Chapter 159
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou hast said, O grandsire, that the foundation ofall evils is covetousness. I wish, O sire, to hear of ignorance indetail.’
Chapter 160
“Yudhishthira said, ‘O grandsire, O thou of virtuous soul, what, indeed,is said to be productive of great merit[458] for a person attentivelyengaged in the study of the Vedas and desirous of acquiring virtue?
Chapter 161
“Bhishma said, ‘They that are possessed of knowledge say that everythinghas penance for its root.
Chapter 162
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Brahmanas and Rishis and Pitris and the gods allapplaud the duty of truth. I desire to hear of truth. Discourse to meupon it, O grandsire! What are the indications, O king, of truth? How mayit be acquired? What is gained by practising truth, and how? Tell me allthis.’
Chapter 163
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O thou of great wisdom, everything aboutthat from which spring wrath and lust, O bull of Bharata’s race, andsorrow and loss of judgment, and inclination to do (evil to others), andjealousy and malice and pride, and envy, and slander, and incapacity tobear the good of others, and unkindness, and fear. Tell me everythingtruly and in detail about all these.’
Chapter 164
“Yudhishthira said, ‘I know what benevolence is, in consequence of myobservation of persons that are good.
Chapter 165
“Bhishma said, ‘For enabling such pious and impoverished Brahmanas ashave been robbed of their wealth (by thieves), as are engaged in theperformance of sacrifices, as are well conversant with all the
Chapter 166
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Upon the completion of this discourse, Nakula whowas an accomplished swordsman thus questioned the Kuru grandsire lying onhis bed of arrows.’
Chapter 167
“Vaisampayana said, ‘When Bhishma, after having said this, became silent,Yudhishthira (and the others) returned home.
Chapter 168
“Yudhishthira said, ‘O grandsire, O thou that art possessed of greatwisdom, I shall ask thee a question.