The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,582 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,582 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4.
what is obtained in alms, and should stand, sit, and take exercise (as directed).[136] He should pour libations on the fire twice a day, having purified himself and with concentrated mind.  He should always bear a staff made of Vilwa or Palasa.[137] The robes of the regenerate man should be linen, or of cotton, or deer-skin, or a cloth that is entirely brown-red.  There should also be a girdle made of Munja-grass.  He should bear matted locks on head, and should perform his ablutions every day.  He should bear the sacred thread, study the scriptures, divest himself of cupidity, and be steady in the observance of vows.  He should also gratify the deities with oblations of pure water, his mind being restrained the while.  Such a Brahmacharin is worthy of applause.  With vital seed drawn up and mind concentrated, one that is thus devoted succeeds in conquering Heaven.  Having attained to the highest seat, he has not to return to birth.  Cleansed by all purificatory rites and having lived as a Brahmacharin, one should next go out of one’s village and next live as an ascetic in the woods, having renounced (all attachments).  Clad in animal skins or barks of trees he should perform his ablutions morning and evening.  Always living within the forest, he should never return to an inhabited place.  Honouring guests when they come, he should give them shelter, and himself subsist upon fruits and leaves and common roots, and Syamaka.  He should, without being slothful subsist on such water as he gets, and air, and all forest products.  He should live upon these, in due order, according to the regulations of his initiation.[138] He should honour the guest that comes to him with alms of fruits and roots.  He should then, without sloth, always give whatever other food he may have.  Restraining speech the while, he should eat after gratifying deities and guests.  His mind should be free from envy.  He should eat little, and depend always on the deities.  Self-restrained, practising universal compassion, and possessed of forgiveness, he should wear both beard and hair (without submitting to the operations of the barber).  Performing sacrifices and devoting himself to the study of the scriptures, he should be steady in the observance of the duty of truth.  With body always in a state of purity, endued with cleverness, ever dwelling in the forest, with concentrated mind, and senses in subjection, a forest-recluse, thus devoting himself, would conquer Heaven.  A householder, or Brahmacharin, or forest-recluse, who would wish to achieve Emancipation, should have recourse to that which has been called the best course of conduct.  Having granted unto all creatures the pledge of utter abstention from harm, he should thoroughly renounce all action.  He should contribute to the happiness of all creatures, practise universal friendliness, subjugate all his senses, and be an ascetic.  Subsisting upon food obtained without asking and without trouble, and that has come to him spontaneously, he
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The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.