have no friends nor are they the friends of others.  They have no foes nor are they the foes of other creatures.  Indeed, men that can live in this way can pass their days for ever in happiness.  O best of regenerate ones, they who acquire a knowledge of the rules of morality and righteousness, and who observe those rules in practice, succeed in winning joy, while they who fall off from the path of righteousness are afflicted by anxieties and sorrow.  I have now betaken myself to the path of righteousness.  Decried by others, why shall I get annoyed with them, or praised by others, why shall I be pleased?  Let men obtain whatsoever objects they please from whatsoever pursuits in which they engage themselves. (I am indifferent to acquisitions and losses).  Praise and blame are unable to contribute to my advancement or the reverse.  He that has understood the truths of things becomes gratified with even disregard as if it were ambrosia.  The man of wisdom is truly annoyed with regard as if it were poison.  He who is freed from all faults sleeps fearlessly both here and hereafter even if insulted by others.  On the other hand, he who insults him, suffers destruction.  Those men of wisdom who seek to attain to the highest end, succeed in obtaining it by observing conduct such as this.  The man who has vanquished all his senses is regarded to have performed all the sacrifices.  Such a person attains to the highest rung, viz., that of Brahma, which is eternal and which transcends the reach of primordial nature.  The very gods, the Gandharvas, the Pisachas, and the Rakshasas, cannot reach the rung which is his who has attained to the highest end.’”

SECTION CCXXX

“Yudhishthira said, ’What man is there who is dear to all, who gladdens all persons, and who is endued with every merit and every accomplishment?’

“Bhishma said, ’In this connection I shall recite to thee the words that Kesava, asked by Ugrasena, said unto him on a former occasion.’

“Ugrasena said, ’All persons seem to be very solicitous of speaking of the merits of Narada.  I think that celestial Rishi, must really be possessed of every kind of merit.  I ask thee, tell me this, O Kesava!’

“Vasudeva said, ’O chief of the Kukkuras, listen to me as I mention in brief those good qualities of Narada with which I am acquainted, O king!  Narada is as learned in the scriptures as he is good and pious in his conduct.  And yet, on account of his conduct, he never cherishes pride that makes one’s blood so hot.  It is for this reason that he is worshipped everywhere.  Discontent, wrath, levity, and fear, these do not exist in Narada.  He is free from procrastination, and possessed of courage.  For this he is worshipped everywhere.  Narada deserves the respectful worship of all.  He never falls back from his words through desire or cupidity.  For this he is worshipped everywhere.  He is fully conversant with the principles that lead