1. Now, I shall explain about how to listen. The listener is asked to pay attention and concentrate the mind on what is being said.
2. There is one type of speech where the contentment that one has gets disturbed and one's conviction is suddenly spoiled.
3. Give up that speech which is untrue and illusory in nature, as it is empty and not capable of providing firm resolution leading to conviction.
4. By reading one book conviction is gained only to be erased by reading another book. In this way, doubts are created throughout one's whole life.
5. One should only listen to the spiritual books on non-duality (advaita) where doubts are cleared away and objections are removed.
6. One who is intent on liberation holds to the path of spirituality, and develops within an affection for the texts on non-duality.
7. One who has given up interest in this world and aspires for spiritual realization uses the scriptures on non-duality to help him see using the power of discrimination.
8. For the one who is interested in non-duality, his mind gets agitated when dualistic teachings are put in front of him.
9. If one receives according to what one likes, one feels happy, otherwise the mind gets bored upon hearing.
10. One feels affection for the particular type of spiritual practice that one does, and it does not feel agreeable when something else is being described.
11. The sign of love is that it arises effortlessly and runs downstream on its own like water.
12. Similarly, the person with Self-Knowledge does not care for anything else. This is where the investigation into Essence and non-essence is required.
13. For one whom the family goddess is Bhagavati, there should be discussion on the text of Saptashati (a book of 700 verses in praise of Bhagavati). The praising of other gods is not interesting to that person.
14. For one who is involved only in ritualistic worship there is no interest in the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, and for sages there is no expectation of fruits of their actions.
15. Just as a bracelet is not worn like a nose ring, everything should be in its proper place, otherwise it is of no use at all.
16. The greatness of many deities is described in many texts. These descriptions are respected when they are read in their appropriate places, otherwise it seems awkward.
17. If a text describing the greatness of the god Malhari is read at Dwarka, or if the greatness of Dwarka is praised at Kashi, or the greatness of Kashi is praised to Lord Venkatesha46, these are examples of things not being in their proper place.
18. There are so many examples like this of how things are fitting in their proper place. Similarly, it is only the Knowledgeable (Jnanis) who have a fondness for non-dual texts.
19. If magical tricks are performed in front of yogis, or a common stone is brought before a jeweler, or rustic ballads are performed in front of a scholar, it is not appropriate.
20. It is like a hermit being made to sit in front of one performing rituals, or describing the fruits of action in front of one who is desireless, or reading a text book about sexual positions to one who is Self-realized.
21. It is like an erotic dancer brought before one who has taken a vow of celibacy, or the description of Lord Krishna and the gopis (cowherd girls) making love during an explanation of spirituality, or bringing plain water before the Royal Swan which drinks only milk.
22. In the same way, it is not appropriate if a book about romance is brought before those who are spiritually inclined. How can they feel content with such a book?
23. It is improper that a king would be attracted to the possessions of a pauper, that buttermilk would be praised as nectar, or that the power of a ghost is described to a renunciate (sanyasin).
24. If someone who is involved in performing rituals is given advice about hypnotism or is given some explanations about how to deal with ghosts, he will naturally lose interest.
25. In the same way, those who are on the path of spirituality will not be satisfied reading books which do not deal with the topic of Self-Knowledge.
26. Now, enough talk about this topic, one who is concerned with his own self-interest always thinks about the teaching that is contained in the texts on non-duality.
27. One who is intent upon gaining Self-Knowledge should focus the mind on the principles of non-duality in an secluded quiet place. This will bring contentment.
28. Looking from many different points of view it can be seen that there are no other books comparable to a book on non-duality. Such a book is like a boat taking one beyond worldly life, to Supreme Meaning.
29. Other books which deal with worldly affairs such as humor and things that make one laugh, or that evoke other emotions are not useful on the spiritual path.
30. A book that is considered great is one by which spirituality is increased, changes take place within, and which inspires a fondness for devotional practices.
