The Secret of Tripura (1925) - Page 23

Without knowing what he said, whatever I do,

It appears entirely like the play of a child. 16

Formerly, I performed many sacrifices with abundant offerings,

And worshipped the gods, led by Shakra Indra, with vast quantities of food. 17

I heard from the mouth of Samvarta that the fruit of that is small.

I consider that small fruit to be entirely suffering. 18

What is not happiness is not necessarily suffering; small happiness is considered suffering,

Because after the passing of happiness, suffering becomes even greater. 19

It is not just this; there is no greater grandeur than this,

Since the encounter with death, which occurs again and again, never ceases. 20

In the same way, my worship of Tripura is performed;

Because it is all mental, it appears to me like the play of a child. 21

If it is asked, "Do only that worship," he says "Without knowing." 15. He says that all worship or other actions performed without that knowledge are in vain. 16. If one objects that actions are not in vain because they produce results, he says "Formerly." "Offerings" refers to the abundance of dakshina ritual fees/gifts. 17. "Small fruit." The idea is that if such excellent actions have small results, what of others? Even if there is a small result, there is not a total lack of fruit; however, he considers the small fruit to be of the nature of suffering because it is rooted in suffering. 18. He clarifies this: "Not happiness." The reason for that is "because." 19. If one asks, "Why seek knowledge when one can obtain a stream of small happiness through the performance of actions," he says, "It is not just this." He points out the fear: "The encounter with death." The idea is that being swallowed by death is inescapable through actions. 20. If one objects that actions are of this nature, but worship of the Supreme Deity is not, he suggests that worship is also...