XVIII. THE FOOLISHNESS OF SACRIFICE
Mind, why art thou so anxious? Utter Kālī's name, and sit in meditation. From all this pomp of worship the mind grows proud. Worship her in secret, that none may know. What is thy gain from images of metal, stone or earth? Fashion her image with the stuff of mind, and set it on the lotus-throne of your heart. Parched rice and plantains, ah! how vainly do you offer these! Feed her with the nectar of devotion, and satisfy your own mind. Why seek to illumine her with lamp and lantern and candle? Light the jewelled lamp of the mind, let it flash its lustre day and night. Why do you bring sheep and goats and buffaloes for sacrifice? Saying 'Victory to Kālī,' 'Victory to Kālī,' sacrifice the Six Passions.[96] [43] Prasād says: What need is there of drums and tomtoms? Saying, 'Victory to Kālī,' clap your hands and lay your mind at her Feet. Another famous song, of which variant texts exist. FOOTNOTES: [96] The Six Passions are— Kāma or Sexual Appetite, Krōdha or Anger, Lōbha or Covetousness, Mōha (literally, Stupefaction) or Lapse or Aberration due to Infatuation, Mada or Pride, Mātsarya or Envy. Cf. the Seven Deadly Sins of the Middle Ages. XIX. THE SOUL'S SLEEP OF DEATH Drowsy with desire, you wake not. Excellent is this bed of time[97] that you have found! Think you there will never be any dawn from this night of happiness? Desire sits in your lap like a harlot, and you will not turn from her. You have drawn the sheet of hope over your body; muffling up your face, you refuse to uncover. Winter and summer alike, you remain thus, and your filthy cloth you never send to the wash. You have drunk the wine of worldly possessions and the stupor of that wine holds you down. Day and night a drunkard, even in absent-mindedness, you do not utter Kālī's name. O you foolish Prasād, foolish beyond conception, even thus your sleep hunger is not appeased. In this your sleep the great sleep will come, when you will not wake,[98] though we call and call. Another famous song. FOOTNOTES: [97] Time, remember, means also Death. [98] The words mean more: when you will not awake to consciousness of any kind.
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