O Rama*, listen to what I am about to say; this instruction is sure to remove the darkness of ignorance.
In this world whatever is gained is gained only by self- effort; where failure is encountered it is seen that there has been slackness in the effort. This is obvious; but what
is called fate is fictitious and is not seen.
Self-effort, Rama*, is that mental, verbal and physical action which is in accordance with the instructions of a holy person well versed in the scriptures. It is only by such effort that Indra became king of heaven, that Brahma* became the creator, and the other deities earned their place.
Self-effort is of two categories: that of past births and that of this birth. The latter effectively counteracts the former. Fate is none other than self-effort of a past incarnation. There is constant conflict between these two in this incarnation; and that which is more powerful triumphs.
Self-effort which is not in accord with the scriptures is motivated by delusion. When there is obstruction in the fruition of self-effort one should examine it to see if there
is such deluded action, and if there is it should be immediately corrected. There is no power greater than right action in the present. Hence, one should take recourse
to self- effort, grinding one's teeth, and one should
overcome evil by good and fate by present effort.
The lazy man is worse than a donkey. One should never yield to laziness but strive to attain liberation, seeing that life is ebbing away every moment. One should not revel in the filth known as sense-pleasures as a worm revels in pus.
One who says "Fate is directing me to do this" is brainless, and the goddess of fortune abandons him. Hence, by self- effort acquire wisdom and then realise that this
self- effort is not without its own end, in the direct realisation of the truth.
If this dreadful source of evil named laziness is not found on earth, who will ever be illiterate and poor? It is because laziness is found on earth that people live tire life
of animals, miserable and poverty-stricken.
