alms, that are emaciated for want of adequate food
and drink, that have lived in the abodes of their
preceptors, that are averse to and destitute of all
enjoyments, and that are poor in the goods of this
Earth. I bow unto them, O Yadava, that have no
affection for things of this Earth, that have no quarrels
to wage with others, that do not clothe themselves,
that have no wants, that have become irresistible
through the acquisition of the Vedas, that are eloquent
in the exposition of righteousness, and that are utterers
of Brahma, I bow unto them that are devoted to the
practice of the duty of compassion towards all creatures,
that are firm in the observance of truth, that are
self-restrained, and that are peaceful in their behaviour.
I bow unto them, O Yadava, that are devoted to the
worship of deities and guests, that are observant of
the domestic mode of life, and that follow the practice
of pigeons in the matter of their subsistence.[253]
I always bow unto those persons whose aggregate of
three exists, without being weakened, in all their
acts, and who are observant of truth and righteous
behaviour,[254] I bow unto them, O Kesava, that are
conversant with Brahma, that are endued with knowledge
of the Vedas, that are attentive to the aggregate of
three, that are free from cupidity, and that are righteous
in their behaviour. I bow unto them, O Madhava,
that subsist upon water only, or upon air alone, or
upon the remnants of the food that is offered to deities
and guests, and that are observant of diverse kinds
of excellent vows. I always worship them that
have no spouses (in consequence of the vow of celibacy
they observe), that have spouses and the domestic
fire (in consequence of the domestic mode of life
they lead), that are the refuge of the Vedas, and
that are the refuge of all creatures in the universe
(in consequence of the compassion they feel towards
them). I always bow unto those Rishis, O Krishna,
that are the creators of the universe, that are the
elders of the universe, that are the eldest members
of the race or the family, that are dispellers of
the darkness of ignorance, and that are the best of
all persons in the universe (for righteousness of
behaviour and knowledge of the scriptures). For
these reasons, do thou also, O scion of Vrishni’s
race, worship every day those regenerate persons of
whom I speak. Deserving as they are of reverent
worship, they will when worshipped, confer happiness
on thee, O sinless one. Those persons of whom
I speak are always givers of happiness in this world
as well as in the next. Reverenced by all, they
move about in this world, and if worshipped by thee
are sure to grant thee happiness. They who are
hospitable to all persons that come unto them as guests,
and who are always devoted to Brahmanas and kine,
as also to truth (in speech and behaviour), succeed
in crossing all calamities and obstacles. They
who are always devoted to peacefulness of behaviour,
as also they who are freed from malice and envy, and