By living amid the
righteous, one succeeds in acquiring pure righteousness. After the same
manner, one by living amid the sinful, becomes stained with sin.[1469] As
the touch of water or fire or the rays of the moon immediately conveys
the sensation of cold or heat, after the same manner the impressions of
virtue and vice become productive of happiness or misery. They that are
eaters of Vighasa eat without taking any notice of the flavours of the
edibles placed before them. They, however, that eat carefully
discriminating the flavours of the viands prepared for them, should be
known as persons still tied by the bonds of action.[1470] The righteous
man should leave that place where a Brahmana discourses on duties unto
disciples desirous of acquiring knowledge, as based on reasons, of the
Soul, but who do not enquire after such knowledge with reverence.[1471]
Who, however, will leave that spot where exists in its entirety that
behaviour between disciples and preceptors which is consistent with what
has been laid down in the scriptures? What learned man desirous of
respect being paid to himself will dwell in that place where people bruit
about the faults of the learned even when such have no foundation to
stand upon?[1472] Who is there that will not leave that place, like a
garment whose end has caught fire, where covetous men seek to break down
the barriers of virtue? One should remain and dwell in that place, among
good men of righteous disposition, where persons endued with humility are
engaged in fearlessly practising the duties of religion.
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