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VEDANTA-SUTRAS.
reason for bondage that the going of the wise man's soul to the moon in no way precludes his reaching Brahman. Bhishma and others who through the power of Yoga were able to choose the time of their death put it off until the beginning of the northern progress in order to proclaim before the world the excellence of that season and thus to promote pious faith and practice.-But we also meet with an authoritative statement made with reference to wise men about to die, as to difference of time of death being the cause of a man either returning or not returning to this world, 'I will declare at which time the Yogins departing return not, and also the time at which they return. The fire, the light, the day, the bright fortnight, the six months of the sun's northern progress-the knowers of Brahman departing there go to Brahman. The smoke, the night, the dark fortnight, the six months of the southern progress the Yogin departing there having reached the light of the moon returns again. These are held to be the perpetual paths of the world-the white and the black; by the one man goes not to return, by the other he returns again' (Bha. Gî. VIII, 23-26).—To this point the next Sûtra refers.
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20. And those two (paths) are, with a view to the Yogins, mentioned as to be remembered.
The text quoted does not state an injunction for those about to die, of a special time of death; but there are rather mentioned in it those two matters belonging to Smriti and therefore to be remembered, viz. the two paths -the path of the Gods and the path of the Fatherswith a view to those who know and practise Yoga; the text intimating that Yogins should daily think of those paths which are included in Yoga meditation. In agreement herewith the text concludes, 'Knowing these two paths no Yogin is ever deluded. Hence in all times, O Arguna, be engaged in Yoga' (Bha. Gi. VIII, 27). Through the terms the fire, the light,' 'the smoke, the night,' &c. the path of the Gods and the path of the Fathers are recognised. Where, in the beginning, the text refers to
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