Chapter 30

“The Pitris said, ‘In this connection is cited this old history. Havingheard it, thou shouldst act according to it, O foremost of all regeneratepersons. There was a royal sage of the name Alarka endued with theausterest of penances. He was conversant with all duties, truthful inspeech, of high soul, and exceedingly firm in his vows. Having, with hisbow, conquered the whole Earth extending to the seas, and therebyachieved an exceedingly difficult feat, he set his mind on that which issubtle. While sitting at the root of a tree, his thoughts, O thou ofgreat intelligence, abandoning all those great feats, turned towards thatwhich is subtle.’

“Alarka said, ‘My mind has become strong. Having conquered the mind,one’s conquest becomes permanent. Though surrounded by foes, I shall(henceforth) shoot my arrows at other objects. Since in consequence ofits unsteadiness, it sets all mortals to accomplish acts, I shall shootvery sharp-pointed shafts at the mind.’

“The mind said, ‘These arrows, O Alarka, will never pierce me through.They will pierce only thy own vital parts, Thy vital parts being pierced,thou shalt die. Do thou look out for other arrows with which to destroyme.’ Hearing these words and reflecting upon them, he said as follows.

“Alarka said, ‘Smelling very many perfumes, the nose hankers after themonly. Hence I shall shoot whetted arrows at the nose.’

“The nose said, ‘These arrows will never cross through me, O Alarka. Theywill pierce only thy own vital parts, and thy vital parts being pierced,thou shalt die. Do thou look for other arrows with which to destroy me.’

Hearing these words and reflecting upon them, he said as follows.

“Alarka said, This one (viz., the tongue), enjoying savoury tastes,hankers after them only. Hence I shall shoot whetted shafts at thetongue.’

“The tongue said, ‘These arrows, O Alarka, will not cross through me.They will only pierce thy own vital parts and thy vital parts beingpierced, thou shalt die. Do thou look for other arrows with which todestroy me.’ Hearing these words and reflecting upon them, he said asfollows.

“Alarka said, ‘The skin, touching diverse objects of touch, hankers afterthem only. Hence, I shall tear off the skin with diverse arrows equiptwith the feathers of the Kanka.’

“The skin said, ‘These arrows will not, O Alarka, cross through me. Theywill pierce thy own vital parts only, and thy vital parts being pierced,thou shalt die. Do thou look for other arrows with which to destroy me.’Hearing these words and reflecting on them, he said as follows.

“Alarka said, ‘Hearing diverse sounds, (the ear) hankers after them only.Hence, I shall shoot whetted shafts at the ear.’

“The ear said, ‘These arrows will not, O Alarka, cross through me. Theywill pierce thy own vital parts only, and thy vital parts being pierced,thou shalt die. Do thou then look for other arrows with which to destroyme.’ Hearing these words and reflecting upon them, he said as follows.

“Alarka said, ‘Seeing many colours, the eye hankers after them only.Hence, I shall destroy the eye with sharp-pointed arrows.’

“The eye said. ‘These arrows will not, O Alarka, cross through me at all.They will pierce thy own vital parts only, and thy vital parts beingpierced, thou shalt die. Do thou then look for other arrows with which todestroy me!’ Hearing these words and reflecting upon them, he said asfollows.

“Alarka said, ‘This (viz., the understanding) forms many determinationswith the aid of ratiocination. Hence, I shall shoot whetted arrows at theunderstanding.’

“The understanding said, ‘These arrows will not, O Alarka, cross throughme at all. They will pierce thy vital parts only, and thy vital partsbeing pierced, thou shalt die. Do thou then look for other arrows withwhich to destroy me!’

“The Brahmana continued, ‘Then Alarka, employing himself, even there, onpenances difficult to perform and exceedingly austere, failed to obtain,by the high power (of his penances) arrows for casting at these seven.Endued with puissance, he then, with mind well concentrated, began toreflect. Then O best of regenerate ones, Alarka, that foremost ofintelligent men, having reflected for a long time, failed to obtainanything better than Yoga. Setting his mind on one object, he remainedperfectly still, engaged in Yoga.[83] Endued with energy, he quickly slewall the senses with one arrow, having entered by Yoga into his soul andthereby attained to the highest success. Filled with wonder, that royalsage then sang this verse: Alas, it is a pity that we should haveaccomplished all acts that are external! Alas, that we should have,endued with the thirst for enjoyment, courted (the pleasures of)sovereignty before now! I have learnt this afterwards. There is nohappiness that is higher than Yoga.–Do thou know this, O Rama. Cease toslay the Kshatriyas. Do thou practise the austerest of penances. Thouwilt then attain to what is good.–Thus addressed by his grandsires,Jamadagni’s son practised the austerest penances, and having practisedthem, that highly blessed one attained to that success which is difficultto reach.'”