영혼의 절

한 여행자가 아쉬카리에게 물었다. "당신은 어떻게 우리 목적을 내다보았습니까?"

위대한 아쉬카리는 대답했다. "이야기를 하나 들려주지."

거대한 화강암 조각상이 바다를 가로막고 섬 위에 서 있다.
하늘은 이맛살을 찌푸린다. 그는 세계의 가장자리를 본다.
바다가 밀물 때마다 하늘의 발을 적신다.
하늘은 위를 본다. 빛과 어둠. 조수가 상승하여 대지를 집어삼키고, 다시 하강한다.
태양과 별은 차례로 바다로 떨어지고, 계속 다시 떠오른다.
조수가 오르고, 다시 떨어지지만, 바다는 변함이 없다.
투쟁이란 환상이다. 투쟁할 것은 아무것도 없다.
그 속임수는 더 깊이 흐른다. 거상이 바닷물의 썰물과 밀물에 저항하지만,
그것은 파도마다 조금씩 닳아간다.
거상은 지는 태양에 저항하지만, 태양을 바라보다 얼굴이 타고 말았다. 그것은 자신을 알지 못한다.
그것은 고집스럽게 지혜에 저항하고, 변형된다.
그대가 목적을 사랑한다면, 조수에 빠져라. 너를 데려가게 하라.
어둠을 두려워하지 말라. 태양과 별들이 너를 인도하기 위해 돌아올 것이다.
너는 위대한 왕들이 그들의 영광을 위해 기념비를 세우는 것을 보았다.
그들이 결국 무너지고 희미해지는 것도 보았다.
세상은 그들의 영광보다 얼마나 더 위대한가?
세계의 목적은 계절마다 새롭게 바뀐다.
모든 변화는 더 큰 전체 중 일부일 뿐이다.
바다와 하늘 그 자체.
특별할 것 없다. 오직 조각만이 있다.

—코슬룬의 서, 영혼의 절

 

A traveler asked the Ashkaari: "What was your vision of our purpose?"

 

The Great Ashkaari replied: "I'll tell you a story."

 

A vast granite statue stands on an island, holding back the sea.

The heavens crown its brow. It sees to the edge of the world.

The sea drowns its feet with every tide.

The heavens turn overhead, light and dark. The tide rises to devour the earth, and falls back.

The sun and the stars fall to the sea one by one in their turn, only to rise again.

The tide rises, the tide falls, but the sea is changeless.

Struggle is an illusion. There is nothing to struggle against.

The deception flows deeper. The statue resists the ebb and flow of the sea,

And is whittled away by each wave.

It protests the setting sun, and its face is burned looking upon it. It does not know itself.

Stubbornly, it resists wisdom, and is transformed.

If you love purpose, fall into the tide. Let it carry you.

Do not fear the dark. The sun and the stars will return to guide you.

You have seen the greatest kings build monuments to their glory

Only to have them crumble and fade.

How much greater is the world than their glory?

The purpose of the world renews itself with each season. Each change only marks

A part of the greater whole.

The sea and sky themselves:

Nothing special. Only pieces.

—Tome of Koslun, the Soul Canto