The Changeless Nature

114 The Changeless Nature269 Of these powers and so on, six, three and one,have completely dispelled, respectively,cognitive, meditative balance and thoseaccompanied by their latent conditioning.270 Thus they have pierced, destroyed and felledthe armour-like, wall-like and tree-like.Being firm, resistant, steadfast and invulnerable,these powers of the sages are vajra-like.271 Why firm? because they are resistant.Why resistant? because they are steadfast.Why steadfast? because they are invulnerableSince they are invulnerable they are like a vajra.272 Being fearless, unconcerned and stable,and since his skill is supreme, the lion of men,the one triumphant, is likened to a lion —fearless in the midst of any gathering.273 Having definite knowledge of everything,he stays absolutely fearless of anyone.Since he clearly sees that even purified beingsare not his peer, he remains uninfluenced.274 Since his noble mind is constantly attentiveto each and every phenomenon, he has stability.Having transcended the state of latent ignorance,exceedingly difficult, he possesses skilful mastery.275 Worldlings, sravakas, those one sided,the wise and that which spontaneously arises —their understandings being progressively subtler,can be exemplified through elements five.