knowledge.  That conduct, however, which men pursue after deviating from the path of knowledge, afflicts them (by subjecting them to the evils of life and death).  It is evident that ye are possessed of knowledge and dissociated from every worldly object that may produce distress.  But have any of you at any time succeeded in acquiring that knowledge in consequence of which everything is capable of being viewed as identical with one Universal Soul?[1252] Without a correct apprehension of the scriptures, some there are, fond only of disputation, who, in consequence of being overwhelmed by desire and aversion, become the slaves of pride and arrogance.  Without having correctly understood the meaning of scriptural declarations, these robbers of the scriptures, these depredators of Brahma, influenced by arrogance and error, refuse to pursue tranquillity and practise self-restraint.[1253] These men behold fruitlessness on every side, and if (by chance) they succeed in obtaining the puissance of knowledge they never impart it to others for rescuing them.  Made up entirely of the quality of Tamas, they have Tamas only for their refuge.  One becomes subject to all the incidents of that nature which one imbibes.  Accordingly, of him who hath Tamas for his refuge, the passions of envy, lust, wrath, pride, falsehood, and vanity, continually grow, for one’s qualities have one’s nature for their spring.  Thinking in this strain and beholding these faults (through the aid of instructions secured from preceptors), Yatis, who covet the highest end, betake themselves to Yoga, leaving both good and ill.’[1254]

“Syumarasmi said, ’O Brahmana, all that I have said (about the laudable character of acts and the opposite character of Renunciation) is strictly conformable to the scriptures.  It is, however, very true that without a correct apprehension of the meaning of the scriptures, one does not feel inclined to obey what the scriptures really declare.  Whatever conduct is consistent with equity is consistent with the scriptures.  Even that is what the Sruti declares.  Similarly, whatever conduct is inconsistent with equity is inconsistent with the scriptures.  This also is declared by the Sruti.  It is certain that no one can do an act that is scriptural by transgressing the scriptures.  That again is unscriptural which is against the Vedas.  The Sruti declares this.  Many men, who believe only what directly appeals to their senses, behold only this world (and not what is addressed in the scriptures to Faith).  They do not behold what the scriptures declare to be faults.  They have, accordingly, like ourselves, to give way to grief.  Those objects of the senses with which men like you are concerned are the same with which other living creatures are concerned.  Yet in consequence of your knowledge of the soul and their ignorance of it, how vast is the difference that exists between you and them!  All the four orders of men and all the four modes of life, however different