u must know that the very ascetics also are addicted to action. The
Vaikhanasas, however, are said to preach that he who does not seek for
wealth is superior to him that seeks for it.[65] I think that he who
would follow that precept would incur many faults. Men collect together
diverse things (for the performance of sacrifices) simply because of the
(Vedic) ordinance. He who, tainted by his own understanding, giveth away
wealth to an undeserving person without giving it to the deserving, doth
not know that he incurs the sin of killing a foetus.[66] The exercise of
the duty of charity after discriminating the deserving from the
undeserving is not easy. The Supreme Ordainer created wealth for
sacrifice, and He created man also for taking care of that wealth and for
performing sacrifice. For this reason the whole of one's wealth should be
applied to sacrifice. Pleasure would follow from it as a natural
consequence. Possessed of abundant energy, Indra, by the performance of
diverse sacrifices with profuse gifts of valuables, surpassed all the
gods. Having got their chiefship by that means, he shineth in heaven.
Therefore, everything should be applied to sacrifices. Clad in
deer-skins, the high-souled Mahadeva, having poured his own self as a
libation in the sacrifice called Sarva, became the first of gods, and
surpassing all creatures in the universe and prevailing over them by
means of that achievement, shines in resplendence. King Marutta, the son
of Avikshit, by the profusion of his wealth, vanquished Sakra himself,
the chief of the gods. In the great sacrifice he performed, all the
vessels were of gold, and Sree herself came in person. Thou hast heard
that the great king Harischandra, having performed sacrifices, earned
great merit and great happiness. Though a man, he nevertheless vanquished
Sakra by his wealth. For this reason everything should be applied to
sacrifice."'"

SECTION XXI

"'Devasthana said, "In this connection is cited an old history, viz., the
discourse that Vrihaspati, asked by Indra, delivered unto him. Vrihaspati
said, 'Contentment is the highest heaven, contentment is the highest
bliss. There is nothing higher than contentment. Contentment stands as
the highest. When one draws away all his desires like a tortoise drawing
in all its limbs, then the natural resplendence of his soul soon manifests
itself. When one does not fear any creature, nor any creature is
frightened at one, when one conquer