“Bhishma said, ’Even this was said by the Grandsire unto Indra, O chief of Bharata’s race!  Indra imparted it unto Dasaratha, and Dasaratha in his turn unto his son Rama, Rama of Raghu’s race imparted it unto his dear brother Lakshmana of great fame.  While dwelling in the woods, Lakshmana imparted it unto the Rishis.  It has then come down from generation to generation, for the Rishis of rigid vows held it amongst themselves as also the righteous kings of the earth.  My preceptor, O Yudhishthira, communicated it to me.  That Brahmana, who recites it every day in the assemblies of Brahmanas, in sacrifices or at gifts of kine, or when two persons meet together, obtains hereafter many regions of inexhaustible felicity where he always resides with the deities as his companions.  The holy Brahman, the Supreme Lord, had said so (unto Indra on the subject of kine).’”

SECTION LXXV

“Yudhishthira said, ’I have been greatly assured, O thou of puissance, by thee thus discoursing unto me of duties.  I shall, however, give expression to the doubts I have.  Do thou explain them to me, O grandsire!  What are the fruits, declared in the scriptures, of the vows that men observe.  Of what nature are the fruits, O thou of great splendour, of observances of other kinds?  What, again, are the fruits, of one’s studying the Vedas properly?[365] What are the fruits of gifts, and what those of holding the Vedas in memory?  What are the fruits that attach to the teaching of the Vedas?  I desire to know all this.  What, O grandsire, are the merits attaching to the non-acceptance of gifts in this world?  What fruits are seen to attach to him who mazes gifts of knowledge?  What are the merits acquired by persons that are observant of the duties of their order, as also by heroes that do not flee from battle?  What are the fruits that have been declared to attach to the observance of purity and to the practice of Brahmacharya?  What are the merits that attach to the service of the father and of the mother?  What also are the merits of serving preceptors and teachers, and what are the merits of compassion and kindness?  I desire to know all these, O grandsire, truly and in detail, O thou that art conversant with all the scriptures!  Great is the curiosity f feel.’

“Bhishma said, ’Eternal regions of felicity become his, who, having properly commenced a Vrata (vow) completes its observance according to the scriptures, without a break.  The fruits of Niyamas, O king, are visible even in this world.  These rewards that thou hast won are those of Niyamas and sacrifices.  The fruits that attach to the study of the Vedas are seen both here and hereafter.  The person, who is devoted to the study of the Vedas is seen to sport in felicity both in this world and in the region of Brahma.  Listen now to me, O king, as I tell thee in detail what the fruits are of self-restraint.  They that are self-restrained are happy everywhere.