Chapter 13

“Yudhishthira said, ‘What should a man do in order to pass pleasantlythrough this and the other world. How, indeed, should one conductoneself? What practices should one adopt with this end in view?’

“Bhishma said, ‘One should avoid the three acts that are done with thebody, the four that are done with speech, the three that are done withthe mind, and the ten paths of action. The three acts that are done withthe body and should be wholly avoided are the destruction of the lives ofother creatures, theft or appropriation of what belongs to other persons,and the enjoyment of other people’s wives. The four acts that are donewith speech, O king, and that should never be indulged in or even thoughtof, are evil conversation, harsh words, publishing other people’s faults,and falsehood. Coveting the possessions of others, doing injury toothers, and disbelief in the ordinances of the Vedas, are the three actsdone with the mind which should always be avoided.[31] Hence, one shouldnever do any evil act in word, body, or mind. By doing good and evilacts, one is sure to enjoy or endure the just consequences thereof.Nothing can be more certain than this.'”