doubts in respect of the nature of righteousness. Who is this that is
called Righteousness? Whence also does Righteousness come? Tell me this,
O Grandsire! Is Righteousness for service in this world or is it for
service in the next world? Or, is it for service both here and hereafter?
Tell me this, O grandsire!"

"'Bhishma said, "The practices of the good, the Smritis, and the Vedas,
are the three indications (sources) of righteousness. Besides these, the
learned have declared that the purpose (for which an act is accomplished)
is the fourth indication of righteousness.[1116] The Rishis of old have
declared what acts are righteous and also classified them as superior or
inferior in point of merit. The rules of righteousness have been laid
down for the conduct of the affairs of the world. In both the worlds,
that is, here and hereafter, righteousness produces happiness as its
fruits. A sinful person unable to acquire merit by subtile ways, becomes
stained with sin only. Some are of opinion that sinful persons can never
be cleansed of their sins. In seasons of distress, a person by even
speaking an untruth acquires the merit of speaking the truth, even as a
person who accomplishes an unrighteous act acquires by that very means
the merit of having done a righteous act. Conduct is the refuge of
righteousness. Thou shouldst know what righteousness is, aided by
conduct.[1117] (It is the nature of man that he neither sees nor
proclaims his own faults but notices and proclaims those of others). The
very thief, stealing what belongs to others, spends the produce of his
theft in acts of apparent virtue. During a time of anarchy, the thief
takes great pleasure in appropriating what belongs to others. When
others, however, rob him of what he has acquired by robbery, he then
wishes forthwith for a king (for invoking punishment on the head of the
offenders). At even such a time, when his indignation for offended rights
of property is at its highest, he secretly covets the wealth of those
that are contented with their own. Fearlessly and without a doubt in his
mind (when he is himself the victim of a robbery) he repairs to the
king's palace with a mind cleansed of every sin. Within even his own
heart he does not see the stain of any evil act.[1118] To speak the truth
is meritorious. There is nothing higher than truth. Everything is upheld
by truth, and everything rests upon truth. Even the sinful and ferocious,
swearing to keep the tru