se,--the mighty river of Time,--which has an origin as inconceivable
as that of Brahma itself, is ceaselessly bearing away all beings created
by the great Ordainer towards the abode of Yama.[903] Persons possessed
of wisdom and patience always succeed in crossing this awful river by
employing the rafts of knowledge and wisdom. What, however, can senseless
fools, destitute of similar rafts do (when thrown into that furious
stream)? That only the man of wisdom succeeds in crossing this stream and
not he that is unwise, is consistent with reason. The former beholds from
a distance the merits and faults of everything. (Accordingly, he succeeds
in adopting or rejecting what is deserving of adoption or rejection). The
man, however, of unstable and little understanding, and whose soul is
full of desire and cupidity, is always filled with doubt. Hence the man
destitute of wisdom never succeeds in crossing that river. He also who
sits inactively (in doubt) can never pass it over. The man destitute of
the raft of wisdom, in consequence of his having to bear the heavy weight
of great faults, sinks down. One that is seized by the crocodile of
desire, even if possessed of knowledge, can never make knowledge one's
raft.[904] For these reasons, the man of wisdom and intelligence should
strive to float over the stream of Time (without sinking in it). He
indeed, succeeds in keeping himself afloat who becomes conversant with
Brahma. One born in a noble race, abstaining from the three duties of
teaching, officiating at other's sacrifices and accepting gifts, and
doing only the three other acts, viz., studying, sacrificing, and giving,
should, for those reasons, strive to float over the stream. Such a man is
sure to cross it aided by the raft of wisdom. One who is pure in conduct,
who is self-restrained and observant of good vows, whose soul is under
control, and who is possessed of wisdom, certainly wins success in this
and the other world. The Brahmana leading a domestic mode of life should
conquer wrath and envy, practise the virtues already named, and
worshipping the deities in the five sacrifices, eat after having fed the
deities, Pitris, and guests. He should conform to those duties which are
observed by the good; he should do all his acts like a person of governed
soul; and he should, without injuring any creature, draw his substance by
adopting a course that is not censurable. One who is well-versed in the
truths of the Vedas and the