278 The Religion of the Veda
the other, smell, hear, address, understand, recognise the other. “ But if one has himself become Alienate (that is, “ Self ") by means of what and whom should he then see? By means of what and Whom should he then smell, hear, address, understand, recognise P ” In brief and dry language, being himself the subject,
and there being no object, there is no cognition nor .
consciousness.
Emerson’s keen and terse poem on the Brahma in which the Brahma itself speaks, approaches this idea of absolute unity. But the chilly sombre theme is made warm and glowing in these lines which may be counted among the best in the English language:
If the red slayer think he slays, Or if the slain think he is slain, They know not well the subtle ways I keep, and pass, and turn again.
Far and forgot to me is near,
Shadow and sunlight are the same, The vanished gods to me appear,
And one to me are shame‘and fame.
They reckon ill who leave me out ; When me they fly I am the wings ; I am the doubter and the doubt. And I the hymn the Brahmin sings.
The strong gods pine for my abode
And pine in vain, the Sacred Seven ; But thou meek lover of the good 1
Find me, and turn thy back on heaven.
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