Mokshadharma Parva — The same subject

Bhrigu said Hermits in order to acquire virtuc, sojourn to sacred waters and rivers and springs, and practises penances in solitary and secluded forest abounding with deer, buffalocs, boars, tigers and wild elephants. They forsake all sorts of raiments and food and enjoyments which people in society like. The live abstemiously upon wild herbs, fruits, roots and leaves of various kinds. The naked Earth is their seat. They lie down on the bare earth or rocks or pebbles or gravel or sand or ashes. They are clad in grass and animal skins and barks of tree. They never shave their heads and beards or pare their nails. They perform their ablutions at regular times. They pour unfailingly libations on the ground, and on the sacred fire at the proper time. They enjoy no rest till they have swept and cleansed (their sacrificial alters). They bear without any concern cold and heat and rain and rind, and, therefore, the skin of their bodies is cracked all over and for performing various kinds of rites vows and acts, their flesh, blood, skin and bones become greatly reduced. Gifted with great patience and calmness, they live, always practising the quality of Goodness.

That person who, with controlled soul, follows such duties originally laid down by regenerate Rishis, consumes all his sins like fire and acquires blissful regions for themselves which are so difficult of attaining.

I shall now describe the conduct of the Parivrajakas, which is as follows : alienating themselves from attachment to the sacred fire, wealth, wife and children, and robes, seats, beds, and such other objects of enjoyment, and snapping the fetters of affection, they walk about, regarding with an equal eye a clump of earth or rock and gold. They never think of acquiring or enjoying the threefold objects of life. They regard impartially foes and friends and neutrals or strangers. They never injure, in thought, word, or deed, immobile objects, or creatures that are viviparous, or oviparous, or born of fifth, or called vegetables. They have no homes. They road over hills and mountains, upon shores of rivers or oceans, under shades of trees, and among temples of gods, They may go to towns or villages for living. In one town, however, they should not live for more than five nights, while in the same village they should not live for more than one night. Entering a town or a village, they should , for maintaining their life, go to the houses of liberal Brahmanas only. They should never ask for any alms but accept what is put into the bowls they carry. They should free themselves from lust, anger, pride, cupidity, delusion, miserliness, deceit, slander, vanity, and injury to creatures.

There are some verses on this subject-that person who, observing the vow of silence roams without giving any creature cause of fear, is never filled with any fear himself by any creature.

That learned person who performs the Agnihotra with the help of the fire that is in his own body, who pours libations into his own body,-acquires endless blissful regions on account of that fire having been fed with such libations acquired by a life of mendicancy.

That twice-born person who observes in the aforesaid way this mode of life having Liberation for its end, with a pure heart and understanding, attains to Brahma after the manner of tranquil ray of light that is not fed by any burning fuel.

Bharadwaja said Beyond this region there is a region of which we have heard but never seen. I wish to know all about it. You should describe it to me.

Bhrigu said Towards the north on the other a side of Himvat, which is sacred and full of merit, there is a sacred, blessed, and highly desirable region. That is called the other world.

The men who dwell in that region are righteous in act, pious, of pure hearts, freed from cupidity and errors of judgement, and not subject to iniseries of any sort.

That region is, equal to heaven, possessed of excellent attributes. Death comes there at the proper time. Diseases never attack the inhabitants.

Nobody looks for the wives of other people. Every one is devoted to his own wife. These people do not assail or kill one another, or covet one another's things. There is no sin or doubt.

There the fruits of all sacred rites are visible. There some enjoy seats and best sorts of drinks and food, and live within palaces and mansions.

There some, bedecked with ornaments of gold, surround themselves every article of enjoyment. There are again, some that eat very sparingly for only keeping body and soul together.

There some, with great exertion, try to suppress the vital airs. Here some men and devoted to righteousness, and some addicted to deceit. Some are happy and some wretched; some are poor and some, rich.

Here are to be found exhaustion, and fear, and delusion and painful hunger. here cupidity for wealth is also seen, a passion that stupefies even the learned.

Here various opinions are advanced by those who do virtuous or sinful deeds. That wise man who knows all those opinions which may be divided into two sorts, is never sullied by sin.

Deceit with fraud, theft, slander malice, oppression, injury, treachery, and untruth, are vices which destroy the merit of one's penances. A learned man however, who avoids them, find the merit of his penances multiplied.

Here there is much thought about fair and sinful acts. This region where we live is the field of action. One reaps the fruits of his actions, according to thelife he has led.

Here, in days of yore, the very Creator and all the gods having performed proper penances, with the Rishis became cleansed and attained to Brahma.

The northern port of the Earth is highly auspicious and sacred. People of our region who perform fair deeds or show regard for Yoga, are born in that region. Others are born in the intermediate species. Some again, when their lease of life run out, become lost on Earth.

Engaged in feeding upon one another and sullied by cupidity and delusion, these men return to this very region without being able to go to that northern region.

Those wise men who with vows and observing Brahmacharya listen with reverence to the instructions of preceptors, can learn the ends reserved for all classes of men.

I have now described to you briefly the duties laid down by Brahman. He, indeed, in an intelligent men who knows what is righteousness and its opposite in this world.

Bhishma said Thus, O king, did Bhrigu speak the highly energetic Bharadwaja. Of highly virtuous soul the latter became filled with wonder and adored the great sage with veneration.

Thus, O king, the origin of the universe has been described fully to you. What, O you of great wisdom, do you wish to hear after this.'