bdues his blazing wrath which, if indulged, would
lead him to speak ill of others and verily become his foe, takes away the
merits of others. As regards myself, I never answer when another speaks
ill of me. If assailed, I always forgive the assault. The righteous are
of opinion that forgiveness and truth and sincerity and compassion are
the foremost (of all virtues). Truth is the arcanum of the Vedas. The
arcanum of Truth is self-restraint. The arcanum of self-restraint is
Emancipation. This is the teaching of all the scriptures. I regard that
person to be Brahmana and Muni who subjugates the rising impulse of
speech, the impulse of wrath appearing in the mind, the impulse of thirst
(after unworthy things), and the impulses of the stomach and the organ of
pleasure. One who does not yield to wrath is superior to one who does.
One who practises renunciation is superior to one who does not. One who
possesses the virtues of manhood is superior to one who has them not. One
who is endued with knowledge is superior to one who is destitute of it.
Assailed with harsh speeches one should not assail in return. Indeed, one
who, under such circumstances, renounces wrath, succeeds in burning the
assailant and taking away all his merits.[1577] That person who when
assailed with harsh speeches does not utter a harsh word in reply, who
when praised does not utter what is agreeable to him that praises, who is
endued with such fortitude as not to strike in return when struck and not
to even wish evil to the striker, finds his companionship always coveted
by the gods. He that is sinful should be forgiven as if he were
righteous, by one that is insulted, struck, and calumniated. By acting in
this way one attains to success. Though all my objects have been
fulfilled, yet I always wait reverentially on those that are righteous. I
have no thirst. My wrath hath been suppressed. Seduced by covetousness I
do not fall away from the path of righteousness. I do not also approach
any one (with solicitations) for wealth.[1578] If cursed, I do not curse
in return. I know that self-restraint is the door of immortality. I
disclose unto you a great mystery. There is no status that is superior to
that of humanity. Freed from sin like the Moon from murky clouds, the man
of wisdom, shining in resplendence, attains to success by patiently
waiting for his time. A person of restrained soul, who becomes the object
of adoration with all by becoming the foremost of t