He, however, who though possessed of objects of enjoyment casts them off and engages himself in the practice of penances, succeeds in acquiring everything.  The fruits of the penances of such a man are, I think, much higher.  Mothers and sires and sons and spouses, by hundreds and thousands, every one had and will have in this world.  Who, however, were they and whose are we?  I am quite alone.  I have no one whom I may call mine.  Nor do I belong to any one else.  I do not see that person whose I am, nor do I see him whom I may call mine.  They have nothing to do with thee.  Thou hest nothing to do with them.[1733] All creatures take birth agreeably to their acts of past lives.  Thou also shalt have to go hence (for taking birth in a new order) determined by thy own acts.  In this world it is seen that the friends and followers of only those that are rich behave towards the rich with devotion.  The friends and followers of those, however, that are poor fall away during even the life-time of the poor.  Man commits numerous evil acts for the sake of his wife (and children).  From those evil acts he derives much distress both here and hereafter.  The wise man beholds the world of life devastated by the acts performed by every living being.  Do thou, therefore, O son, act according to all the instructions I have given thee!  The man possessed of true vision, beholding this world to be only a field of action, should, from desire of felicity in the next world, do acts that are good.  Time, exerting his irresistible strength, cooks all creatures (in his own cauldron), with the aid of his ladle constituted by months and seasons, the sun for his fire, and days and nights for his fuel, days and nights, that is that are the witnesses of the fruits of every act done by every creature.  For what purpose is that wealth which is not given away and which is not enjoyed?  For what purpose is that strength which is not employed in resisting or subjugating one’s foes?  For what purpose is that knowledge of the scriptures which does not impel one to deeds of righteousness?  And for what purpose is that soul which does not subjugate the senses and abstain from evil acts?  “Bhishma continued, ’Having heard these beneficial words spoken by the Island-born (Vyasa), Suka, leaving his sire, proceeded to seek a preceptor that could teach him the religion of Emancipation.’"[1734]

SECTION CCCXXIII

“Yudhishthira said, ’If there is any efficacy in gifts, in sacrifices, in penances well-performed, and in dutiful services rendered to preceptors and other reverend seniors, do thou, O grandsire, speak of the same to me.  “Bhishma said, ’An understanding associated with evil causes the mind to fall into sin.  In this state one stains one’s acts, and then falls into great distress.  Those that are of sinful acts have to take birth as persons of very indigent circumstances.  From famine to famine, from pain to pain, from fear to fear, is their