go to everlasting hell, who imputes falsehood to the
Vedas, the scriptures, the Brahmanas, the gods,
and the ceremonies in honour of the Pitris.
He also goeth to everlasting hell who though in possession
of wealth, never giveth away nor enjoyeth himself
from avarice, saying, he hath none.’ The
Yaksha asked,—’By what, O king, birth,
behaviour, study, or learning doth a person become
a Brahmana? Tell us with certitude!’ Yudhishthira
answered,—’Listen, O Yaksha!
It is neither birth, nor study, nor learning, that
is the cause of Brahmanahood, without doubt,
it is behaviour that constitutes it. One’s
behaviour should always be well-guarded, especially
by a Brahmana. He who maintaineth his conduct
unimpaired, is never impaired himself. Professors
and pupils, in fact, all who study the scriptures,
if addicted to wicked habits, are to be regarded as
illiterate wretches. He only is learned who performeth
his religious duties. He even that hath studied
the four Vedas is to be regarded as a wicked wretch
scarcely distinguishable from a Sudra (if his conduct
be not correct). He only who performeth the Agnihotra
and hath his senses under control, is called a Brahmana!’
The Yaksha asked,—’What doth one
gain that speaketh agreeable words? What doth
he gain that always acteth with judgment? What
doth he gain that hath many friends? And what
he, that is devoted to virtue?’ Yudhishthira
answered,—’He that speaketh agreeable
words becometh agreeable to all. He that acteth
with judgment obtaineth whatever he seeketh. He
that hath many friends liveth happily. And he
that is devoted to virtue obtaineth a happy state
(in the next world).’ The Yaksha asked,—’Who
is truly happy? What is most wonderful?
What is the path? And what is the
news? Answer these four questions of mine and
let thy dead brothers revive.’ Yudhishthira
answered,—’O amphibious creature,
a man who cooketh in his own house, on the fifth or
the sixth part of the day, with scanty vegetables,
but who is not in debt and who stirreth not from home,
is truly happy. Day after day countless creatures
are going to the abode of Yama, yet those that remain
behind believe themselves to be immortal. What
can be more wonderful than this? Argument leads
to no certain conclusion, the Srutis are different
from one another; there is not even one Rishi
whose opinion can be accepted by all; the truth about
religion and duty is hid in caves: therefore,
that alone is the path along which the great have
trod. This world full of ignorance is like a
pan. The sun is fire, the days and nights are
fuel. The months and the seasons constitute the
wooden ladle. Time is the cook that is cooking
all creatures in that pan (with such aids); this is
the news.’ The Yaksha asked,—’Thou
hast, O represser of foes, truly answered all my questions!
Tell us now who is truly a man, and what man truly
possesseth every kind of wealth.’ Yudhishthira