unchanged.[1135] Thus that conduct by which one becomes meritorious impedes another in the acquisition of merit.  One may thus see that all courses of conduct are seen to lose singleness of purpose and character.  It seems, therefore, that only that which the learned of ancient times called righteousness is righteousness to this day:  and through that course of conduct (which the learned so settled) the distinctions and limitations (that govern the world) have become eternal.’"[1136]

SECTION CCLXI

“Bhishma said, ’In this connection is cited the old narrative of the conversation of Tuladhara with Jajali on the topic of righteousness.  There was once a Brahmana of the name of Jajali who lived in a certain forest, practising the ways of a forest-recluse.[1137] Of austere penances, he proceeded on a certain occasion towards the sea-shore, and having arrived there began to practise the most severe penances.  Observing many vows and restraints, his food regulated by many rules of fast, his body clad in rags and skins, bearing matted locks on his head his entire person smeared with filth and clay, that Brahmana possessed of intelligence passed many years there, suspending speech (and engaged in Yoga meditation).  Possessed of great energy, that regenerate ascetic, O monarch, while living within the waters (of the sea), roamed through all the worlds with the speed of the mind, desirous of seeing all things.[1138] Having beheld the whole earth bounded by the ocean and adorned with rivers and lakes and woods, the ascetic one day, while sitting under the water, began to think in this strain, ’In this world of mobile and immobile creatures there is none equal to me.  Who can roam with me among the stars and planets in the firmament and dwell again within the waters.’  Unseen by the Rakshasas while he repeated this to himself, the Pisachas said unto him, ’It behoves thee not to say so.  There is a man, named Tuladhara, possessed of great fame and engaged in the business of buying and selling.  Even he, O best of regenerate persons, is not worthy of saying such words as thou sayest.’  Thus addressed by those beings, Jajali of austere penances replied unto them, saying, ’I shall see that famous Tuladhara who is possessed of such wisdom.’  When the Rishi said those words, those superhuman beings raised him from the sea, and said unto him, ’O best of regenerate persons, go thou along this road.’  Thus addressed by those beings, Jajali proceeded onwards with a cheerless heart.  Arrived at Varanasi he met Tuladhara whom he addressed saying the following words.’

“Yudhishthira said, ’What, O sire, are those difficult feats that Jajali had performed before in consequence of which he had acquired such high success?  It behoveth thee to describe them to me.’