t a flower,--what need then be said of
fruits,--dropped untimely from a tree even if the god of wind shook it
with force. All the kine began to yield sweet milk whenever milked by
men, and cruel and harsh words ceased to be uttered by any one. They who,
from desire of advancement, approach before assemblies of Brahmanas, and
read this narrative of the glorification of Sree by all the deities with
Indra at their head, deities that are competent to grant every
wish,--succeed in winning great prosperity. These then O chief of the
Kurus, are the foremost indications of prosperity and adversity. Urged on
by thee, I have told thee all. It behoves thee to bear thyself according
to the instructions conveyed herein, understanding them after careful
reflection!"'"

SECTION CCXXIX

"'Yudhishthira said, "By what disposition, what course of duties, what
knowledge, and what energy, does one succeed in attaining to Brahma which
is immutable and which is beyond the reach of primordial nature."[866]

"'Bhishma said, "One that is engaged in the practice of the religion of
nivritti, that eats abstemiously, and that has his senses under complete
control, can attain to Brahma which is immutable and which is above
primordial nature. In this connection is cited the old narrative, O
Bharata, of the discourse between Jaigishavya and Asita. Once on a time
Asita-Devala addressed Jaigishavya who was possessed of great wisdom and
fully acquainted with the truths of duty and morality.

"'"Devala said, 'Thou art not gladdened when praised. Thou dost not give
way to wrath when blamed or censured. What, indeed, is thy wisdom? Whence
hast thou got it? And what, indeed, is the refuge of that wisdom?'"

"'Bhishma said, "Thus questioned by Devala, the pure Jaigishavya of
austere penances, said those words of high import, fraught with full
faith and profound sense.

"'"Jaigishavya said, 'O foremost of Rishis, I shall tell thee of that which
is the highest end, that which is the supreme goal, that which is
tranquillity, in the estimation of all persons of righteous acts. They, O
Devala, who behave uniformly towards those that praise them and those
that blame them, they who conceal their own vows and good acts, they who
never indulge in recriminations, they who never say even what is good
when it is calculated to injure (instead of producing any benefit), they
who do not desire to return injury for injury received, are said to be
men possessed of wi