Mbh 12.174.8

Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"'"Pingala said, 'Alas, I have for many long years lived, all the while overcome by frenzy, by the side of that Dear Self in whom there is nothing but tranquillity. Death has been at my door. Before this, I did not, however approach that Essence of Purity. I shall cover this house of one column and nine doors (by means of true Knowledge).[510] What woman is there that regards that Supreme Soul as her dear lord, even when He comes near?[511] I am now awake. I have been roused from the sleep of ignorance. I am no longer influenced by desire. Human lovers, who are really the embodied forms of hell, shall no longer deceive me by approaching me lustfully. Evil produces good through the destiny or the acts of a former life. Roused (from the sleep of ignorance), I have cast off all desire for worldly objects. I have acquired a complete mastery over my senses. One freed from desire and hope sleeps in felicity. Freedom from every hope and desire is felicity. Having driven off desire and hope, Pingala sleeps in felicity.'"

Mbh 12.174.8 · Mahabharata · SANTI PARVA

Themes in this passage

Desire Hope Death The Divine Peace The Soul Wisdom

Desire in other traditions

The same theme, as Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Islam address it.

From lust comes grief, from lust comes fear; he who is free from lust knows neither grief nor fear.

Dhp 16.214 · Dhammapada · Pleasure

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Philippians 4:17 · Bible · Philippians

If this transformation became to me an object of desire, I would express the desire by the nameless simplicity. Simplicity without a name Is free from all external aim. With no desire, at rest and still, All things go right as of their will. PART II.

Tao Te Ching 37.3 · Tao Te Ching

And He it is Who hath appointed night and day in succession, for him who desireth to remember, or desireth thankfulness.

Quran 25:62 · Quran · The Criterion

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