from the other.[443] That which is ill-judged produces misery in abundance.  That on the other hand, which is accomplished with the aid of sound judgment leads to excellent results.[444] Sacrifice, gift, compassions, the Vedas, and truth, O lord of the earth—­these five—­are cleansing.  The sixth is penance well-performed.  This last, O Janamejaya, is highly cleansing for kings.  By betaking thyself to it properly, thou art certain to earn great merit and blessedness.  Visiting sacred spots has also been said to be highly cleansing.  In this connection are cited the following verses sung by Yayati:  ’That mortal who would earn life and longevity should, after having performed sacrifices with devotion, renounce them (in old age) and practise penances.’  The field of Kuru has been said to be sacred.  The river Saraswati has been said to be more so.  The tirthas of the Saraswati are more sacred than the Saraswati herself; and the tirtha called Prithudaka is more sacred than all the tirthas of the Saraswati.  One that has bathed in Prithudaka. and drunk its waters will not have to grieve for a premature death.  Thou shouldst go to Mahasaras, to all the tirthas designated by the name of Pushkara, to Prabhasa, to the northern lake Manasa, and to Kalodaka.  Thou shalt then regain life and acquire longevity.  Lake Manasa is on the spot where the Saraswati and the Drisadwati mingle with each other.  A person possessed of Vedic knowledge should bathe in these places.  Manu has said that liberality is the best of all duties and that renunciation is better than liberality.  In this connection is cited the following verse composed by Satyavat. (One should act) as a child full of simplicity and destitute of either merit or sin.  As regards all creatures there is in this would neither misery nor happiness. (That which is called misery and that which is called happiness are the results of a distraught imagination.) Even this is the true nature of all living creatures.  Of all creatures, their lives are superior who have betaken themselves to renunciation and abstained from acts both meritorious and sinful.  I shall now tell thee those acts which are best for a king.  By putting forth thy might and liberality do thou conquer heaven, O king!  That man who possesses the attributes of might and energy succeeds in attaining to righteousness.[445] Do thou rule the earth, O king, for the sake of the Brahmanas and for the sake of happiness.  Thou usedst formerly to condemn the Brahmanas.  Do thou gratify them now.  Though they have cried fie on thee and though they have deserted thee, do thou still, guided by knowledge of self, solemnly pledge thyself never to injure them.  Engaged in acts proper for thee, seek what is for thy highest good.  Amongst rulers some one becomes as cool as snow; some one, as fierce as fire; some one becomes like a plough (uprooting all enemies); and some one, again, becomes like a thunder-bolt (suddenly scorching his foes).  He who wishes to prevent self-destruction