One is not to be called a mendicant for his having only renounced his possessions, or for his having only adopted a life of dependence on eleemosynary charity.  He who renounces the possessions and pleasures of the world in a sincere frame of mind is to be regarded a true mendicant.[61] Unattached at heart, though attached in outward show, standing aloof from the world, having broken all his bonds, and regarding friend and foe equally, such a man, O king, is regarded to be emancipated!  Having shaved their heads clean and adopted the brown robe, men may be seen to betake themselves to a life of wandering mendicancy, though bound by various ties and though ever on the lookout for bootless wealth.  They who, casting off the three Vedas, their usual occupations, and children, adopt a life or mendicancy by taking up the triple-headed crutch and the brown robe, are really persons of little understanding.  Without having cast off anger and other faults, the adoption of only the brown robe, know, O king, is due to the desire of earning the means of sustenance.  Those persons of clean-shaven heads that have set up the banner of virtue, have this only (viz., the acquisition of sustenance) for their object in life.  Therefore, O king, keeping thy passions under control, do thou win regions of bliss hereafter by supporting them that are truly pious amongst men of matted locks or clean-shaven heads, naked or clad in rags, or skins or brown robes.  Who is there that is more virtuous than he who maintains his sacred fire, who performs sacrifices with presents of animals and Dakshina, and who practises charity day and night?’

“Arjuna continued, ’King Janaka is regarded to have been a truth-knowing person in this world.  Even he, in this matter (viz., the ascertainment of duty) had become stupefied.  Do not yield to stupefaction!  Even thus the duties of Domesticity are observed by persons practising charity.  By abstaining from injuries of all kinds, by casting off desire and wrath, by being engaged in protecting all creatures, by observing the excellent duty of charity, and lastly by cherishing superiors and persons of age, we shall succeed in attaining such regions of bliss as we like.  By duly gratifying gods, guests, and all creatures, by worshipping Brahmanas, and by truthfulness of speech, we shall certainly attain to desirable regions of bliss.’”

SECTION XIX

“Yudhishthira said, ’I am conversant with both the Vedas and the scriptures that lead to the attainment of Brahma.  In the Vedas there are precepts of both kinds, viz., those that inculcate action and those that inculcate renouncement of action.  The scriptures are confounding and their conclusions are based upon reasons.  The truth, however, that is in the Mantras, is duly known to me.  Thou art conversant only with weapons and observant of the practices of heroes.  Thou art unable to understand truly the sense of the scriptures.  If thou wert