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252 the pure By reasonings such as these it may be determined that the Blessed Lord is the non-dual Self, a mass of 253 perfect being, consciousness, and bliss, existence 254 which is the substratum of all. For one who has so realized, the great non-attachment called Mastery arises toward the objects of waking experience, because he knows that they are as insignificant as the objects of a dream. This non-attachment is described in an aphorism of the revered Patanjali: "One who is devoid of desire for objects seen and objects heard of through scripture attains the non-attachment called Mastery" [Yoga Sutras 1.15].255 The fact that non-attachment has four stages, related as means and end, 256 is widely acknowledged in all

293 the scriptures. The first of these stages is characterized by the resolution, "I will most certainly remove the faults of my mind, even though it may require great effort." This is called the Non-attachment of Exertion. When the practice of the means is performed continually, one acquires constant attentiveness, like that of a doctor. This takes the form, "So many faults 257 are now eliminated and so many yet remain, " and is the second stage, called the Non-attachment of Discrimination. The third stage is attained by the Called regular and conscientious practice of the first two. the Non-attachment of the Single Sense, it is a state in which the external senses 258 have lost their inclination toward objects while the impressions of those objects yet remain in the mind. 259 After the practice of these three stages, there arises a mental attitude of desirelessness toward perceptible objects, such as attractive women, while they are being apprehended by the senses, and also toward objects heard of from scripture, such as heaven. This fourth state, produced by the practice of seeking out the defects in objects, 260 is the Non-attachment of Mastery [mentioned in Yoga Sutras 1.15 above]. Non-attachment is further divisible into two levels, a lower and a higher. The latter is described in an aphorism of Patanjali: "The higher is the lack of desire for the material qualities because of the realization of the

294 spirit" [Yoga Sutras 1.16].261 Realization of the spirit is the same as knowledge of the Self. The lack of desire for, or nonattachment to, the material qualities--i.e., the objects of sense such as sound and so on--that follows such realization is the higher, indeed the best, because it is the goal to be achieved. 262 The lower non-attachment [just described as having four stages] is that which comes before, and is the means to, this end. The sign of the lower level is the desire for liberation alone, without regard for any other end. Mucukunda 263 had this type of non-attachment: I wish for no boon, O Lord, other than the service of Thy feet, which is most desired by those who have renounced all possessions. Having worshiped Thee, O Hari, the dispenser of liberation, what discerning person would chose a boon leading to his own bondage? Therefore, O Lord, having completely cast off desires, from which there arises involvement with the material qualities--the luminous, the active, and the inert--I resort to Thee, who art free from the material qualities, the stainless, non-dual, pure intelligence, the Supreme Spirt. Long afflicted by my own wickedness, tormented by 264 regrets, having six insatiable enemies, I can in no way find peace. I have approached Thy lotus feet, O Giver of Refuge, O Supreme Self, which are the truth, free from fear and grief. Protect me, O Lord, who am so distressed. 10.51.56-58 In such a state, love for the Blessed Lord does not reach its highest limit. For this reason, the Lord says to him:

Living the life of a member of the warrior caste, you have slain living creatures in the hunt and by other means as well. Concentrating your mind and seeking refuge in Me, you should destroy this sin through austerity. In your next birth, O King, having become a noble Brahmin, the best friend of all creatures, you will attain Me, who am Brahman, at death. 10.51.63-64 295 It is this lower non-attachment that is described in the aphorism of Patanjali quoted above, namely: "One who is devoid of desire of objects seen and objects heard of through scripture attains the non-attachment called Mastery" [Yoga Sutras 1.15]. The supreme limit of love does not arise with this, nor is there at this time the state of complete fulfillment of all goals of life. This is because the highest degree of love, which is the cause of the state of complete fulfillment, cannot arise in the absence of the higher non-attachment. The sign of this higher non-attachment is the lack of regard for all goals including liberation. 265 illustrate: To I lead beyond death those who--having abandoned this world and the next, the body which wanders in both, as well as wealth, houses, and all else associated with that body in this world--worship only Me, the Omnipresent, with devotion directed toward no other. 3.25.39-40

296 Such people would not accept residence in My world, equality in power with Me, close proximity to Me, similarity in form with Me, or even oneness with Me were these being offered without the possibility of serving Me. 266 3.29.13 There are some who, delighting in the worship of My feet and exerting themselves in My service, do not desire oneness with Me. These devotees, gathering together, celebrate with each other My glorious exploits. 3.25.34 One whose mind is fixed on Me desires nothing except Me--not the status of Lord Brahma, the creator, nor the seat of the Great Indra, not lordship over the whole earth nor sovereignty in the nether world, neither yogic powers nor freedom from rebirth. 11.14.14 Says Prahlada: I am Thy devotee, but desire nothing, and Thou art my Master, but have no need of my service. In our relationship, there is no object to be attained, though it is otherwise for a worldly king and his servant. 7.10.6 And Prthu: 267 I shall never desire even that [liberation] in which is not found the nectar of Thy lotus feet flowing out through the lips of the supremely great [saints] from the depths of their hearts. Give me ten thousand ears; this is my wish. 268 4.20.24 Dhruva 269 also: The complete fulfillment which arises for embodied beings through meditation on Thy lotus feet or through hearing tales about Thy devotees, O Lord, is not found even in Brahman, in all its greatness. How much less

297 [could it be enjoyed] by those [gods or residents of heaven] who fall from celestial cars that are crushed by the sword of death? 270 4.9.10 The Queens: 271 We, O Righteous Lady, desire neither the sovereignty of the earth, lordship over heaven, nor [sensual] enjoyment; neither supernatural powers, the status of Lord Brahma, nor the eternal abode of Hari. We desire only to bear on our heads the dust of the radiant feet of the Mace-wielder, 272 which is rich with the fragrance of the saffron from the breasts of Srf. 273 10.83.41-42 And Indra: 274 Thy rightful share [of the sacrifice], O Supreme One, has been recovered by Thee while rescuing us. The lotus of the heart, Thy home, which was afflicted by demons, has blossomed. For those who are desirous of serving Thee, what is the value of this [world] which is devoured by Time? When even liberation is not highly regarded by them, O Man-lion, what might be the value of other goals? 7.8.42 For one who has devotion to the Lord Hari, the Master of the final beatitude, and is thus sporting in an ocean of nectar, what could be the use of insignificant ditch water? 6.12.22 Also Vrtra:275 Apart from Thee, O Excellent One, I do not desire the uppermost heaven, the status of Lord Brahma, sovereignty over the earth, or lordship in the netherworld. Nor do I want yogic powers or freedom from rebirth. 6.11.25

298 And the Vedas: 276 There are some, O Lord, who do not seek even liberation. Abandoning their homes to find association with the flocks of swans 277 that gather at Thy lotus feet, they are refreshed by swimming in the great ocean of nectar that is the tale of the deeds of Thee who have assumed bodily form for the sake of teaching the nature of the Self, so difficult to understand. 10.87.21 Many similar verses could be cited. When there is such a state of higher non-attachment characterized by a lack of regard for all goals including liberation, the love for the highest Self, the supreme bliss, reaches its utmost limit, because love for other ends does not arise. Thus Vrtra says: My mind longs for Thee, O Lotus-eyed One, as unfledged nestlings desire their mother, as young calves that are suffering from hunger seek milk, as a despondent lover pines for her absent beloved. 6.11.26