12.246
Vyāsa said.
Within the heart, the variegated tree of desire, born from the accumulation of delusion, has the great trunk of anger and pride; liberation comes through the desire to know.
His ignorance is supported by negligence and is like a sprinkling. He, being envious and barren, was formerly full of the essence of evil deeds.
A terrible tree of delusion and anxiety, with branches of sorrow, is enveloped by enchanting and thirstful creepers.
The very greedy, wishing for fruit, approach that great tree, making efforts, controlling themselves, and with ropes, surround the fruits.
He who, having brought those bonds under control, pulls away that tree; he, striving, has reached the end of both sufferings.
A person lacking discernment may heal a tree through affliction, but then destroys it, just as poison consumed destroys the sick.
The root of latent impressions is forcefully uprooted by one who acts with renunciation, vigilance, equanimity, and the supreme sword.
Thus, whoever understands that desire is merely torment and that the destruction of the science of desire leads to overcoming suffering, he transcends all sorrows.
The body is described as a city, with the intellect as its mistress. Within the intellect, the mind, which dwells in the body, is known as that which contemplates objects.
The senses, people, and citizens exist for that purpose, but supreme is action. There, two harsh faults are found: one called darkness, and likewise, passion.
That very purpose for which the citizens and city-lords subsist, if pursued by improper means, becomes the source of two faults.
There, the intellect is indeed hard to overcome; the mind is said to be similar. The citizens, too, with their minds frightened, have an unsteady state.
That object upon which the intellect is established does not perish; but that which the mind is established upon separately, that perishes.
When, by the intellect, the mind becomes distinct and alone, then in that manifest void, only passion remains.
The mind forms friendship in association with passion; having taken that person, the citizen delivers him to passion.
