Men
are affected by pleasure and pain that come by turns in course of Time.
There is no personal agency (in the matter of pleasure or pain to any
one). In this lies sorrow, viz., that he that dislikes sorrow regards
himself as the actor.[852] Amongst Rishis, gods, great Asuras, persons
fully conversant with the three Vedas, and ascetics in the forest, who is
there whom calamities do not approach? Those, however, that are
conversant with the Soul and that which is not-Soul never fear
calamities. The person of wisdom, naturally standing immovable like
Himavat, never gives way to wrath; never suffers himself to be attached
to the objects of the senses; never languishes in sorrow or rejoices in
happiness. When overwhelmed with even great afflictions, such a person
never gives way to grief. That person is a very superior one whom even
great success cannot gladden and even dire calamities cannot afflict, and
who bears pleasure and pain, and that which is between them both, with an
unmoved heart. Into whatever condition a person may fall, he should
summon cheerfulness without yielding to sorrow. Indeed, even thus should
one drive off from one's self one's swelling grief that is born in one's
mind and that is (if not dispelled) sure to give pain. That assembly of
learned persons engaged in the discussion of duties based upon both the
Srutis and the Smritis is not a good assembly,--indeed, that does not
deserve to be called by the name of assembly,--entering which a wicked
man does not become penetrated with fear (born of his wicked deeds).
Pages:
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966