Those men who meet
with death within their houses should have the rites of cremation
performed upon their persons. Their bodies should be taken to the
crematorium on vehicles and there they should be burnt according to the
rites of purification that have been laid down in the scriptures.
Religious rites, beneficial ceremonies, the performance of sacrifices,
officiation at the sacrifices of others, gifts, the doing of other
meritorious acts, the performance, according to the best of one's power,
of all that has been ordained in the case of one's deceased
ancestors,--all these one does for benefiting one's own self. The Vedas
with their six branches, and the other scriptures, O king, have been
created for the good of him who is of stainless acts.'
"Bhishma continued, 'All this was said by that high-souled sage unto the
ruler of the Videhas, O king, in days of old for his benefit.'"
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"Bhishma said, 'Once again Janaka, the ruler of Mithila, questioned the
high-souled Parasara endued with certain knowledge in respect of all
duties.'
"Janaka said, 'What is productive of good? What is the best path (for
living creatures)? What is that which being accomplished is never
destroyed? What is that spot repairing whither one has not to come back?
Tell me all this, O thou of high intelligence!'
"Parasara said, 'Dissociation (from attachments) is the root of what is
good.[1558] Knowledge is the highest path. Penances practised are never
destroyed, Gifts also, made to deserving persons, are not lost.
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