himself is not feared, when he cherishes no desire and hath no aversion for anything, he is then said to attain to Brahma.  When a person does not conduct himself sinfully towards any creature in thought, word, or deed, then is he said to attain to Brahma.  There is no past, no future.  There is no morality or righteousness.  He who is not an object of fear with any creature succeeds in attaining to a state in which there is no fear.[1150] On the other hand, that person who for harshness of speech and severity of temper, is a source of trouble unto all creatures even as death itself, certainly attains to a state which abounds with fear.  I follow the practices of high-souled and benevolent men of advanced years who with their children and children’s children live in the due observance of the ordinance laid down in the scriptures.[1151] The eternal practices (laid down in the Vedas) are entirely given up by one who suffers himself to be stupefied by some errors that he may have noticed in the conduct of those that are admittedly good and wise.  One, however, that is endued with learning, or one that has subdued one’s senses, or one that is possessed of strength of mind, succeeds in attaining to Emancipation, guided by that very conduct.[1152] That wise man who, having restrained his senses, practiseth, with a heart cleansed from all desire of injuring others, the conduct that is followed by those called good, is sure, O Jajali, to acquire the merit of righteousness (and Emancipation which is its fruits).  In this world, as in a river, a piece of wood that is being borne away by the current as it pleases, is seen to come into contact (for some time) with another piece that is being similarly borne away.  There, on the current, other pieces of wood that had been joined together, are seen again to separate from one another.  Grass, sticks, and cowdung cakes are seen to be united together.  This union is due to accident and not to purpose or design.[1153] He of whom no creature is frightened in the least is himself, O ascetic, never frightened by any creature.  He, on the other hand, O learned man, of whom every creature is frightened as of a wolf, becomes himself filled with fear as aquatic animals when forced to leap on the shore from fear of the roaring Vadava fire.[1154] This practice of universal harmlessness hath arisen even thus.  One may follow it by every means in one’s power.  He who has followers and he who has wealth may seek to adopt it.  It is sure to lead also to prosperity and heaven.[1155] Inconsequence of their ability to dispel the fears of others, men possessed of wealth and followers are regarded as foremost by the learned.  They that are for ordinary happiness practise this duty of universal harmlessness for the sake of fame; while they that are truly skilled, practise the same for the sake of attaining to Brahma.[1156] Whatever fruits one enjoys by penances, by sacrifices, by practising liberality, by speaking the truth, and by paying court