100 Verses of Peace
(Vedic text excerpts from the "Astavakra Samhita")
Words found in the   illuminated manuscript  "Unbound Prayers", by artist Carolyn Goodridge

51. All the modifications of the mind are destroyed when
a man realizes that he himself is neither the doer nor the enjoyer.

52. The conduct of the wise one, which is unrestricted
by motive, shines, being free from pretence;
but not the affected calmness of the deluded person
whose mind is attached.

53. The wise who are free from mental projections,
unbound, and of unfettered intellect, sometimes sport
in the midst of great enjoyments, and sometimes
retire into mountain caves.

54.  No desire whatsoever springs in the heart of the wise one
on honoring a man versed in sacred learning,
a god, or a holy place, or on seeing a man, a king, or a beloved one.

55.  The yogin is not at all perturbed even when ridiculed
and despised by her servants, sons, husbands,
daughter's sons, and other relations.

56.  Though pleased she is not pleased, though pained
she does not suffer any pain. Only those
who are like her understand her wonderful state.

57.  The sense of duty, indeed, is the world of relativity.
It is transcended by the wise one who realizes herself
as all-pervasive, formless, immutable, and untainted.

58.  One of dull intellect, even without doing anything,
is ever agitated by distraction; but the skillful one,
even doing her duties, is verily unperturbed.

59.  With perfect equanimity, even in practical life,
the wise one sits happily, sleeps happily,
moves happily, speaks happily, and eats happily.

60.  Whoever, by virtue of the realization of her own self,
does not feel distressed even in practical life like
ordinary people, and remains unagitated
like a vast lake, with all her sorrows gone -- she shines.
the yogin whose life's object has been fulfilled and
who is the embodiment of guileless sincerity?

Also See Verses:
1-10 | 11-20 | 21-30 |  31-40 | 41-50  |  61-70  | 71-80 | 81-90 | 91-100