BOOK II

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THOSE WHO
DESIRE DELIVERANCE

CHAPTER I
The History of ShuJea

^Like Shuka's history is thine, 0 Prince !" said Vishva"
mitra. "Naught more remains for thee to know. Thou hast
thyself with thine own subtle mind found what there is to find.
Like a fine mirror it requires but burnishing alone to catch the
image of the Truth quite truly. Listen then to the helpfnl
story of Shuka. He was the bright son of the Rshi Vyasa,
now sitting here beside thy father. Long did Shuka, sacrifice
incarnate, ponder in his heart the mystery of this Samsara,1
this World-Process, and by himself determined that the world
was nothing more than mind. Imagination, active, makes it
live ; imagination, ceasing, makes it cease. The Self behind
the mind is the Supreme Omnipotent. Shuka saw this Truth,
but was not confident; only his mind stayed steadfastly away
from fleeting sense-enjoyments. Once he asked his father,
sitting in a silent region of the mountains : 'How does the
mirage of Samsara take its rise ; how ceases it ; and where
and when and whose is it ?' And Vyasa told him. But he
answered: (! myself thought this.' And still he gained not
confidence. Then Vyasa told him : 'Go to Janaka ; he knows.'
And Shuka went and was announced by the king's warders
to the king, saying the son of Vyasa waited at the gates.
Then Janaka, to try him, only said, 'Let be,' and thought no

1. 'That whJLoh is eyer moving,3 Sea p. S.