VI. 'sensual habits, by devout rites ordained in the Véda, CHAP. ' and by rigorous mortifications, men obtain, even in this life, the state of beatitude. 76. A mansion with bones for its rafters and beams; with nerves and tendons, for cords; with 'muscles and blood, for mortar; with skin, for its ' outward covering; filled with no sweet perfume, but loaded with feces and urine; 77. A mansion infested by age and by sorrow, the seat of malady, harassed with pains, haunted with the quality of darkness, and incapable of standing long; such a mansion of the vital soul let its occupier always cheerfully quit: 78. As a tree leaves the bank of a river, when it falls in, or as a bird leaves the branch of a tree at his pleasure, thus he, who leaves his body by neces sity or by legal choice, is delivered from the raven- 79. Letting his good acts descend (by the law of 80. When, having well considered the nature and consequence of sin, he becomes averse from all sen'sual delights, he then attains bliss in this world; bliss, which shall endure after death. 81. Thus having gradually abandoned all earthly attachments, and indifferent to all pairs of opposite CHAP. things, as honour and dishonour, and the like, he ' remains absorbed in the divine essence. VI. 82. All, that has now been declared, is obtained by pious meditation; but no man, who is ignorant of the Supreme Spirit, can gather the fruit of mere • ceremonial acts. 83. Let him constantly study that part of the Veda, which relates to sacrifice; that, which treats of subordinate deities; that, which reveals the nature of the Supreme GOD; and whatever is declared in the Upanishads. 84. This holy scripture is a sure refuge eyen for those, who understand not its meaning, and of course for those, who understand it; this Véda is a sure resource for those, who seek bliss above; this is a sure resource for those, who seek bliss eternal. 85. That Bráhmen, who becomes a Sannyásí by this discipline, announced in due order, shakes off sin here below, and reaches the Most High. 86. THIS general law has been revealed to you for anchorites with subdued minds: now learn the particular discipline of those who become recluses according to the Véda, that is, of anchorites in the 5 first of the four degrees. 87. The student, the married man, the hermit, and the anchorite, are the offspring, though in four orders, of married men keeping house ; 88. And all, or even any, of those orders, assumed VI. ' in their turn, according to the sacred ordinances, CHAP. lead the Bráhmen, who acts by the preceding rules, 'to the highest mansion: 89. But of all those, the house-keeper, observing ⚫ the regulations of the Sruti and Smriti, may be called the chief; since he supports the three other ' orders. 90. As all rivers, female and male, run to their ' determined place in the sea, thus men of all other orders, repair to their fixed place in the mansion of the house-keeper. 91. By Bráhmens, placed in these four orders, a 'ten-fold system of duties must ever be sedulously • practised: 92. Content, returning good for evil, resistance to 'sensual appetites, abstinence from illicit gain, purification, coercion of the organs, knowledge of scripture, knowledge of the Supreme Spirit, veracity, ' and freedom from wrath, form their tenfold system ' of duties. 93. Such Bráhmens, as attentively read the ten precepts of duty, and after reading, carefully prac'tise them, attain the most exalted condition. 94. A Bráhmen having practised, with organs under 'command, this ten-fold system of duty, having heard the Upanishads explained, as the law directs, and 'who has discharged his three debts, may become an anchorite, 2 B CHAP. VI. ' anchorite, in the house of his son, according to the • Véda; 95. And, having abandoned all ceremonial acts, having expiated all his offences, having obtained a 'command over his organs, and having perfectly ' understood the scripture, he may live at his ease, ' while the household affairs are conducted by his 6 son. 96. When he thus has relinquished all forms, is 'intent on his own occupation, and free from every ' other desire, when, by devoting himself to GOD, he has effaced sin, he then attains the supreme path of glory. 6 97. THIS four-fold regulation for the sacerdotal class, has thus been made known to you; a just regulation, producing endless fruit after death: next, 'learn the duty of kings, or the military class. CHAP. CHAP. VII. On Government, and Publick Law; or on the Military Class. VII. 1. I WILL fully declare the duty of kings; and show CHAP. how a ruler of men should conduct himself, in what manner he was framed, and how his ultimate re'ward may be attained by him. 2. By a man of the military class, who has received in due form the investiture which the Véda prescribes, great care must be used to maintain the whole assemblage of laws. 3. Since, if the world had no king, it would quake on all sides through fear, the ruler of this universe, therefore, created a king, for the maintenance of this system, both religious and civil, 4. Forming him of eternal particles drawn from the 'substance of INDRA, PAVANA, YAMA, SURYA, of AGNI and VARUNA, of CHANDRA and CUVE'RA: 5. And since a king was composed of particles drawn 'from those chief guardian deities, he consequently sur" passes all mortals in glory. 6. Like the sun, he burns eyes and hearts; nor 6 can any human creature on earth even gaze on him. 7. He is fire and air; he, both sun and moon; he, 'the god of criminal justice; he, the genius of wealth; 2 B 2 • he, |