'[990]
"Vyasa said, 'The course of conduct that was first established by Brahma
himself was duly observed by the wise and pious persons of old, viz., the
great Rishis of ancient times. The great Rishis conquer all the worlds by
the practice of Brahmacharya. Seeking all things that are good for
himself by fixing the mind on the knowledge,[991] practising severe
austerities by residing in the forest and subsisting on fruits and roots,
by treading on sacred spots, by practising universal benevolence, and by
going on his rounds of mendicancy at the proper time to the huts of
forest recluses when these become smokeless and the sound of the husking
rod is hushed, a person succeeds in attaining to Brahma.[992] Abstaining
from flattery and from bowing thy heads to others, and avoiding both good
and evil, live thou in the forest by thyself, appeasing hunger by any
means that comes by the way.'
"Suka said, 'The declarations of the Vedas (already referred to in
respect of acts) are, in the opinion of the vulgar, contradictory.
Whether this is authoritative or that is so, when there is this conflict,
how can they be said to be scriptural?[993] I desire to hear this: how
can both be regarded as authoritative? How, indeed, can Emancipation be
obtained without violating the ordinance about the obligatory character
of acts?'
"Bhishma continued, 'Thus addressed, the son of Gandhavati, viz., the
Rishi, applauding these words of his son possessed of immeasurable
energy, replied unto him, saying the following.
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