discriminating the deserving from the undeserving is not easy.  The Supreme Ordainer created wealth for sacrifice, and He created man also for taking care of that wealth and for performing sacrifice.  For this reason the whole of one’s wealth should be applied to sacrifice.  Pleasure would follow from it as a natural consequence.  Possessed of abundant energy, Indra, by the performance of diverse sacrifices with profuse gifts of valuables, surpassed all the gods.  Having got their chiefship by that means, he shineth in heaven.  Therefore, everything should be applied to sacrifices.  Clad in deer-skins, the high-souled Mahadeva, having poured his own self as a libation in the sacrifice called Sarva, became the first of gods, and surpassing all creatures in the universe and prevailing over them by means of that achievement, shines in resplendence.  King Marutta, the son of Avikshit, by the profusion of his wealth, vanquished Sakra himself, the chief of the gods.  In the great sacrifice he performed, all the vessels were of gold, and Sree herself came in person.  Thou hast heard that the great king Harischandra, having performed sacrifices, earned great merit and great happiness.  Though a man, he nevertheless vanquished Sakra by his wealth.  For this reason everything should be applied to sacrifice.’”

SECTION XXI

“Devasthana said, ’In this connection is cited an old history, viz., the discourse that Vrihaspati, asked by Indra, delivered unto him.  Vrihaspati said, ’Contentment is the highest heaven, contentment is the highest bliss.  There is nothing higher than contentment.  Contentment stands as the highest.  When one draws away all his desires like a tortoise drawing in all it limbs, then the natural resplendence of his soul soon manifests itself.  When one does not fear any creature, nor any creature is frightened at one, when one conquers one’s desire and aversion, then is one said to behold one’s soul.  When one, indeed, in word and thought, seeks to injure nobody and cherishes no desire, one is said to attain to Brahma.  Thus, O son of Kunti, whatever religion is followed by creatures, they obtain corresponding fruits.  Awaken thyself by this consideration, O Bharata![67] Some praise Peacefulness, some praise Exertion; some there are that praise Contemplation; and some praise both Peacefulness and Exertion.[68] Some praise sacrifice; others, renunciation.  Some praise gifts; others, acceptance.  Some, abandoning everything, live in silent meditation.  Some praise sovereignty and the cherishing, of subjects, after slaving, cutting and piercing (foes).  Some are for passing their days in retirement.  Observing all this, the conclusion of the learned is that that religion which consists in not injuring any creature is worthy of the approbation of the righteous.  Abstention from injury, truthfulness of speech, justice, compassion, self-restraint, procreation (of offspring)