Chapter 92

“Ashtaka asked, ‘Who amongst these, O king, both exerting constantly likethe Sun and the Moon, first attaineth to communion with Brahma, theascetic or the man of knowledge?’

“Yayati answered, ‘The wise, with the help of the Vedas and of Knowledge,having ascertained the visible universe to be illusory, instantlyrealises the Supreme Spirit as the sole existent independent essence.While they that devote themselves to Yoga meditation take time to acquirethe same knowledge, for it is by practice alone that these latter divestthemselves of the consciousness of quality. Hence the wise attain tosalvation first. Then again if the person devoted to Yoga find notsufficient time in one life to attain success, being led astray by theattractions of the world, in his next life he is benefited by theprogress already achieved, for he devoteth himself regretfully to thepursuit of success. But the man of knowledge ever beholdeth theindestructible unity, and, is, therefore, though steeped in worldlyenjoyments, never affected by them at heart. Therefore, there is nothingto impede his salvation. He, however, who faileth to attain to knowledge,should yet devote himself to piety as dependent on action (sacrifices&c.). But he that devoteth himself to such piety, moved thereto by desireof salvation, can never achieve success. His sacrifices bear no fruit andpartake of the nature of cruelty. Piety which is dependent on action thatproceedeth not from the desire of fruit, is, in case of such men Yogaitself.’

“Ashtaka said, ‘O king, thou lookest like a young man; thou art handsomeand decked with a celestial garland. Thy splendour is great! Whence dostthou come and where dost thou go? Whose messenger art thou? Art thougoing down into the Earth?’

“Yayati said, ‘Fallen from heaven upon the loss of all my religiousmerits, I am doomed to enter the Earth-hell. Indeed, I shall go thereafter I have finished my discourse with you. Even now the regents of thepoints of the universe command me to hasten thither. And, O king, I haveobtained it as a boon from Indra that though fall I must upon the earth,yet I should fall amidst the wise and the virtuous. Ye are all wise andvirtuous that are assembled here.’

“Ashtaka said, ‘Thou art acquainted with everything. I ask thee, O king,are there any regions for myself to enjoy in heaven or in the firmament?If there be, then, thou shalt not fall, though falling.’

“Yayati answered, ‘O king, there are as many regions for thee to enjoy inheaven even as the number of kine and horses on Earth with the animals inthe wilderness and on the hills.’

“Ashtaka said, ‘If there are worlds for me to enjoy, as fruits of myreligious merits, in heaven, O king, I give them all unto thee.Therefore, though falling, thou shalt not fall. O, take thou soon allthose, wherever they be, in heaven or in the firmament. Let thy sorrowcease.’

“Yayati answered, ‘O best of kings, a Brahma-knowing Brahmana alone cantake in gift, but not one like ourselves. And, O monarch, I myself havegiven away to Brahmanas as one should. Let no man who, is not a Brahmanaand let not the wife of a learned Brahmana ever live in infamy byaccepting gifts. While on earth, I ever desired to perform virtuous acts.Having never done so before, how shall I now accept a gift?’

“Pratardana who was amongst them asked, ‘O thou of the handsomest form, Iam Pratardana by name. I ask thee if there are any worlds for me to enjoyas fruits of my religious merits, in heaven or the firmament? Answer me,thou art acquainted with everything.’

“Yayati said, ‘O king, numberless worlds, full of felicity, effulgentlike the solar disc, and where woe can never dwell, await thee. If thoudwellest in each but for seven days, they would not yet be exhausted.’

“Pratardana said, ‘These then I give unto thee. Therefore, thoughfalling, thou must not fall. Let the worlds that are mine be thine,whether they be in the firmament or heaven. O, soon take them. Let thywoes cease.’

“Yayati answered, ‘O monarch, no king of equal energy should ever desireto receive as gift the religious merits of another king acquired by Yogaausterities. And no king who is afflicted with calamity through the fatesshould, if wise, act in a censurable way. A king keeping his eye fixedfor ever on virtue should walk along the path of virtue like myself and,knowing what his duties are, should not act so meanly as thou directest.When others desirous of acquiring religious merits do not accept gifts,how can I do what they themselves do not? On the conclusion of thisspeech, that best of kings, Yayati, was then addressed by Vasumat in thefollowing words.'”