and well of himself. No example, however, can
be met with, in this world, of a person shining brilliantly
on account of attributes to be found in him in their
reputed measure. If one repenteth of a wrong
done by him, that repentance washeth off his sin.
The resolution of never doing it again saveth him
from future sin, even as, O thou best of Brahmanas,
he may save himself from sin by any of those expiations
obtained in the scriptures. Even this, O regenerate
one, is the sruti that may be seen in respect of virtue.
He that having before been virtuous, committeth a
sin, or committeth it unknowingly may destroy that
sin. For virtue, O Brahmana, driveth off the sin
that men commit from ignorance. A man, after
having committed a sin, should cease to regard himself
any longer as a man. No man can conceal his sins.
The gods behold what one does, also the Being that
is within every one. He that with piety and without
detraction hideth the faults of the honest and the
wise like holes in his own attire, surely seeketh
his salvation. If a man seeketh redemption after
having committed a sin, without doubt he is purged
of all his sins and looketh pure and resplendent like
the moon emerged from the clouds. A man that
seeketh redemption is washed of all his sins, even
as the sun, upon rising, dispelleth all darkness.
O best of Brahmanas, it is temptation that constitutes
the basis of sin. Men that are ignorant commit
sin, yielding to temptation alone. Sinful men
generally cover themselves with a virtuous exterior,
like wells whose mouths are covered by long grass.
Outwardly they seem to possess self-control and holiness
and indulge in preaching virtuous texts which, in
their mouth are of little meaning. Indeed, everything
may be noticed in them except conduct that is truly
virtuous!’
“Markandeya continued, ’At these words,
O best of men, of the fowler, that Brahmana endued
with great wisdom, then asked the fowler, saying,
’How shall I know what is virtuous conduct?
Blessed be thou, I desire to hear this, O thou foremost
of virtuous men, from thee. Therefore, O thou
of exalted soul, tell me all about it truly.’
Hearing these words, the fowler replied, saying, ’O
best of Brahmanas, Sacrifices, Gift, Asceticism, the
Vedas, and Truth—these five holy things
are ever present in conduct that is called virtuous.
Having subjugated lust and wrath pride avarice, and
crookedness, they that take pleasure in virtue because
it is virtue, are regarded as really virtuous and worthy
of the approbation of persons that are virtuous.
These persons who are devoted to sacrifices; and study
of the Vedas have no independent behaviour. They
follow only the practices of the honest and the good.
This indeed, is the second attribute of the virtuous.
Waiting upon superiors, Truth, Freedom from anger,
and Gift, these four, O Brahmana, are inseparably connected
with behaviour that is virtuous. For the reputation
that a person acquires by setting his heart on virtuous