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IV, 16.
BIMBISÂRA RÂGA BECOMES A DISCIPLE.
191
and seeing this there is deliverance. The world holds to this thought of “I," and so, from this, comes false apprehension. 1364
Of those who maintain the truth of it, some say the “I” endures, some say it perishes; taking the two extremes of birth and death, their error is most grievous! 1365
For if they say the “I” (soul) is perishable, the fruit they strive for, too, will perish; and at some time there will be no hereafter, this is indeed a meritless deliverance. 1366
But if they say the “I” is not to perish, then in the midst of all this life and death there is but one identity (as space), which is not born and does not die. 1367
If this is what they call the “I," then are all things living, one-for all have this unchanging self — not perfected by any deeds, but selfperfect; 1368
If so, if such a self it is that acts, let there be no self-mortifying conduct, the self is lord and master; what need to do that which is done ? 1369
'For if this “I” is lasting and imperishable, then reason would teach it never can be changed. But now we see the marks of joy and sorrow, what room for constancy then is here ? 1370
Knowing that birth brings this deliverance then I put away all thought of sin's defilement; the whole world, everything, endures ! what then becomes of this idea of rescue. 1371
We cannot even talk of putting self away, truth is the same as falsehood, it is not "I" that do a thing, and who, forsooth, is he that talks of “I?” 1372
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