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BOOK I: THE PRINCIPLE OF KNOWLEDGE
259
becoming aware of any twofoldness (for no other way is possible!), then, having as highest authorities taught it thus to others desirous of liberation in present and future times, obtained supreme bliss, therefore that there is no other road to nirvana is ascertained. Enough now of loquacity! My thought is settled! Homage to the Holy Ones!
Now he explains the innate nature and the roles of infatuation, which way lays the attainment of the pure self:
83. An infatuated (mudha) state (bhava) of the soul with reference to substance, etc., is called moha (infatuation); covered (avachchanna) with this, the soul is agitated, having acquired attachment or aversion.
That infatuated state of the soul, as of one intoxicated with drink, a state characterized by not understanding the truth about substances, qualities and modifications, as described (in gatha 80), is called infatuation. The self which has its self form covered with this, conceiving the other "strange" substance as if it were the substance of self, the quality of other substance as if a quality of self, the modifications of other substance as if states of self; taking hold (upadana) day after day of the other strange substance, since the psychical impression of this is full-grown and stronger; proceeding in duality (the opposed feelings of pleasure and pain), when there is really non-duality, in consequence of the preferences (ruchi) of the execrable organs of sense; embracing attachment and aversion with reference to agreeable (ruchita) and disagreeable things; splitting into two like a dam, beaten against by the rush of swollen water-masses—thus it becomes entirely subject to unrest (kshobha). (in gatha 7). Therefore this infatuation possesses three roles (bhumika) of infatuation, attachment and aversion.
Now, designating infatuation a cause of undesirable consequences, he expounds its annihilation in all its three roles:
84. Manifold bondage takes place for the soul which is evolved through infatuation, attachment and aversion; therefore these must be destroyed.
For him (whose mental-eyes are) closed in non-apprehension of the truth and who evolves through infatuation (a) or attachment, (6) or aversion, (c) as for an elephant who either has got into a trap covered by a layer of leaves (i) or who has become attached, (ii) to the body of a harlot of a female elephant, or who is enraged and violent28, (iii) at the sight of a hostile elephant-there is manifold
