Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol. 5

[1]

The trepidating restless stuff of the mind is hard to guard, hard to control. The intelligent man straightens it even as an arrow­ maker straightens an arrow.

[2]

Born of water, the fish strains and struggles when thrown on land from out of its watery dwelling, even so does the mind­ stuff when freed from the dominion of Mara.

[3]

Hard to master, unstable, wayward is the mind-stuff. It is good to be able to control it. A controlled mind-stuff brings happiness.

[4]

Hard to grasp, extremely clever, moving as it pleases, the

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mind-stuff is to be kept under control. A well-guarded mind­ stuff brings happiness.

[5]

It wanders far, it wanders alone, it has no body, it dwells in the cavern of the heart. He who brings it under control, is liberated from the bondages of Mara.

[6]

One who has an unsteady mind, one who knows not the true Law, whose clarity is overwhelmed can never have this wisdom perfected.

[7]

One whose thoughts are never dissipated, whose mind is never perplexed, who has gone beyond good and evil, one who is thus wakeful has nothing to fear.

[8]

Know this body to be a mere earthen pot. Establish this mind like a city. And with knowledge as your weapon fight with Mara; guard preciously what you have conquered.

[9]

Lo, this body before long will lie prostrate on the ground, even as a valueless, senseless, useless piece of log.

[10]

Whatever a hater may do to a hater, whatever an enemy may do to an enemy, more evil is done by a misdirected mind.

[11]

Neither the father nor the mother nor any other relative can do as much good as a well-directed mind does.

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