and virtue. Relying upon the strength of apparent
reasons, they create diverse kinds of schisms in religion.
Intent upon accomplishing the purposes of cupidity,
they destroy the ways of righteousness. When
wicked-souled persons under the domination of covetousness
apparently practise the duties of righteousness, the
consequence that results is that the desecrations
committed by them soon become current among men.
Pride, anger, arrogance, insensibility, paroxysms
of joy and sorrow, and self-importance, all these,
O descendant of Kuru, are to be seen in persons swayed
by covetousness. Know that they who are always
under the influence of covetousness are wicked.
I shall now tell thee of those about whom thou askest,
viz., those who are called good and whose practices
are pure. They who have no fear of an obligation
to return to this world (after death), they who have
no fear of the next world, they who are not addicted
to animal food and who have no liking for what is agreeable
and no dislike for what is otherwise, they to whom
good behaviour is ever dear, they in whom there is
self-restraint, they to whom pleasure and pain are
equal, they who have truth for their high refuge, they
who give but not take, they who have compassion, they
who worship Pitris, gods and guests, they who are
always ready to exert themselves (for the good of
others), they who are universal benefactors, they who
are possessed of great courage (of mind), they who
observe all the duties laid down in the scriptures,
they who are devoted to the good of all, they who can
give their all and lay down their very lives for others,
are regarded as good and virtuous, O Bharata!
Those promoters of righteousness are incapable of
being forced away from the path of virtue. Their
conduct, conformable to the model set by the righteous
men of old, can never be otherwise. They are
perfectly fearless, they are tranquil, they are mild,
and they always adhere to the right path. Full
of compassion, they are always worshipped by the good.
They are free from lust and anger. They are not
attached to any worldly object. They have no pride.
They are observant of excellent vows. They are
always objects of regard. Do thou, therefore,
always wait upon them and seek instruction from them.
They never acquire virtue, O Yudhishthira, for the,
sake of wealth or of fame. They acquire it on
the other hand, because it is a duty like that of cherishing
the body. Fear, wrath, restlessness, and sorrow
do not dwell in them. There is not the outward
garb of religion for misleading their fellowmen.
There is no mystery with them. They are perfectly
contented. There is no error of judgment arising
from covetousness. They are always devoted to
truth and sincerity. Their hearts never fall
from righteousness. Thou shouldst show thy regard
for them always, O son of Kunti! They are never
delighted at any acquisition or pained at any loss.
Without attachment to anything, and freed from pride,