kinds of rites according to the dictates of the scriptures.  They do not, however, succeed in attaining to Emancipation, all that they gain being those good qualities of which I shall presently speak.[748] Purity of speech, of body, and of mind, forgiveness, truth, steadiness, and intelligence,—­these good qualities are displayed by righteous persons observant of both kinds of religion.  That which is called Brahmacharya (religion of abstention or yoga) is regarded as the means of attaining to Brahma.  That is the foremost of all religions.  It is by the practice of that religion that one obtains the highest end (viz., Emancipation).  Brahmacharya is divested of all connection with the five vital breaths, mind, understanding, the five senses of perception, and the five senses of action.  It is on that account free from all the perceptions that the senses give.  It is heard only as a word, and its form, without being seen, can only be conceived.  It is a state of existence depending only on the mind.  It is free from all connection with the senses.  That sinless state should be attained to by the understanding alone.  He that practises it duly attains to Brahma; he that practises it half and half, attains to the condition of the gods; while he that practises it indifferently, takes birth among Brahmanas and possessed of learning attains to eminence.  Brahmacharya is exceedingly difficult to practise.  Listen now to the means (by which one may practise it).  That regenerate person who betakes himself to it should subdue the quality of Passion as soon as it begins to manifest itself or as soon as it begins to be powerful.  One that has betaken oneself to that vow should not speak with women.  He should never cast his eyes on an undressed woman.  The sight of women, under even indifferent circumstances, fills all weak-minded men with Passion.  If a person (while observing this vow) feels a desire for woman rising in his heart, he should (as an expiation) observe the vow called Krichcchra and also pass three days in water.[749] If desire is entertained in course of a dream, one should, diving in water, mentally repeat for three times the three Riks by Aghamarshana.[750] That wise man who has betaken himself to the practice of this vow should, with an extended and enlightened mind, burn the sins in his mind which are all due to the quality of Passion.  As the duct that bears away the refuse of the body is very closely connected with the body, even so the embodied Soul is very closely connected with the body that confines it.  The different kinds of juices, passing through the network of arteries, nourish men’s wind and bile and phlegm, blood and skin and flesh, intestines and bones and marrow, and the whole body.  Know that there are ten principal ducts.  These assist the functions of the five senses.  From those ten branch out thousands of other ducts that are minuter in form.  Like rivers filling the ocean at the proper season, all these ducts, containing juices nourish the body.