The
scriptures do not say that truth should be sacrificed in view of what is
beneficial, for such view will militate with the saying that there is
nothing higher than truth. The saying has reference to those exceptional
instances where truth becomes a source of positive harm. The story of the
Rishi who spoke the truth respecting the place where certain travellers
lay concealed, when questioned by certain robbers who were for killing
the travellers, is an instance to the point. The goldsmith's son who died
with a falsehood on his lips for allowing his lawful prince to escape
from the hands of his pursuers did a meritorious act of loyalty. Then,
again, the germ of the utilitarian theory may be detected in the second
line of this verse.
1759. To conquer the unconquerable means to attain to Brahma.
1760. In the Srutis, Paravara is an equivalent for the Supreme Soul. The
correct reading is nasyati at the end of the first line, and not pasyati
as in some of the Bengal texts. Adhering to pasyati (which gives no
meaning), the Burdwan translator gives a ridiculous and unmeaning version
of this verse, K. P. Singha, of course, adopts the correct reading.
1761. This verse is not at all difficult. The sense is that the man who
transcends all attachments never comes to grief if brought into union
with other creatures. The Burdwan translator gives a thoroughly unmeaning
version of this couplet.
1762. The object of this verse is to show that men of knowledge do not
perform sacrifices, in which, as a matter of course, a large number of
creatures is slain.
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