rds. That which is
ordained in consequence of the acts of a past life pursues the actor even
if the latter strives his best for leaving it behind.[544] It sleeps when
he sleeps and does whatever else he does.[545] Like his shadow it rests
when he rests, proceeds when he proceeds, and acts when he acts. Whatever
acts a man does he has certainly to obtain the fruits thereof. Death is
dragging all creatures who are surely destined to fall (into orders of
existence they deserve) and who are surely liable to enjoy or suffer
that which has been ordained as the consequence of their acts. The acts
of a past life develop their consequences in their own proper time even
as flowers and fruits, without extraneous efforts of any kind, never fail
to appear when their proper time comes. After the consequences, as
ordained, of the acts of a past life, have been exhausted (by enjoyment
or sufferings), honour and disgrace, gain and loss, decay and growth, no
longer flow or appear in respect of any one. This happens
repeatedly.[546] A creature while still in the mother's womb enjoys or
suffers the happiness or the misery that has been ordained for him in
consequence of his own acts. In childhood or youth or old age, at
whatever period of life one does an act good or bad, the consequences
thereof are sure to visit him in his next life at precisely the same
period. As a calf recognises and approaches its parent in the midst of
even a thousand kine, even so the acts of a past life recognise and visit
the doer in his new life. Washed in water a (dirty) piece of cloth
becomes clean. Similarly, men burning in repentance obtain endless
happiness by proper penances.[547] Those that can take up their residence
in the woods and by performing austerities for a long period can wash
themselves of their sins, succeed in obtaining the objects on which they
set their hearts. As no one can mark the track of birds in the sky or of
fishes in the water, similarly, the track of persons whose souls have
been cleansed by knowledge cannot be marked by any.[548] There is no need
of any more eloquence or any more reference to sinful acts. Suffice it to
say that one should, with proper judgment and as befits one best, do what
is for one's good. This is the means by which wisdom and high felicity
may be achieved."'"

SECTION CLXXXII

"'Yudhishthira said, "Whence has this universe consisting of mobile and
immobile creatures been created? Whom does it go to when