er and ultimately attains to the Infinite.[1019] Of excellent
disposition and conduct, with sins all washed off, the person who is
conversant with his own self never desires to do any act for either this
or the other world. Freed from wrath and from error, without anxiety and
without friendship, such a person lives in this world like one totally
uninterested in its concerns. One (in the observance of Sannyasa) should
not feel reluctant in discharging the duties included in Yama and those
also that walk behind them (and are included in niyama). Such a one
should with energy live according to the ordinances in respect of his own
mode, and throw away Vedic study and the sacred thread that is indicative
of the order of his birth. Devoted to righteousness and with his senses
under complete control, such a one, possessed of knowledge of self,
attains undoubtedly to the end for which he strives.[1020] After the
third is the fourth mode of life. It is very superior, and fraught with
numerous high virtues. It transcends in point of merit the three other
modes of life. It is said to occupy the highest place. Listen to me as I
discourse upon the duties that belong to that mode which is pre-eminent
and which is the high refuge of all!'"'"

SECTION CCXLV

"'"Suka said, 'While living in the due observance of the duties of the
foremost of life, how should one, who seeks to attain to that which is
the highest object of knowledge, set one's soul on Yoga according to the
best of one's power?'

"'"Vyasa said, 'Having acquired (purity of conduct and body) by the
practice of the first two modes of life, viz., Brahmacharya and
domesticity, one should, after that, set one's soul on Yoga in the third
mode of life. Listen now with concentrated attention to what should be
done for attaining to the highest object of acquisition![1021] Having
subdued all faults of the mind and of heart by easy means in the practice
of the first three modes of life (viz., pupilage, domesticity, and
seclusion) one should pass into the most excellent and the most eminent
of all the modes, viz., Sannyasa or Renunciation. Do thou then pass thy
days, having acquired that purity. Listen also to me. One should, alone
and without anybody to assist him or bear him company, practise Yoga for
attaining to success (in respect of one's highest object of acquisition).
One who practises Yoga without companionship, who beholds everything as a
repetition of his own self, and