SECTION CCLXII

“Bhishma said, ’Thus addressed by the intelligent Tuladhara on that occasion, Jajali of great intelligence, that foremost of ascetics, said these words unto him.’

“Jajali said, ’Thou sellest all kinds of juices and scents, O son of a trader, as also (barks and leaves of) large trees and herbs and their fruits and roots.  “How hast thou succeeded in acquiring a certitude or stability of understanding?  Whence hath this knowledge come to thee?  O thou of great intelligence, tell me all this in detail.’

“Bhishma continued, ’Thus addressed by that Brahmana possessed of I great fame, Tuladhara of the Vaisya order, well-acquainted with the truths touching the interpretations of morality and contented with knowledge, discoursed to Jajali who had undergone severe penances, upon the ways of morality.[1144]

“Tuladhara said, ’O Jajali, I know morality, which is eternal, with all its mysteries.  It is nothing else than that ancient morality which is known to all, and which consists of universal friendliness, and is fraught with beneficence to all creatures.[1145] That mode of living which is founded upon a total harmlessness towards all creatures or (in case of actual necessity) upon a minimum of such harm, is the highest morality.  I live according to that mode, O Jajali!  This my house hath been built with wood and grass cut by other people’s hands.  Lac dye, the roots of Nymphaea lotus, filaments of the lotus, diverse kinds of good scents[1146] and many kinds of liquids, O regenerate Rishi, with the exception of wines, I purchase from other people’s hand and sell without cheating.  He, O Jajali, is said to know what morality or righteousness is, who is always the friend of all creatures and who is always engaged in the good of all creatures, in thought, word, and deed.  I never solicit any one.  I never quarrel with any one, I never cherish aversion for any one.  I never cherish desire for anything.  I cast equal eyes upon all things and all creatures.  Behold, O Jajali, this is my vow!  My scales are perfectly even, O Jajali, with respect to all creatures.[1147] I neither praise nor blame the acts of others, viewing this variety in the world, O foremost of Brahmanas, to be like the variety observable in the sky.[1148] Know, O Jajali, that I cast equal eye upon all creatures.  O foremost of intelligent men, I see no difference between a clod of earth a piece of stone, and a lump of gold.  As the blind, the deaf, and they that are destitute of reason, are perfectly consoled for the loss of their senses, after the same manner am I consoled, by their example (for the enjoyments I abstain from).[1149] As they that are overtaken by decrepitude, they that are afflicted by disease, and they that are weakened and emaciated, have no relish for enjoyments of any kind, after the same manner have I ceased to feel any relish for wealth or pleasure or enjoyments.  When a person fears nothing and