Ch 13

13: Happiness

Janaka said: 

The tranquil state 

of knowing Self alone is rare 

even among those who own but a loincloth. 

I therefore neither renounce nor accept 

and am happy. 

The body is strained by practices. 

The tongue tires of scripture. 

The mind numbs with meditation. 

Detached from all this, 

I live as I am. 

Realizing that nothing is done, 

I do what comes 

and am happy. 

Yogis who preach 

either effort or non-effort 

are still attached to the body. 

I neither dissociate nor associate 

with any of that 

and am happy. 

I have nothing to gain or lose 

by standing, walking or sitting down. 

So whether I stand, walk or sit 

I am happy. 

I do not lose by sleeping 

nor attain by effort. 

Not thinking in terms of loss or gain 

I am happy. 

Pleasure and pain fluctuate 

and are inconsistent. 

Without good or bad 

I live happily.