ossessed of a forgiving disposition,
or one that is inclined to take compassion on and do good to all
creatures; or one that is fond of dwelling in privacy and solitude, or
one that is fond of discharging all acts laid down in the scriptures, or
one that is averse to quarrels and disputes, or one that is possessed of
great learning or one endued with wisdom or one possessed of forgiveness
and self-restraint and tranquillity of soul. This high knowledge of
Brahma should never be communicated to one that is not possessed of such
qualifications. It has been said that by imparting this knowledge to one
that cannot be regarded as fit receptacle for holding it no advantage or
good fruit can arise. Unto one that is not observant of any vows and
restraints, this high knowledge should never be communicated even if he
gives in exchange the whole Earth full of gems and wealth of every kind.
Without doubt, however, O king, this knowledge should be given to one
that has conquered one's senses. O Karala, let no fear be thine any
longer, since thou hast heard all this regarding high Brahma from me
today! I have discoursed to thee duly about high and holy Brahma that is
without beginning and middle (and end) and that is capable of dispelling
all kinds of grief. Beholding Brahma whose sight is capable of dispelling
both birth and death, O king which is full of auspiciousness, which
removes all fear, and which benefit, and having acquired this essence of
all knowledge, cast off all error and stupefaction today! I had acquired
this knowledge from the eternal Hiranyagarbha himself, O king, who
communicated it to me for my having carefully gratified that great Being
of every superior Soul. Asked by thee today, I have, O monarch,
communicated the knowledge of eternal Brahma to thee just as I had myself
acquired it from my teacher. Indeed, this high knowledge that is the
refuge of all persons conversant with Emancipation has been imparted to
thee exactly as I had it from Brahman himself!'"

"'Bhishma continued, "I have thus told thee of high Brahma agreeably to
what the great Rishi (Vasishtha) had said (unto king Karala of Janaka's
race), by attaining to which the Twenty-fifth (or Jiva) has never to
return. Jiva, in consequence of his not knowing truly the Supreme Soul
which is not subject to decay and death, is obliged to frequently come
back into the world. When, however, Jiva succeeds in acquiring that high
knowledge, he has no longer to co