If
righteousness and Power be associated with Truth, they can then rescue
men from great perils. If, however, the two be compared, Power will
appear to be superior to Righteousness. It is from Power that
Righteousness springs. Righteousness rests upon Power as all immobile
things upon the earth. As smoke depends upon the wind (for its motion),
even so Righteousness depends upon Power. Righteousness which is the
weaker of the two depends for its support upon a tree. Righteousness is
dependent on them that are powerful even as pleasure is dependent upon
them that are given to enjoyment. There is nothing that powerful men
cannot do. Everything is pure with them that are powerful. A powerless
man, by committing evil acts can never escape. Men feel alarmed at his
conduct even as they are alarmed at the appearance of a wolf. One fallen
away from a state of affluence leads a life of humiliation and sorrow. A
life of humiliation and reproach is like death itself The learned have
said that when in consequence of one's sinful conduct one is cast off by
friends and companions, one is pierced repeatedly by the wordy darts of
others and one has to burn with grief on that account. Professors of
scriptures have said with respect to the expiation of sinfulness that one
should (if stained with sinfulness) study the three Vedas, wait upon and
worship the Brahmanas, gratify all men by looks, words, and acts, cast
off all meanness, marry in high families, proclaim the praises of others
while confessing one's own worthlessness, recite mantras, perform the
usual water-rites, assume a mildness of behaviour, and abstain from
speaking much, and perform austere penances, seek the refuge of Brahmanas
and Kshatriyas.
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