es, becoming a Brahmacharin. He
should next, entering the domestic mode of life, perform the usual
Sacrifices. Establishing his race, he should then enter the forest,
restraining his senses, and desirous of winning Emancipation. One should
never emasculate oneself by abstaining from any enjoyment. Of all births,
the status of humanity is preferable even if one has to become a
Chandala. Indeed, O monarch, that order of birth (viz., humanity) is the
foremost, since by becoming a human being one succeeds in rescuing one's
self by meritorious acts. Men always perform righteous acts, O lord,
guided by the authority of the Srutis, so that they may not fall away
from the status of humanity. That man who, having attained to the status
of humanity that is so difficult of attainment, indulges in malice,
disregards righteousness and yields himself up to desire, is certainly
betrayed by his desires.[1557] That man who looks upon all creatures with
eyes guided by affection, regarding them worthy of being cherished with
loving aid, who disregards all kinds of wealth, who offers them
consolation, gives them food, address them in agreeable words, and who
rejoices in their happiness and grieves in their griefs, has never to
suffer misery in the next world. Repairing to the Saraswati, the Naimisha
woods, the Pushkara waters, and the other sacred spots on earth, one
should make gifts, practise renunciation, render one's aspect amiable, O
king, and purify one's body with baths and penances. Those men who meet
with death within their houses should have the rites of cremation
performed upon their persons. Their bodies should be taken to the
crematorium on vehicles and there they should be burnt according to the
rites of purification that have been laid down in the scriptures.
Religious rites, beneficial ceremonies, the performance of sacrifices,
officiation at the sacrifices of others, gifts, the doing of other
meritorious acts, the performance, according to the best of one's power,
of all that has been ordained in the case of one's deceased
ancestors,--all these one does for benefiting one's own self. The Vedas
with their six branches, and the other scriptures, O king, have been
created for the good of him who is of stainless acts.'"

"'Bhishma continued, "All this was said by that high-souled sage unto the
ruler of the Videhas, O king, in days of old for his benefit."'"

SECTION CCXCIX

"'Bhishma said, "Once again Janaka, the ruler o