Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/259

Rh handsome never taunts anybody. And he that always talketh evil becometh a reviler. And as the swine always affect dirt and filth even when in the midst of a flower-garden, so the wicked always choose the evil out of both evil and good that others speak. Those, however, that are wise, hearing the speeches of others that are intermixed with both good and evil, accept only what is good, like geese that always extract the milk though it be mixed with water. As the honest are always pained in speaking ill of others, so are the wicked always rejoiced in doing the same thing. As the honest are always pleased in showing regard for the old, so are the wicked always rejoiced in aspersing the good. The honest are happy in seeking for them. The wicked ever speak ill of the honest. But the latter never injure the former even if injured by them. What can be more ridiculous in the world than those that are themselves wicked should represent the really honest as wicked? When even atheists are annoyed with those that have fallen off from truth and virtue and who are really like angry snakes of virulent poison, what shall I say of myself who am nurtured in faith? He that, having begotten a son who is his own image, regardeth him not, never attaineth to the worlds he coveteth, and verily the gods destroy his good fortune and possessions. The pitris have said that the son continueth the race and the line and is, therefore, the best of all religious acts. Therefore should none abandon a son. Manu hath said that there are five kinds of sons: those begotten by one's self in his own wife, those obtained (in gift) from others, those purchased for a consideration, those reared with affection and those begotten in others than wedded wives. Sons support the religion and achievements of men, enhance their joys, and rescue deceased ancestors from hell. It behoveth thee not, therefore, O tiger among kings, to abandon a son who is such. Therefore, O lord of the earth, cherish thy own self, truth, and virtue, by cherishing thy son. O thou lion among monarchs, it behoveth thee not to support this deceitfulness. The dedication of a tank is more meritorious than that of a hundred wells. A sacrifice again is more meritorious than the dedication of a 29