Chapter 178
“Bhishma continued, ‘In this connection is also cited the old narrativeof the verses sung by Janaka the ruler of the Videhas, who had attainedto tranquillity of soul. What the monarch said was, ‘Unlimited is mywealth. At the same time I have nothing, if the whole of (my kingdom)Mithila be consumed in a conflagration, I shall incur no loss.’ In theconnection is also cited the speech of Vodhya uttered in respect of thisvery topic, viz., freedom from attachments. Listen to it O Yudhishthira!Once on a time the royal son of Nahusha (Yayati) questioned the RishiVodhya who had, in consequence of the abandonment of desire, attained totranquillity of soul and who had an intimate acquaintance with thescriptures. The monarch said, ‘O thou of great wisdom, give meinstructions about tranquillity. What is that under standing relying uponwhich thou succeedest in wandering over the world in tranquillity of souland disengaged from all acts?’
“Vodhya said, ‘I conduct myself according to the instructions of othersbut never instruct others myself. I shall, however, mention theindications of those instructions (according to which my conduct isframed). Thou mayst catch their spirit by reflection. My six preceptorsare Pingala, the osprey, the snake, the bee in the forest, the maker ofshafts (in the story), and the maiden (in the story)!'[533]
“Bhishma continued, ‘Hope is very powerful (in agitating the heart), OKing! Freedom from hope is high felicity. Reducing hope to an absence ofexpectation, Pingala sleeps in peace.[534] Beholding an osprey with meatin his beaks, others, that have not found any meat, assail and destroyhim. A certain osprey, by altogether abstaining from meat obtainedfelicity. To build a house for one’s own self is productive of sorrow andnot of happiness. The snake, taking up his residence in anothercreature’s abode, lives in felicity. The ascetics live happily, betakingthemselves to mendicancy, without being injured by any creature, likebees in the forest. A certain maker of shafts, while employed at hiswork, was so deeply attentive to it that he did not notice the king whopassed by his side. When many are together, dispute ensues. Even when tworeside together, they are sure to converse. I, however, wander alone likethe anklet made of sea-shells in the wrist of the maiden in thestory.'”[535]
