These doctrines are exceedingly difficult of comprehension. It is for
this reason that I ask thee (about them). The sages of olden days were
not followers of those doctrines of Yoga. Hence, the sages that have
succeeded them have not propounded them (for general acceptance).[1183]
If thou sayest that only men of brutish minds fail to achieve sacrifices
in the soil of the Soul, then, O son of a trader, by what acts would they
succeed in accomplishing their happiness? Tell me this, O thou of great
wisdom! Great is my faith in thy words.'[1184]
"Tuladhara said, 'Sometimes sacrifices performed by some persons do not
become sacrifices (in consequence of the absence of faith of those that
perform them). These men, it should be said, are not worthy of performing
any sacrifice (internal or external). As regards the faithful, however,
only one thing, viz., the cow, is fit for upholding all sacrifices by
means of full libations of clarified butter, milk, and curds, the hair at
end of her tail, her horns, and her hoofs.[1185] (The Vedas declare that
sacrifices cannot be performed by an unmarried man). In performing
sacrifices, however, according to the mode I have pointed out (viz., by
abstaining from slaughter of animals and dedicating only clarified
butter, etc.), one may make Faith one's wedded wife, for dedicating such
(innocent) offerings to the deities. By duly reverencing such sacrifices,
one is sure to attain to Brahma.[1186] To the exclusion of all animals
(which are certainly unclean as offering in sacrifices), the rice-ball is
a worthy offering in sacrifices.
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