31. Upon listening to what is contained in such a book, pride falls away, doubt is dispelled, and the mind suddenly turns toward God.
32. A book which inspires one to give up one's vices, and by listening to its contents it helps one to avoid downfall, is considered a great text.
33. A text which helps one build courage, which inspires benevolence towards others, and which helps to snap the desire for sensual gratification is considered a great text.
34. A book which provides a means to cross over mundane worldly life, by which one gains Knowledge, and which helps one to be free from worldly entanglements, is truly considered a great text.
35. There are many books that make promises of some results, but if such a book does not give rise to detachment and devotion it cannot be considered a great book.
36. A book which does not show the path to liberation, but only speaks about the fruits of actions, is merely a book that offers insatiable hopes which only keep increasing.
37. Upon listening to a book which only instills more desires, one loses sight of the power of discrimination and is haunted by the ghosts of insatiable hopes which bring about a downfall.
38. When listening to the promise of some future results, one says, "At least I will reap the fruits in the next life," and in this way, experiences certain downfall.
39. Many fruits are eaten by many birds and they get satisfied, but the chakor bird longs only for for the nectar of moonlight.
40. In the same way, the family man only seeks to fulfill the desires of his family, while the one who is committed to God only longs for God.
41. The Jnani only wants Knowledge, the devotee only wants devotion, and the spiritual aspirant only wants spiritual practices according to his liking.
42. A spiritual aspirant wants spirituality, a selfish person only wants what is in his own self-interest, and a miser only has a desire for money in his heart.
43. The yogis want yoga, pleasure seekers only want pleasures, and sick people want medicine that cures their disease.
44. The poets wants poetry, the logical people want logic, and devotees feel that only discussion about God is enjoyable.
45. Scholars want scholastic knowledge, students want to study, and artists want various forms of art.
46. Servants of God want to sing the praises of God, one who is desirous of purity wants to perform rituals, and those who adhere to particular rituals only want to perform those rituals.
47. A loving person wants compassion, a shrewd person want alertness, and a wise person respects cleverness.
48. A devotee likes to see the form of an idol, the common musician likes the knowledge of rhythms, while the classical musician likes the study of various moods and compositions.
49. Students of hatha yoga want knowledge of the body, the philosopher wants to know various systems of philosophy, and practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine wants the knowledge of the pulse rate and the properties of various herbs.
50. The person with sexual desires wants books about sex, a person who is interested in black magic wants mantras for casting spells, and a mechanical engineer has a keen interest in machines and technical information.
51. The mischievous one likes making fun of others, a person who is undisciplined has many habits, and an ignorant person is prone to making many mistakes.
52. A foolish person gets caught up in musical sounds, a critic always looks for an opportunity to find the shortcomings of others, and one who is prone to wrongful deeds is constantly looking to see if others are committing similar kinds of deeds.
53. Some people want to hear interesting stories, some want lengthy anecdotes, while some want only simple pious devotion.
54. One who knows the Vedas wants to see the Vedas, one who is courageous wants to see war, and some want to know about many religions according to their liking.
55. One who is liberated wants to see liberation in action, one who is interested in everything wants to see all varieties of things, and an astrologer wants to give prophecies.
56. How many examples of things like this can be given? People only like to read various books and listen to things according to their likes and dislikes.
57. However, when there is no discussion about the spiritual practice used to gain the Knowledge of Brahman, this cannot be called true listening, or shravana. Where there is no Self-Knowledge, such discussions are but mere amusement.
58. Just as something cannot be called sweet that is not sweet, or someone without a nose cannot be called beautiful, explanations about spirituality are useless if one does not have Self-Knowledge.
59. Now, let this be enough of this talk. Listen to what is contained in the spiritual texts. Without spiritual texts, life goes in vain and is frivolous.
60. Therefore, one should only listen to the spiritual texts which speak about the inquiry into that what is permanent and what is temporary, and what is Essence and what is non-essential. Only such a text will help one to cross over the mundane worldly life by telling how to use the power of discrimination.