[657] Snakes, sharp-pointed kusa blades, and pits, men avoid
when they perceive them lie on their way. If some tread upon or fall into
them, they do so through ignorance. Behold the superiority of the fruits
of knowledge (over those of ignorance). Mantras applied duly, sacrifices,
the presents called Dakshina, gift of food, and concentration of the mind
(for divine contemplation),--these are the five acts that are said to be
productive of fruits, there being none else. Acts have (the three)
attributes (of Sattwa, Rajas, and Tamas) for their soul. The Vedas say
this. (The Vedas consist of Mantras). The Mantras, therefore, have the
same three attributes, since it is with Mantras that acts are to be
accomplished. The ritual also must be liable to the same three
attributes. The fruits of action depend upon the mind. It is the embodied
creature that enjoys those fruits.[658] All excellent kinds of sound,
form, taste, touch, and scent, are the fruits of acts, being attainable
in the region of acts (i.e., heaven). As regards, however, the fruits of
knowledge, man acquires them even here before death.[659] Whatever acts
are accomplished by means of the body, one enjoys the fruits thereof in a
state of physical existence. The body is, indeed, the framework to which
happiness inheres, as also the framework to which misery inheres.[660]
Whatever acts are accomplished by means of words, their fruits are to be
enjoyed in a state in which words can be spoken.
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