SECTION VII.Maitreya said:—O twice-born one, you have related to me what I have asked of you. I wish to hear one thing more from you: Relate that to me. O great Muni, this egg of Brahmā, consisting seven zones, seven subterrestial regions, and seven spheres, abounds in living creatures, large or small, smaller and smallest, larger and largest. And there is not the eighth part of an inch where they do not dwell; And all these are bound by chains of acts and at the end of existence are subject to the power of Yama by whom they are doomed to dreadful punishments. And being freed from those inflictions they are born as celestials, men and the like; And those living creatures, as Sastras inform us, perpetually revolve. I wish to hear from you, performing what pure actions people are freed from subjection to Yama.Parāçara said:—O Muni, hear from me what his grandfather Bhishma said when this question was put to him by the high-souled Nakula.Bhishma said:—O my son, there came on a certain time, a friend of mine, a Brahmin from Kalinga country, to visit me. He told me that he had put this question to an ascetic who had the recollection of his previous births. To which the Muni replied "What is now shall be (the same) in future." What was said by that intelligent sage proved to be true. When that twice-born one was again accosted by me with due reverence, he said that he had never found otherwise what had been related to him. Once I put to him the same question which you have asked. And he, remembering the words of the Brahmin who retained the recollection of his former births, said—"I shall reveal to you the mystery that was revealed to me by the Brahmin retaining the recollection of his former births and I shall describe to you a dialogue that took place between Yama and one of his ministers".The Brahmin of Kalinga said—"Beholding his own emissary with a noose in hand approach, the Yama said to his ears 'Never bring here any one who has obtained the shelter of the slayer of Madhu; for I am the lord of all spirits but not of the spirits of those who are devoted to Vishnu. I was appointed by Brahmā, honored by the immortals, to sit in judgment upon the good and bad conduct of mankind. Hari is my lord; I am not independent, for he can mete out punishment to me. As gold, though (in reality) it is one substance, appears diversified as bracelets, tiaras and earrings, so Hari, though He is one appears many as gods, animals and man. As the drops of water, raised by wind from the earth, sink again into the earth when the wind disappears, so gods, man and animals created by the agitation of qualities are reunited with the eternal with the end of disturbance. He, who reverentially bows unto Hari, whose lotus-feet are being meditated upon by the celestials, is freed from all iniquities. Do you avoid such a man who is freed from all sinful bonds like unto fire fed with clarified butter".Having heard these words of Yama, his messenger, with noose in hand, said "Tell me, O Lord, how am I to distinguish the worshipper of Hari, who is the Lord of all beings?" Yama said—"Consider him as the worshipper of Vishnu who never swerves from the duties assigned to his caste, who regards with an impartial eye his own self, his friends and enemies, does not steal nor injure any body and whose mind is freed from all passions. Know him to be a follower of Hari, whose heart is not sullied by iniquities of Kali who meditates on Janārddana in his mind freed from illusions. Consider that excellent man to be a worshipper of Vishnu, who, looking upon good in secret, holds that which is another's wealth as grass and devotes all his thoughts to the Lord."There is Vishnu as mountain of clear crystal: for how can he live in the hearts of those men sullied with malice and envy? The glowing heat of does not exist in the cluster of the cooling rays of the moon. Vāsudeva always resides in his heart whose mind is pure, free from malice, quiet, who has a pure character, is a friend to all, speaking wisely and kindly, humble and sincere. The eternal Vishnu residing in his heart a man appears lovely to all, as a beautiful young Sal-tree declares that there is the excellent juice inside it. Depart, O my emissary, speedily from those men, whose sins have been washed away by self-control and moral discipline, whose minds are always devoted to the undecaying and who are freed from avarice, unkindness and malice. If the divine Hari, who is without beginning or end and is armed with a sword, conch and mace, lives in the heart of a man he is freed from all sins: for how can darkness exist in the sun? He, who pilfers another's wealth, slays animals, speaks untrue and cruel words, whose mind is impure and is addicted to impious actions, does not get the Endless in his heart. Janārddana does not reside in the heart of that vile wight who cannot bear the prosperity of another, who vilifies the pious, does not perform sacrifices and does not make gifts to the pious. Consider not that person, engaged in vile actions, as the worshipper of Vishnu, who by foul means, earns wealth for his dear