really acquainted with duty, then thou couldst have understood that words such as these ought not to have been addressed to me by even one possessed of the clearest insight into the meaning of the scriptures and acquainted with the truths of religion.  That, however, which thou hast said unto me, induced by fraternal affection, has been fit and proper, O son of Kunti!  I am, for that, pleased with thee, O Arjuna!  There is no one equal to thee in the three worlds in all duties connected with battle and in skill in respect of diverse kinds of acts.  Thou mayst, therefore, speak of the subtleties connected with those subjects,—­subtleties, that is, that are impenetrable by others.  It behoveth thee not, however, O Dhananjaya, to doubt my intelligence.  Thou art conversant with the science of battle, but thou hast never waited upon the aged.  Thou knowest not the conclusions arrived at by those that have studied the subject in brief and detail.  Even this is the conclusion of intelligent men whose understanding are bent on achieving salvation, viz., that amongst ascetic penances, renunciation, and knowledge of Brahma, the second is superior to the first, and the third is superior to the second.  This, however, that thou thinkest, viz., that there is nothing superior to wealth, is an error.  I will convince thee of it, so that wealth may not again appear to thee in that light.  All men that are righteous are seen to be devoted to ascetic penances and the study of the Vedas.  The Rishis also, that have many eternal regions for them, have the merit of penances.  Others possessed of tranquillity of soul, having no enemies, and dwelling in the woods, have, through penances and study of the Vedas, proceeded to heaven.  Pious men, by restraining desire for worldly possessions, and casting off that darkness which is born of folly, proceed northward (i.e., by luminous paths) to the regions reserved for practisers of renunciation.  The path that lies to the south and that leads to regions of light (i.e., lunar regions), are reserved for men devoted to action.  These are attained by persons subject to birth and death.  That end, however, which persons desirous of salvation have before their eyes, is indescribable.  Yoga is the best means for attaining to it.  It is not easy to explain it (to thee).  Those that are learned live, reflecting on the scriptures from desire of finding what is unreal.  They are, however, often led away to this and to that in the belief that the object of their search exists in this and that.  Having mastered, however, the Vedas, the Aranyakas, and the other scriptures, they miss the real, like men failing to find solid timber in an uprooted banana plant.  Some there are who., disbelieving in its unity, regard the Soul, that dwells in this physical frame consisting of the five elements, to be possessed of the attributes of desire and aversion (and others).[62] Incapable of being seen by the eye, exceedingly subtle, and inexpressible by words, it revolves in a round