it is then that he succeeds in freeing himself from desire.[1297] He does not, however, even then cast off virtue or righteous acts.  Beholding then all the worlds to be liable to destruction, he strives to cast off virtue (with its rewards in the form of heaven and its happiness) and endeavours to attain to Emancipation by the (well-known) means.[1298] Gradually abandoning all sinful acts he betakes himself to Renunciation, and becoming righteous-souled succeeds at last in attaining to Emancipation.  I have now told thee, O son, of that about which thou hadst asked me, viz., the topics of Sin, Righteousness, Renunciation, and Emancipation, O Bharata!  Thou shouldst, therefore, O Yudhishthira, adhere to virtue in all situations.  Eternal is the success, O son of Kunti, of thee that adherest to righteousness.’"[1299]

SECTION CCLXXIV

“Yudhishthira said, ’Thou hast said, O grandsire, the Emancipation is to be won by means and not otherwise.  I desire to hear duly what those means are.’

“Bhishma said, ’O thou of great wisdom, this enquiry that thou hast addressed to me and that is connected with a subtle topic, is really worthy of thee, since thou, O sinless one, always seekest to accomplish all thy objects by the application of means.  That state of mind which is present when one sets oneself to make an earthen jar for one’s use, disappears after the jar has been completed.  After the same manner, that cause which urges persons who regard virtue as the root of advancement and prosperity ceases to operate with them that seek to achieve Emancipation.[1300] That path which leads to the Eastern Ocean is not the path by which one can go to the Western Ocean.  There is only one path that leads to Emancipation. (It is not identical with any of those that lead to arty other object of acquisition).  Listen to me as I discourse on it to thee in detail.  One should, by practising forgiveness, exterminate wrath, and by abandoning—­all purposes, root out desire.  By practising the quality of Sattwa[1301] one should conquer sleep.  By heedfulness one should keep off fear, and by contemplation of the Soul one should conquer breath.[1302] Desire, aversion, and lust, one should dispel by patience; error, ignorance, and doubt, by study of truth.  By pursuit after knowledge one should avoid insouciance and inquiry after things of no interest.[1303] By frugal and easily digestible fare one should drive off all disorders and diseases.  By contentment one should dispel greed and stupefaction of judgment, and all worldly concerns should be avoided by a knowledge of the truth.[1304] By practising benevolence one should conquer iniquity, and by regard for all creatures one should acquire virtue.  One should avoid expectation by the reflection that it is concerned with the future; and one should cast off wealth by abandoning desire itself.  The man of intelligence should abandon affection by recollecting that everything