Translation of second extract from As tvakra

Gt (Ch. 1 vv. 7 12)

As tvakra
means eight curved. The story goes that one day when he was still in his
mothers womb he cried out in response to his fathers chanting of the Vedas. Father,
by your grace I have learned all the Vedas, even lying here in the womb, but your
recitation is not always correct! Whereupon his father cursed him with deformity. He
was subsequently born with a twisted spine from which he was later liberated.

7. You are the one seer of all and are really ever free. Verily this alone is your

bondage, that you see yourself not as the seer but as something other.

8. Do you, who have been bitten by the great black serpent of the egoism I am the

doer, drink the nectar of the faith I am not the doer, and be happy.

9. Burn down the forest of ignorance with the fire of the conviction I am the One, and

Pure Consciousness, and be free from grief and be happy.

10. You are that Consciousness, Bliss Supreme Bliss, in and upon which this

universe appears superimposed, like a snake on a rope. Live happily.

11. He who considers himself free is free indeed, and he who considers himself bound

remains bound. As one thinks, so one becomes is a popular saying in this world,

and it is quite true.

12. The Self is witness, all-pervading, perfect, One, free, Consciousness, actionless,

unattached, desireless, and quiet. Through illusion It appears as if It is of the world

(i.e. subject to the ever-repeating cycle of birth and death).