are always content.  The thirst of wealth can never be assuaged.  Contentment is the highest happiness; therefore, it is, that the wise regard contentment as the highest object of pursuit.  The wise knowing the instability of youth and beauty, of life and treasure-hoards, of prosperity and the company of the loved ones, never covet them.  Therefore, one should refrain from the acquisition of wealth, bearing the pain incident to it.  None that is rich is free from trouble, and it is for this that the virtuous applaud them that are free from the desire of wealth.  And as regards those that pursue wealth for purposes of virtue, it is better for them to refrain altogether from such pursuit, for, surely, it is better not to touch mire at all than to wash it off after having been besmeared with it.  And, O Yudhishthira, it behoveth thee not to covet anything!  And if thou wouldst have virtue, emancipate thyself from desire of worldly possessions!’

“Yudhishthira said, ’O Brahmana, this my desire of wealth is not for enjoying it when obtained.  It is only for the support of the Brahmanas that I desire it and not because I am actuated by avarice!  For what purpose, O Brahmana, doth one like us lead a domestic life, if he cannot cherish and support those that follow him?  All creatures are seen to divide the food (they procure) amongst those that depend on them.[1] So should a person leading a domestic life give a share of his food to Yatis and Brahmacharins that have renounced cooking for themselves.  The houses of the good men can never be in want of grass (for seat), space (for rest), water (to wash and assuage thirst), and fourthly, sweet words.  To the weary a bed,—­to one fatigued with standing, a seat,—­to the thirsty, water,—­and to the hungry, food should ever be given.  To a guest are due pleasant looks and a cheerful heart and sweet words.  The host, rising up, should advance towards the guest, offer him a seat, and duly worship him.  Even this is eternal morality.  They that perform not the Agnihotra,[2] do not wait upon bulls, nor cherish their kinsmen and guests and friends and sons and wives and servants, are consumed with sin for such neglect.  None should cook his food for himself alone and none should slay an animal without dedicating it to the gods, the pitris, and guests.  Nor should one eat of that food which hath not been duly dedicated to the gods and pitris.  By scattering food on the earth, morning and evening, for (the behoof of) dogs and Chandalas and birds, should a person perform the Viswedeva sacrifice.[3] He that eateth the Vighasa, is regarded as eating ambrosia.  What remaineth in a sacrifice after dedication to the gods and the pitris is regarded as ambrosia; and what remaineth after feeding the guest is called Vighasa and is equivalent to ambrosia itself.  Feeding a guest is equivalent to a sacrifice, and the pleasant looks the host casteth upon the guest, the attention he devoteth to him, the