People keep their senses under control
for taking care of their virtue and heaven. In respect of such control
over the senses as also in the acquisition of virtue, there is no penance
higher than abstention from food. The Rishis, the gods, human beings,
beasts, birds, and whatever other creatures there are, mobile or
immobile, are all devoted to penances, and whatever success they win is
won through penance. Thus it was through penance that the gods acquired
their superiority These (luminaries in the firmament) that have got their
shares of felicity, are always the results of penance. Without doubt,
through penance the very status of godhead may be acquired.'"
SECTION CLXII
"Yudhishthira said, 'Brahmanas and Rishis and Pitris and the gods all
applaud the duty of truth. I desire to hear of truth. Discourse to me
upon it, O grandsire! What are the indications, O king, of truth? How may
it be acquired? What is gained by practising truth, and how? Tell me all
this.'
"Bhishma said, 'A confusion of the duties of the four orders is never
applauded. That which is called Truth always exists in a pure and
unmingled state in every one of those four orders. With those that are
good, Truth is always a duty. Indeed, Truth is an eternal duty. One
should reverentially bow unto Truth. Truth is the highest refuge (of
all). Truth is duty; Truth is penance; Truth is Yoga; and Truth is the
eternal Brahma. Truth has been said to be Sacrifice of a high order.
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