The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,886 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,886 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3.
proclaims his own faults but notices and proclaims those of others).  The very thief, stealing what belongs to others, spends the produce of his theft in acts of apparent virtue.  During a time of anarchy, the thief takes great pleasure in appropriating what belongs to others.  When others, however, rob him of what he has acquired by robbery, he then wishes forthwith for a Icing (for invoking punishment on the head of the offenders).  At even such a time, when his indignation for offended rights of property is at its highest, he secretly covets the wealth of those that are contended with their own.  Fearlessly and without a doubt in his mind (when he is himself the victim of a robbery) he repairs to the king’s palace with a mind cleansed of every sin.  Within even his own heart he does not see the stain of any evil act.[1118] To speak the truth is meritorious.  There is nothing higher than truth.  Everything is upheld by truth, and everything rests upon truth.  Even the sinful and ferocious, swearing to keep the truth amongst themselves, dismiss all grounds of quarrel and uniting with one another set themselves to their (sinful) tasks, depending upon truth.  If they behaved falsely towards one another, they would then be destroyed without doubt.  One should not take what belongs to others.  That is an eternal obligation.  Powerful men regard it as one that has been introduced by the weak.  When, however, the destiny of these men becomes adverse, this injunction then meets with their approval.  Then again they that surpass others in strength or prowess do not necessarily become happy.[1119] Therefore, do not ever set thy heart on any act that is wrong.  One behaving in this way hath no fear of dishonest men or thieves or the king.  Not having done any injury to any one, such a man lives fearlessly and with a pure heart.  A thief fears everybody, like a deer driven from the woods into the midst of an inhabited village.  He thinks other people to be as sinful as himself.  One that is of pure heart is always filled with cheerfulness and hath no fear from any direction.  Such a person never sees his own misconduct in others.[1120] Persons engaged in doing good to all creatures have said that the practice of charity is another high duty.  They that are possessed of wealth think that this duty has been laid down by those that are indigent.  When, however, those wealthy men meet with poverty in consequence of some turn of fortune, the practice of charity then recommends itself to them.  Men that are exceedingly wealthy do not necessarily meet with happiness.[1121] Knowing how painful it is to himself, a person should never do that to others which he dislikes when done to him by others.[1122] What can one who becomes the lover of another man’s wife say to another man (guilty of the same transgression)? it is seen, however, that even such a one, when he sees his lady with another lover, becomes unable to forgive the act.[1123] How can one who, to draw breath
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The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.