The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,273 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,273 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1.
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 answered,—­’The report of one’s good action reacheth heaven and spreadeth over the earth.  As long as that report lasteth, so long is a person to whom the agreeable and the disagreeable, weal and woe, the past and the future, are the same, is said to possess every kind of wealth.’  The Yaksha said,—­’Thou hast, O king truly answered who is a man, and what man possesseth every kind of wealth.  Therefore, let one only amongst thy brothers, whom thou mayst wish, get up
Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.