than mountains. It is the basis upon which everything
is founded; it is unchangeable; it is this visible
universe (omnipresent); it is vast; it is delightful;
creatures have all sprung from it and are to return
to it. Free from all kinds of duality, it is
manifest as the universe and all-pervading. Men
of learning say that it is without any change, except
in the language used to describe it. They are
emancipated that are acquainted with That in which
this universe is established.’”
“Sanat-sujata said, ’Sorrow, anger, covetousness,
lust, ignorance, laziness, malice, self-importance,
continuous desire of gain, affection, jealousy and
evil speech,—these twelve, O monarch, are
grave faults that are destructive of men’s lives.
Each of these, O monarch, wait for opportunities to
seize mankind. Afflicted by them, men lose their
senses and commit sinful acts. He that is covetous,
he that is fierce, he that is harsh of speech, he
that is garrulous, he that is given to nursing anger,
he that is boastful,—these six of wicked
disposition, on obtaining wealth, cannot treat others
with courtesy. He that regardeth sensual gratification
as the end of life, he that is self-conceited, he
that boasteth having made a gift, he that never spendeth,
he that is weak in mind, he that is given to self-admiration,
and he that hateth his own wife,—these
seven are counted as wicked men of sinful habits.
Righteousness, truth, asceticism, self-restraint, contentment,
modesty, renunciation, love of others, gift, acquaintance
with the scriptures, patience, and forgiveness,—these
twelve are the practices of a Brahmana. He that
doth not fall off from these twelve, may sway the entire
earth. He that is endued with three, or two,
or even one, of these, doth never regard anything
as his own to the exclusion of others. Self-restraint,
renunciation, and knowledge,—in these reside
emancipation. These are the attributes of Brahmanas
endued with wisdom and regarding Brahman as the highest
of all objects of attainment. True or false, it
is not laudable for a Brahmana to speak ill of others;
they that do this have hell for their abode.
Mada hath eighteen faults which have not yet been enumerated
by me. They are ill-will towards others, throwing
obstacles in the way of virtuous acts, detraction,
falsehood in speech, lust, anger, dependence, speaking
ill of others, finding out the faults of others for
report, waste of wealth, quarrel, insolence, cruelty
to living creatures, malice, ignorance, disregard
of those that are worthy of regard, loss of the senses
of right and wrong, and always seeking to injure others.
A wise man, therefore, should not give way to mada,
for the accompaniments of mada are censurable.
Friendship is said to possess six indications; firstly,
friends delight in the prosperity of friends, and secondly,
are distressed at their adversity. If any one
asketh for anything which is dear to his heart, but
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