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Válmiki
Yoga-Vāsistha, Book 6: Nirvāna-Prakarana (On ultimate extinction). Chapter 40 - Inquiry into the nature-of the Deity
The God continued- It is of no consequence, weather the spiritualist observe formal adoration in its proper time and manner or not; it is enough if he adore śiva in his form of the intellect within himself, which is equivalent to the worship of the atma or soul. 1
This is attended with a delight, which becomes manifest within himself; and thus full of spiritual light and delight, the devotee is assimilated to and self same with his god. 2
The meanings of the words affection and hatred, do not belong to the holy soul as separate properties of it; but they blend together and die in it as sparks in fire.
The knowledge that the dignity and poverty of men, as also the happiness and misery of one's self or other proceed from god, is deemed as the worship of the supreme spirit, which ordains them all. 3
The consciousness of the world as manifestation of the Divine spirit, is reckoned as his devotion also, as a pot or other taken for the spirit of god, owing to its residence in it, form his worship also.
The quiet and lightless spirit of śiva, being manifest in his works of creation, the whole sensible word is believed to be the form of the supreme spirit.
It is astonishing that every soul should forget its own nature, and think itself as a living soul residing in the body, as they believe the supreme soul to be confined in a pot or painting.
It is astonishing also, how they should attribute false ideas of worship, worshipper and the worshipped to the god śiva, who is the infinite soul of all and a pure spirit.
The ritual of worship and adoration, which applies to the finite forms of gods 4; cannot be applied to the worship- bf the infinite spirit of god.
The pure spirit of the eternal, infinite and all powerful, cannot be the object of ritualistic worship, which relates to finite gods or idols.
Know, O Brāhman! that the spirit of god, which pervades the three worlds, and is of the nature of pure intellect, is not to be circumscribed by any form or figure. 5
Know, O wisest of the wise! that those that have their god, as circumscribed by time and place 6, are not regarded by us among the wise.
Therefore, O sage! retract your sight from idols and idolatrous worship, and adopt your view to spiritual adoration; and be of an even, cool and clear mind, be dispassionate and freed from decay and disease.
Do you continue to worship the supreme spirit with an unshaken mind, by making him offerings of your desires, and all the good and evil that occur to you at any time. 7
O sage, that are acquainted with the sole unity, in the one uniform tenor of your soul and mind, you are thereby set above the reach of the miseries attending his frail life, as the pure crystal is clear of the shade and dross of all worldly things.
Footnotes
1. Worshipping the spirit in spirit
2. This is the state of ecstasy, in which the adept loses himself in his god
3. The gloss explains, that the attribution of all accidents of life to god, in his adoration also, as it is done by the offering of flowers unto him
4. their idols
5. As that of an idol or any natural object
6. represented as limited and finite beings
7. submit to the dispensations of Providence
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