“Vaisampayana continued, ’After Arjuna had ceased, the two sons of Madri, viz., Nakula and Sahadeva, said these words of high import.’

“Nakula and Sahadeva said, ’Sitting or lying, walking and standing, one should strive after the acquisition of Wealth even by the most vigorous of means.  If Wealth, which is difficult of acquisition and highly agreeable, be earned, the person that has earned it, without doubt, is seen to obtain all the objects of Desire.  That Wealth which is connected with Virtue, as also that Virtue which is connected with Wealth, is certainly like nectar.[484] For this reason, our opinions are as follows.  A person without wealth cannot gratify any desire; similarly, there can be no Wealth in one that is destitute of Virtue.  He, therefore, who is outside the pale of both Virtue and Wealth, is an object of fear unto the world.  For this reason, one should seek the acquisition of Wealth with a devoted mind, without disregarding the requirements of Virtue.  They who believe in (the wisdom of) this saying succeed in acquiring whatever they desire.  One should first practise Virtue; next acquire Wealth without sacrificing Virtue; and then seek the gratification of Desire, for this should be the last act of one who has been successful in acquiring Wealth.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’The twin sons of the Aswins, after having said these words, remained silent.  Then Bhimasena began to say the following.’

“Bhimasena said, ’One without Desire never wishes for Wealth.  One without Desire never wishes for Virtue.  One who is destitute of Desire can never feel any wish.  For this reason, Desire is the foremost of all the three.  It is under the influence of Desire that the very Rishis devote themselves to penances subsisting upon fruits, of living upon roots or air only.  Others possessed of Vedic lore are engaged upon the Vedas and their branches or upon rites of faith and sacrificial acts, or upon making gifts or accepting them.  Traders, agriculturists, keepers of cattle, artists and artisans, and those who are employed in rites of propitiation, all act from Desire.  Some there are that dive unto the depths of the ocean, induced by Desire.  Desire, indeed, takes various forms.  Everything is pervaded by the principle of Desire.  A man outside the pale of Desire never is, was, or will be, seen in this world.  This, O king, is the truth.  Both Virtue and Wealth are based upon Desire.  As butter represents the essence of curds, even so is Desire the essence of Profit and Virtue.  Oil is better than oil-seeds.  Ghee is better than sour milk.  Flowers and fruits are better than wood.  Similarly, Desire is better than Virtue and Profit.  As honeyed juice is extracted from flowers, so is Desire said to be extracted from these two.  Desire is the parent of Virtue and Profit.  Desire is the soul of these two.  Without Desire the Brahmanas would never give either sweets or wealth unto Brahmanas.  Without Desire the diverse kinds of action that are