incurs great danger, and ultimately the risk of destruction itself.  Overtaken by infamy and insult, he has to drag on a miserable existence.  A life of infamy, however, is equal to death.  Men learned in the scriptures have indicated the following means for checking sin.  The king should always devote himself to the study of the three Vedas.  He should respect the Brahmanas and do good offices unto them.  He should be devoted to righteousness.  He should make alliance (of marriage) with high families.  He should wait upon high-minded Brahmanas adorned with the virtue of forgiveness.  He should perform ablutions and recite sacred mantras and thus pass his time happily.  Banishing all wicked subjects from himself and his kingdom, he should seek the companionship of virtuous men.  He should gratify all persons by speeches or good acts.  He should say unto all—­’I am yours,’—­proclaim the virtues of even his foes.  By pursuing such conduct he may soon cleanse himself of his sins and win the high regard of all.  Without doubt, by conduct such as this all his sins will be destroyed.  Thou shouldst accomplish all those high duties which thy seniors and preceptors would indicate.  Thou art sure to obtain great blessing through the grace of thy seniors and preceptors.’”

SECTION CXXIV

“Yudhishthira said, ’All persons on earth, O foremost of men, applaud virtuous behaviour.  I have, however, great doubts with respect to this object of their praise.  If the topic be capable of being understood by us, O foremost of virtuous men, I desire to hear everything about the way in which virtuous behaviour can be acquired.  How indeed, is that behaviour acquired, O Bharata!  I desire to hear it.  Tell me also, O foremost of speakers, what has been said to be the characteristics of that behaviour.’

“Bhishma said, Formerly, O giver of honours, Duryodhana while burning with grief at sight of that well-known prosperity belonging to thee and thy brothers at Indraprastha and for the jeers he received in consequence of his mistakes at the grand mansion, had asked his father Dhritarashtra the same question.  Listen to what transpired on that occasion, O Bharata!  Having seen that grand mansion of thine and that high prosperity of which thou wert master, Duryodhana, while sitting before his father, spake of what he had seen to the latter.  Having heard the words of Duryodhana, Dhritarashtra, addressing his son and Karna, replied unto him as follows.

Dhritarashtra said, ’Why dost thou grieve, O son!  I desire to hear the cause in detail.  If after ascertaining the reason they appear to be adequate, I shall then endeavour to instruct thee.  O subjugator of hostile towns, thou too hast obtained great affluence.  All thy brothers are ever obedient to thee, as also all thy friends and relatives.  Thou coverest thy limbs with the best robes.  Thou eatest the richest food.[378] Steeds of the best kind bear thee.  Why then hast thou become pale and emaciated?’