Those Brahmanas whom Brahmana created at the outset,
succeeded through their penances in honouring not the Earth alone but the
heaven also in which they roved at pleasure. In this world of mortals,
they that are kings, and those others that are householders born in high
families, have all become what they are only in consequence of their
penances.[1534] The silken robes they wear, the excellent ornaments that
adorn their persons, the animals and vehicles they ride, and the seats
they use are all the result of their penances. The many charming and
beautiful women, numbering by thousands, that they enjoy, and their
residence in palatial mansions, are all due to their penances. Costly
beds and diverse kinds of delicious viands become theirs that act
righteously. There is nothing in the three worlds, O scorcher of foes,
that penances cannot attain. Even those that are destitute of true
knowledge win Renunciation as the consequence of their penances.[1535]
Whether in affluent circumstances or miserable, a person should cast off
cupidity, reflecting on the scriptures, with the aid of his Mind and
understanding, O best of kings. Discontent is productive of misery.
(Discontent is the result of cupidity). Cupidity leadeth to the
stupefaction of the senses. The senses being stupefied, one's wisdom
disappears like knowledge not kept up by continued application. When
one's wisdom disappears, one fails to discriminate what is proper from
what is improper. Hence, when one's happiness is destroyed (and one
becomes subject to misery) one should practise the austerest of
penances.
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