditation and the Brahmin told a tale illustrating the principles of unity.
The Brahmin said—"Hear O great king what in the days of yore Ribhu said for the instruction of illustrious Nidagka. The great patriarch Brahmā had a son by Ribhu, who was by nature, O king, conversant with true wisdom. A son of Pulastya by name Nidagha became his disciple and (Ribhu) greatly delighted gave him various instructions. O lord of men, he being thus instructed, Ribhu did not doubt of his being fully confirmed in the doctrines of unity.
"The residence of Pulastya was at Viranagara, a big, beautiful city, situated on the banks of the river Devika. And there lived in a beautiful grove near this river, Nidagha, the disciple of Ribhu, acquainted with all devotional practices. After a thousand divine years Ribhu went to the city of Pulastya to see his pupil who stood at the gate after the completion of the sacrifice to Viswadevas. He was beheld by his pupil who came there specially to offer him Arghya, (the usual present) and led him into the house. And when his hands and feet were washed and he was seated Nidagha requested him respectfully to eat.
"Ribhu said—‘O foremost of Brahmins, tell me what food is there in your house? I do not like wretched food.'
"Nidagha said—‘There are cakes, of meal, rice, barley and pulse in my house. Eat, O reverend Sir, whatever pleases you best.'
"Ribhu:—O twice-born one, these are wretched viands. Give me sweet meats. Give me rice boiled with sugar, wheaten cakes and milk with curd and molasses.'
"Nidagha said—'O dame, quickly prepare whatever is most excellent and sweet in my house and satisfy him therewith.'
"Having been thus addressed the wife of Nidagha in consonance with her husband's behest prepared sweet food and placed it before the Brahmin. And, O king, he then, spoke humbly to the great Muni, who was delightedly eating the meal.
"Nidagha—‘Have you been greatly delighted with this meal, O twice-born one? Has your mind obtained contentment? Where is your residence, O Brahmin and where are you going? And tell me, whence art thou coming, O twice-born one?'
"Ribhu said:—‘O twice-born one, he, who has got appetite, is pleased with his meals. I have got no appetite and hence have got no satisfaction: why do you question me in vain? Hunger is created, when by fire the earthly element is dried; and thirst is produced when the moisture of the body is absorbed by internal heat. These are the the functions of the body, O twice-born one, not mine—I am satisfied with that by which they are removed. And pleasure and contentment are the faculties of the mind, O twice-born one; ask those men about it whose minds are affected by them. As regards your three other questions—Where I dwell, wither I go and whence I come, hear my reply.
"'Man goes everywhere and penetrates everywhere like the ether. Then is it rational to ask "Where is thy residence? Whence are you coming? And where will you go?" I am not coming from anywhere. I shall not go anywhere and I do not live in one place. Such is the case with you and other men. What people see of you is not realyou; what people see of other men are not realthey, and what people see of me is not realI. I made distinction between the sweetened and not sweetened food only to hear of your opinion about that: do thou hear my explanation about this, O twice-born one. Is there anything really sweet and not sweet to him who takes meals? That which is considered sweet is no longer so when it causes the sense of repletion, and that which is not sweet, becomes so when a man considers it as such. What food is there which is equally delightful from the first to the middle and last? As a house built of clay is strengthened by fresh plaster so this earthly body is maintained by earthly atoms. And barley, wheat, pulse, butter, oil, milk, curds, treacle, fruits and the like are made of earthly atoms. You have now understood what is sweet and what is not; do you so act that you may be impressed with the notion of identity which leads to final liberation.'
"Having heard those words explaining the true end of life, the illustrious Nidagha humbly bowed to him and said—'Be then propitiated with me, O twice-born one. Thou hast come here for my welfare. Tell me whence thou hast come? Hearing thy words the infatuation of my mind is removed'.
"Ribhu said:—'O twice-born one, I am thy preceptor Ribhu. I have come here to confer upon thee the true knowledge. Now I depart; for you have been acquainted with the true end of life. Consider again this universe to be one undivided nature of the supreme spirit Vāsudeva'.
"Having said 'so be it' Nidagha reverentially bowed to and worshipped him. And Ribhu too repaired to his wished-for quarter".