Sloka 30, Ulladu Narpadu - Part II / Ramana Maharshi / Indian Philosophy

English Translations:

1.     Truth  Revealed  / Grant Duff Like those listening to a story with the mind abandoned (to roam) elsewhere, the (Jnani’s) mind devoid of any latencies, though (apparently) in action, is not really engaged in any act. The (ajnani’s) mind immersed in vasanas (or latencies), though (apparently)  not acting, is in effect an actor (even like)  a person (who) in a dream having climbed a hill (while actally his body is) motionless here (in the bed) falls over a precipice.

2.    The Forty on Existence Sadhu Arunachala (Major A.W.Chadwick)

As a completely absent-minded man Appears to listen to a story told, So the curbed mind is amidst all work. Whereas the mind soaked in attachments toils Though not engaged in work, as one who sleeps, Dreams that he climbs a hill and tumbles down.

3.    Revelation / K. Lakshmana Sarma Just as a man, whose mind has wandered far while listening to a story, does not really hear, so the Sage who acts without mental taint does not become a doer (by doing actions); (on the other hand) if the mind is imbued with abundance of (worldly) taints, then that man is a doer of actions even when he is (outwardly) inactive; see, a dreamer falls from a hill-top into an abyss even while his body lies moveless (in bed)!

Synopsis / Grant Duff. Apparently active, the Jnani is not engaged in any act. Apparently inactive, the ajnani is really an actor.

Collected from the books published by Ramanashramam. mP: 4-2--14