open or cut), but which nevertheless is capable of being destroyed by knowledge, one should live happily, without giving way to grief (for anything that happens), and with one’s doubts dispelled.  Know that they who mingle in the affairs of this world are as distressed in body and mind as persons ignorant of the art of swimming when they slip from the land and fall into a large and deep river.  The man of learning, however, being conversant with the truth, is never distressed, for he feels like one walking over solid land.  Indeed, he who apprehends his Soul to be such, viz., as presenting only the character of Chit which has knowledge alone for its indication, is never distressed.  Indeed, a person, by thus comprehending the origin and end of all creatures, and by thus apprehending their inequalities or distinctions, succeeds in attaining to high felicity.  This knowledge is the possession of a Brahmana in especial by virtue of his birth.  Knowledge of the Soul, and felicity like that which has been adverted to, are each fully sufficient to lead to emancipation.[1060] By acquiring such knowledge one really becomes learned.  What else is the indication of a person of knowledge?  Having acquired such knowledge, they that are wise among men regard themselves crowned with success and become emancipated.[1061] Those things that become sources of fear unto men destitute of knowledge do not become sources of fear unto those that are endued with knowledge.  There is no end higher than the eternal end which is obtained by a person possessed of knowledge.  One beholds with aversion all earthly objects of enjoyment which are, of course, fraught with faults of every kind.  Another, beholding others betake themselves with pleasure to such objects, is filled with sorrow.  As regards this matter, however, they that are conversant with both objects, behold, viz., that which is fictitious and that which is not so, never indulge in sorrow and are truly happy.[1062] That which a man does without expectation of fruits destroys his acts of a former life.  The acts, however, of such a person both of this and his previous life cannot lead to Emancipation.  On the other hand, such destruction of former acts and such acts of this life cannot lead to what is disagreeable (viz., hell), even if the man of wisdom engages in acts.’"[1063]

SECTION CCL

“Suka said, ’Let thy reverence tell me of that which is the foremost of all duties, indeed, of that duty above which no higher one exists in this world.’

“Vyasa said, ’I shall now tell thee of duties having a very ancient origin and laid down by the Rishis, duties that are distinguished above all others.  Listen to me with undivided attention.  The senses that are maddening should carefully be restrained by the understanding like a sire restraining his own inexperienced children liable to fall into diverse evil habits.  The withdrawal of the mind