Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/304

270 gradually attain to felicitous regions? Asked by me, O tell it in full!'

"Yayati answered, 'The wise say that for men there are seven gates through which admission may be gained into Heaven: these are Asceticism, Gift, Quiet of mind, Self-command, Modesty, Simplicity, and Kindness to all creatures. The wise also say that a person loseth all these in consequence of vanity. That man who having acquired knowledge regardeth himself as learned, and with his learning destroyeth the reputation of others, never attaineth to regions of indestructible felicity. That knowledge also doth not make the possessor competent to attain to Brahma. Study, the vow of silence, worship before fire, and sacrifices, these four remove all fear. When however these are mixed with vanity, instead of removing, they cause fear. The wise should never exult on receiving honors; nor should they grieve at insults. For it is the wise alone that honor the wise; the wicked never act like the virtuous. I have given away so much—I have performed so many sacrifices—I have studied so much—I have observed these vows,—such vanity is the root of fear. Therefore thou must not indulge such feelings. Those learned men who accept as their support the unchangeable, inconceivable Brahma alone that ever showereth blessings on persons virtuous as thee, enjoy perfect peace here and hereafter!

And thus ends the ninetieth Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.

 

( Sambhava Parva continued. )

Ashtaka said, 'Those congnisant with the Vedas differ in opinion as to how the followers of each of the four modes of life, viz, Grihastas, Bhilshus, Brahmacharis, and Vanaprashtas, are to conduct themselves in order to acquire religious merit.'

"Yayati answered, 'These are what a Brahmachari must do. While dwelling in the abode of his preceptor, he must receive lessons only when his preceptor summons him to do