uth that one goes to heaven. Untruth is only
another form of Darkness. It is Darkness that leads downwards. Those who
are afflicted by Darkness and covered by it fail to behold the lighted
regions of heaven. It has been said that Heaven is Light and that Hell is
Darkness. The creatures that dwell in the universe may obtain both heaven
and hell. In this world also, truth and untruth lead to opposite courses
of conduct and opposite indications, such as Righteousness and
Unrighteousness, light and darkness, pleasure and pain. Amongst these,
that which is Truth is Righteousness; that which is Righteousness is
Light; and that which is Light is Happiness. Similarly, that which is
Untruth is Unrighteousness; that which is Unrighteousness is Darkness;
and that which is Darkness is Sorrow or Misery. In this respect it is
said that they that are possessed of wisdom, beholding that the world of
lire is overwhelmed with sorrow, both bodily and mental, and with
happiness that is sure to end in misery, never suffer themselves to be
stupefied. He that is Wise will strive to rescue himself from sorrow. The
happiness of living creatures is unstable both here and hereafter.[568]
The happiness of creatures that are overwhelmed by Darkness disappears
like the splendour of the Moon when afflicted by Rahu.[569] Happiness is
said to be of two kinds, viz., bodily and mental. Both in this and the
other world, the visible and the invisible fruits (of action) are
specified (in the Vedas) for the sake of happiness.[570] There is nothing
more important than happiness and among the fruits or consequences of the
triple aggregate. Happiness is desirable. It is an attribute of the Soul.
Both Virtue and Profit are sought for its sake. Virtue is its root. This,
indeed, is its origin. All acts have for their end the attainment of
happiness.'

"'"Bharadwaja said, 'You have said that happiness is the highest object. I
do not comprehend this. This attribute of the soul that (you say) is so
desirable is not sought by the Rishis who are regarded to be engaged in
something promising a higher reward. It is heard that the Creator of the
three worlds, viz., the puissant Brahman, lives alone, observant of the
vow of Brahmacharya. He never devotes himself to the happiness obtainable
from the gratification of desire. Also, the divine Master of the
universe, the lord of Uma, reduced Kama (the deity of desire) to
extinction. For this reason, we say that happiness is not