14.026
The brāhmaṇa said.
There is but one ruler, no second ruler exists; as I am appointed, so I act. The person standing in the heart rules as the ruler; joined with him, (others act) just as water flows from a slope. (14-26-1)
There is not merely one teacher; therefore, there is a second—desire in the heart, whom I call (my teacher). By always following the instruction of that teacher, all the Dānavas have indeed been defeated. (14-26-2)
There is only one relative; there is not a second. He is the desire in the heart, whom I declare. Instructed by him, the kinsmen having relatives—the seven sages—shine in heaven. (14-26-3)
If there is not a single listener, then there must be a second; I speak to the one whose desire lies in the heart. Having resided with the teacher, Śakra attained immortality among all the worlds. (14-26-4)
There is no single hater; the second is the desire in the heart, whom I declare. By him, instructed always by the teacher, serpents are indeed always hated by people—all of them. (14-26-5)
Here too, they cite this ancient story regarding the meeting of Prajāpati, the serpents, and the divine sages. (14-26-6)
The divine sages, nagas, and asuras, having seated before Prajapati, asked him: "May you tell us what is the highest good for us." (14-26-7)
To them, the venerable one declared the highest good to those who were respectfully inquiring. Hearing the single-syllable Brahman, "Om," they ran off in all directions. (14-26-8)
As they were fleeing, for the sake of his own instruction, the nature of serpents to bite had already indeed arisen previously. (14-26-9)
For demons, hypocrisy and pride arise from their very nature; the gods are devoted to charity; but the great sages value only self-restraint. (14-26-10)
All the serpents, divine sages, and Danavas, having approached one teacher and been instructed by a single word, are variously engaged. (14-26-11)
He listens as this is spoken and comprehends it as it is; when he inquires further, to that extent, another teacher approves. (14-26-12)
Action proceeds afterwards by his consent. The teacher, the knower, the enemy, and the hater all reside in the heart. (14-26-13)
One who moves about the world with evil becomes a sinner; one who moves about with virtue becomes virtuous. (14-26-14)
But one who acts at the behest of desire and delights in sense pleasures is a follower of desire; whereas he who is ever devoted to mastery over the senses is a true follower of vows. (14-26-15)
He who has given up prescribed ritual actions but has only taken refuge in Brahman, having become one with Brahman, moves in the world as a brahmacārin. (14-26-16)
For him, Brahman itself is the fuel; Brahman is the fire, Brahman is the sacred seat; the waters are Brahman, the teacher is Brahman—he is fully absorbed in Brahman. (14-26-17)
The wise understood such subtle brahmacarya as this; having known it, those who see as the knower of the field did, also followed it. (14-26-18)
