ly to his own ability, certainly succeeds in obtaining
blessed regions hereafter.'"[1187]

"'Bhishma continued, "These are the duties, O Yudhishthira, which
Tuladhara applauded,--duties that are consistent with reason, and that
are always observed by those that are good and wise."'"

SECTION CCLXIV

"'"Tuladhara said, 'See with thy own eyes, O Jajali, who, viz., those that
are good or those that are otherwise, have adopted this path of duty that
I have spoken of. Thou shalt then understand properly how the truth
stands. Behold, many birds are hovering in the sky. Amongst them are
those that were reared on thy head, as also many hawks and many others of
other species. Behold, O Brahmana, those birds have contracted their
wings and legs for entering their respective nests. Summon them, O
regenerate one! There those birds, treated with affection by thee, are
displaying their love for thee that art their father. Without doubt, thou
art their father, O Jajali! Do thou summon thy children.'"

"'Bhishma continued, "Then those birds, summoned by Jajali, made answer
agreeably to the dictates of that religion which is not fraught with
injury to any creature.[1188] 'All acts that are done without injuring any
creature become serviceable (to the doer) both here and hereafter. Those
acts, however, that involve injury to others, destroy faith, and faith
being destroyed, involves the destroyer in ruin. The sacrifices of those
that regard acquisition and non-acquisition in the same light, that are
endued with faith, that are self-restrained, that have tranquil minds, and
that perform sacrifices from a sense of duty (and not from desire of
fruit), become productive of fruit.[1189] Faith with respect to Brahma is
the daughter of Surya, O regenerate one. She is the protectress and she
is the giver of good birth. Faith is superior to the merit born of
(Vedic) recitations and meditation.[1190] An act vitiated by defect of
speech is saved by Faith. An act vitiated by defect of mind is saved by
Faith. But neither speech nor mind can save an act that is vitiated by
want of Faith.[1191] Men conversant with the occurrences of the past
recite in this connection the following verse sung by Brahman. The
offerings in sacrifices of a person that is pure (in body and acts) but
wanting in Faith, and of another that is impure (in respect of their
worthiness of acceptance). The food, again, of a person conversant with
the Vedas but miserly in beha