countries, and also the languages of different nations, and of the usages of different orders of men, knoweth at once all that is high and low; and wherever he may go, he is sure to gain an ascendancy over even those that are glad.  The intelligent man who relinquisheth pride, folly, insolence, sinful acts, disloyalty towards the king, crookedness of behaviour, enmity with many, and also quarrels with men that are drunk, mad and wicked, is the foremost of his species.  The very gods bestow prosperity upon him who daily practiseth self-restraint, purification, auspicious rites, worship of the gods, expiatory ceremonies, and other rites of universal observance.  The acts of that learned man are well-conceived, and well-applied who formeth matrimonial alliances with persons of equal positions and not with those that are inferior, who placeth those before him that are more qualified, and who talketh, behaveth and maketh friendships with persons of equal position.  He who eateth frugally after dividing the food amongst his dependants, who sleepeth little after working much, and who, when solicited giveth away even unto his foes, hath his soul under control, and calamities always keep themselves aloof from him.  He whose counsels are well-kept and well-carried out into practice, and whose acts in consequence thereof are never known by others to injure men, succeedeth in securing even his most trifling objects.  He who is intent upon abstaining from injury to all creatures, who is truthful, gentle, charitable, and pure in mind, shineth greatly among his kinsmen like a precious gem of the purest ray having its origin in an excellent mine.  That man who feeleth shame even though his faults be not known to any save himself, is highly honoured among all men.  Possessed of a pure heart and boundless energy and abstracted within himself, he shineth in consequence of his energy like the very sun.  King Pandu consumed by a (Brahmana’s) curse, had five sons born unto him in the woods that are like five Indras.  O son of Ambika, thou hast brought up those children and taught them everything.  They are obedient to thy commands.  Giving them back their just share of the kingdom, O sire, filled with joy, be thou happy with thy sons.  Then, O monarch, thou shalt inspire confidence in both the gods and men.’”

SECTION XXXIV

“Dhritarashtra said, ’Tell me what may be done by a person that is sleepless and burning with anxieties, for thou alone amongst us, O child, art versed in both religion and profit.  Advise me wisely, O Vidura.  O thou of magnanimous heart, tell me what is thou deemest to be beneficial for Ajatasatru and what is productive of good to the Kurus.  Apprehending future evils.  I look back only on my previous guilt:  I ask thee with anxious heart, O learned one, tell me what is exactly in Ajatasatru’s mind,’