A clear vision of the Reality may be obtained only through our own eyes, when they have been opened by spiritual insight—never through the eyes of some other seer. Through our own eyes we learn what the moon looks like: how could we learn this through the eyes of others? ~P[p48] (c54)
The flowing together of many words is like a great forest which causes the mind to wander confused. Therefore, those who know this Truth should earnestly endeavor to know the true nature of the Self. ~G62 (c60)
A buried treasure is not uncovered by merely uttering the words "come forth". You must follow the right directions, dig, remove the stones and earth from above it, and then make it your own. In the same way, the pure truth of the Atman, which is buried under Maya and the effects of Maya, can be reached by meditation, contemplation and other spiritual disciplines such as a knower of Brahman may prescribe—but never by subtle arguments. ~P[p50] (c65)
The first step in the means to liberation is declared to be a complete absence of desire for all things impermanent. Then comes tranquility, self-control, forbearance, and the complete relinquishment of all desire-prompted actions. // Then one must hear the Truth, reflect upon it, and finally, as a wise one does, meditate long upon it constantly, continuously, uninterruptedly. Thus, the learned one attains the supreme state in which there is no subject-object dichotomy and experiences the bliss of liberation in this very life. ~G71-2 (c69-70)
Whomsoever gives up what should continuously and always be pursued, namely, freedom from bondage born of beginningless ignorance, and instead passionately seeks to gratify one’s body which is an 'other'-object, destroys oneself. ~G-85 (c-83)
The mental organ identifies itself with the organs of perception and of action, as well as with the physical body. Thus the sense of individuality arises, which causes a man to live and to act. His consciousness is a reflection of the infinite consciousness of the Atman. // He who believes himself to be acting or experiencing is known as the ego, the individual man. Identifying himself with the gunas, he experiences the three states of consciousness-waking, dreaming and dreamless sleep. // When the objects of experience are pleasant, he is happy. When they are unpleasant, he is unhappy. Pleasure and pain are characteristics of the individual-not of the Atman, which is forever blissful. ~P[p58] (c-103-5)
Translators:
C (Chinmayananda)
G (John Grimes)
P (Parabhavananda / Isherwood)
*Note on numbering: Chinmayananda's numbering is used in parentheses on other translation verses for a common framework. Grimes numbering varies from Chinmayananda. There are no numbers on Parabhavananda's verses so I've used the page numbering used on this version: Copyright, 1947, 1970 by Vedanta Society of Southern California; Second Edition, with added material, 1971.
