some rich.  Here toil, and fear and delusion, and painful hunger make their appearance.  Here cupidity for wealth is also seen, a passion that stupefies even those that are learned amongst men.  Here diverse opinions prevail, broached by those that do deeds which are righteous or sinful.  That man possessed of wisdom who knows all those opinions which may be divided into two kinds, is never stained by sin.  Deceit With fraud, theft, slander, malice, oppression, injury, treachery, and untruth, and vices that detract from the merit of his penances who practises them.  He, on the other hand, possessed of learning, who avoids them, finds the merit of his penances increased.  Here there is much reflection about acts that are righteous and those that are unrighteous.  This region that we inhabit is the field of action.  Having done good and evil here, one obtains good for his good acts and evil for acts that are evil.[586] Here the very Creator in days of yore, and all the gods with the Rishis, having performed proper penances, become cleansed and attain to Brahma.[587] The northern portion of the earth is highly auspicious and sacred.  Those belonging to this region (that we inhabit) that are doers of righteous deeds or that show regard for yoga, become born in that region.  Others (that are of a different disposition) take their births in the intermediate species.  Some again, when their allotted periods run out, become lost on earth.[588] Employed in feeding upon one another and stained by cupidity and delusion, these mea return to this very region without being able to go (after death) to that northern region.  Those men of wisdom who with vows and observant of Brahmacharyya listen with veneration to the instructions of preceptors, succeed in knowing the ends reserved for all classes of men.  I have now told thee in brief the course of duties ordained by Brahman.  He, indeed, is said to be possessed of intelligence who knows what is righteousness and what its reverse in this world.’

“Bhishma continued, ’Thus, O king, did Bhrigu speak unto Bharadwaja of great energy.  Of soul highly virtuous, the latter became filled with wonder and worshipped the great sage with veneration.  Thus, O monarch, the origin of the universe has been narrated to thee in detail.  What, O thou of great wisdom, dost thou wish to hear after this?"’

SECTION CXCIII

“Yudhishthira said, ’I think, O grandsire, that thou art acquainted with everything, O thou that art conversant with duties.  I desire to hear thee discourse to me, O sinless one, of the ordinances about conduct.’