to be attached to the objects of the senses; never languishes in sorrow or rejoices in happiness.  When overwhelmed with even great afflictions, such a person never gives way to grief.  That person is a very superior one whom even great success cannot gladden and even dire calamities cannot afflict, and who bears pleasure and pain, and that which is between them both, with an unmoved heart.  Into whatever condition a person may fall, he should summon cheerfulness without yielding to sorrow.  Indeed, even thus should one drive off from one’s self one’s swelling grief that is born in one’s mind and that is (if not dispelled) sure to give pain.  That assembly of learned persons engaged in the discussion of duties based upon both the Srutis and the Smritis is not a good assembly,—­indeed, that does not deserve to be called by the name of assembly,—­entering which a wicked man does not become penetrated with fear (born of his wicked deeds).  That man is the foremost of his species who having dived into and enquired after righteousness succeeds in acting according to the conclusions to which he arrives.[853] The acts of a wise man are not easily comprehensible.  He that is wise, is never Stupefied when afflictions come upon him.  Even if he falls away from his position like Gautama in his old age, in consequence of the direct calamity, he does not suffer himself to be stupefied.[854] By any of these, viz., mantras, strength, energy, wisdom, prowess, behaviour, conduct, or the affluence of wealth, can a person acquire that which has not been ordained to be acquired by him?  What sorrow then is there for the non-acquisition of that upon which one has set one’s heart?  Before I was born, they that have the matter in their hands had ordained what I am to do and suffer.  I am fulfilling what was thus ordained for me.  What then can death do to me?  One obtains only that which has been ordained to be obtained.  One goes thither whither it was ordained that one is to go.  Those sorrows and joys are obtained that are ordained to be obtained.  That man who knowing this fully, does not suffer himself to be stupefied, and who is contented under both happiness and sorrow, is regarded as the foremost of his species.’”

SECTION CCXXVII

“Yudhishthira said, ’What, indeed, is good for a man that is sunk in dire distress, when loss of friends or loss of kingdom, O monarch has occurred?  In this world, O bull of Bharata’s race, thou art the foremost of our instructors.  I ask thee this.  It behoveth thee to tell me what I ask.’

“Bhishma said, ’For one that has been deprived of sons and wives and pleasures of every kind and wealth, and that has been plunged into dire distress, fortitude is of the highest good, O king!  The body is never emaciated of one that is always possessed of fortitude.  Grieflessness bears happiness within it, and also health that is a superior possession.  In consequence again of this health of body, once may