and wisdom, is not consistent with those blessings which thy sire Pandu or thy mother Kunti used to solicit for thee.  Thy sire always solicited for thee courage, might, and truth.  Kunti always solicited for thee high-mindedness and liberality.  The offerings with Swaha and Swadha in Sraddhas and sacrifices are always asked from children by the Pitris and the deities.  Whether gifts and study and sacrifices and the protection of subjects be meritorious or sinful, thou hast been born to practise and perform them.  The fame, O son of Kunti, is never tarnished of men that even fail in bearing the burdens which are placed on them and unto which they are yoked in life.  Even a horse, if properly trained, succeeds in bearing, without falling down, a burden.  (What need then be said of thee that art a human being?) One incurs no censure if only one’s acts and words be proper, for success is said to depend upon acts (and words).  No person, be he a man virtuously following the domestic mode of life, or be he a king, or be he a Brahmacharin, has ever succeeded in conducting himself without tripping.  It is better to do an act which is good and in which there is small merit than to totally abstain from all acts, for total abstention from acts is very sinful.  When a high-born and righteous person succeeds in obtaining affluence, the king then succeeds in obtaining prosperity in all his affairs.  A virtuous king, having obtained a kingdom, should seek to subdue some by gifts, some by force, and some by sweet words.  There is no one more virtuous than he upon whom high-born and learned persons rely from fear of losing their means of sustenance and depending upon whom they live in contentment.

“Yudhishthira said, ’What acts, O sire, are conductive to heaven?  What is the nature of the great felicity that is derived from them?  What also is the high prosperity that may be obtained thence?  Tell me all this, if thou knowest.,

“Bhishma said, ’That man from whom a person afflicted with fear obtains relief even for a moment, is the most worthy of heaven amongst us.  This that I tell thee is very true.  Be thou cheerfully the king of the Kurus, O foremost one of Kuru’s race, acquire heaven, protect the good and slay the wicked.  Let thy friends, together with all honest men, derive their support from thee, like all creatures from the deity of the clouds and like birds from a large tree with delicious fruits.  Men seek the protection of that person who is dignified, courageous, capable of smiting, compassionate, with senses under control, affectionate towards all, and equitable, and just.’”

SECTION LXXVI

“Yudhishthira said, ’O grandsire, amongst Brahmanas some are engaged in the duties proper to their order, while others are engaged in other duties.  Tell me the difference between these two classes!’