Upon chastisement depend all
creatures. The learned, therefore, say that chastisement is the root of
everything. Upon chastisement rests the heaven that men desire, and upon
it rests this world also. Thither where foe-destroying chastisement is
well applied, no sin, no deception, and no wickedness, is to be seen. If
the rod of 'chastisement be not uplifted, the dog will lick the
sacrificial butter. The crow also would take away the first (sacrificial)
offering, if that rod were not kept uplifted. Righteously or
unrighteously, this kingdom hath now become ours. Our duty now is to
abandon grief. Do thou, therefore, enjoy it and perform sacrifices. Men
that are fortunate, living with their dear wives (and children), eat good
food, wear excellent clothes, and cheerfully acquire virtue. All our
acts, without doubt, are dependent on wealth; that wealth again is
dependent on chastisement. Behold, therefore, the importance of
chastisement. Duties have been declared for only the maintenance of the
relations of the world. There are two things here, viz., abstention from
injury and injury prompted by righteous motives. Of these, two, that is
superior by which righteousness may be acquired.[40] There is no act that
is wholly meritorious, nor any that is wholly wicked. Right or wrong, in
all acts, something of both is seen. Subjecting animals to castration,
their horns again are cut off. They are then made to bear weights, are
tethered, and chastised. In this world that is unsubstantial and rotten
with abuses and rendered painful, O monarch, do thou practise the ancient
customs of men, following the rules and analogies cited above.
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