friend, wife, son, daughter, father, mother or servants."That beast of a man is not a follower of Vāsudeva whose mind is addicted to foul actions, who is always engaged in actions, who lives for a long time in evil company and who always endeavours to drown himself in sins. Do you stand aloof from those persons in whose hearts resides Ananta; from him, who by his pure understanding conceives the supreme male and ruler Vāsudeva as one with his devotees and the whole world. Do you depart from those, O my emissary, who are freed from sins and who always invoke the lotus-eyed Vāsudeva, Vishnu, the upholder of the earth, the immortal wielder of the discus and the shell, the refuge of the world do not approach him in whose heart dwells the imperishable soul for he is protected against my power by the discus of his deity and he is bound for the heaven of Vishnu".The Brāhmin of Kalinga said—"O foremost of Kurus, these were the instructions given by the king of justice, the son of the sun, to his servant. That servant communicated those instructions to me and I have in turn related them to you".Bhishma said:—"This was communicated to me, O Nakula, by the Brahmin, hailing from Kalinga. And I have duly related that to you, O my son, and thus there is no protection in the ocean of the world but Vishnu. They whose minds are always devoted to Keshava, have no fear from death, his servant, his rod, his noose and his tortures".Parāçara said:—O Muni I have thus described to you what you desired me to say and what was related by the sort of Vivaswat. What else do you wish to hear?
SECTION VII.Maitreya said:—O twice-born one, you have related to me what I have asked of you. I wish to hear one thing more from you: Relate that to me. O great Muni, this egg of Brahmā, consisting seven zones, seven subterrestial regions, and seven spheres, abounds in living creatures, large or small, smaller and smallest, larger and largest. And there is not the eighth part of an inch where they do not dwell; And all these are bound by chains of acts and at the end of existence are subject to the power of Yama by whom they are doomed to dreadful punishments. And being freed from those inflictions they are born as celestials, men and the like; And those living creatures, as Sastras inform us, perpetually revolve. I wish to hear from you, performing what pure actions people are freed from subjection to Yama.Parāçara said:—O Muni, hear from me what his grandfather Bhishma said when this question was put to him by the high-souled Nakula.Bhishma said:—O my son, there came on a certain time, a friend of mine, a Brahmin from Kalinga country, to visit me. He told me that he had put this question to an ascetic who had the recollection of his previous births. To which the Muni replied "What is now shall be (the same) in future." What was said by that intelligent sage proved to be true. When that twice-born one was again accosted by me with due reverence, he said that he had never found otherwise what had been related to him. Once I put to him the same question which you have asked. And he, remembering the words of the Brahmin who retained the recollection of his former births, said—"I shall reveal to you the mystery that was revealed to me by the Brahmin retaining the recollection of his former births and I shall describe to you a dialogue that took place between Yama and one of his ministers".The Brahmin of Kalinga said—"Beholding his own emissary with a noose in hand approach, the Yama said to his ears 'Never bring here any one who has obtained the shelter of the slayer of Madhu; for I am the lord of all spirits but not of the spirits of those who are devoted to Vishnu. I was appointed by Brahmā, honored by the immortals, to sit in judgment upon the good and bad conduct of mankind. Hari is my lord; I am not independent, for he can mete out punishment to me. As gold, though (in reality) it is one substance, appears diversified as bracelets, tiaras and earrings, so Hari, though He is one appears many as gods, animals and man. As the drops of water, raised by wind from the earth, sink again into the earth when the wind disappears, so gods, man and animals created by the agitation of qualities are reunited with the eternal with the end of disturbance. He, who reverentially bows unto Hari, whose lotus-feet are being meditated upon by the celestials, is freed from all iniquities. Do you avoid such a man who is freed from all sinful bonds like unto fire fed with clarified butter".Having heard these words of Yama, his messenger, with noose in hand, said "Tell me, O Lord, how am I to distinguish the worshipper of Hari, who is the Lord of all beings?" Yama said—"Consider him as the worshipper of Vishnu who never swerves from the duties assigned to his caste, who regards with an impartial eye his own self, his friends and enemies, does not steal nor injure any body and whose mind is freed from all passions. Know him to be a follower of Hari, whose heart is not sullied by iniquities of Kali who meditates on Janārddana in his mind freed from illusions. Consider that excellent man to be a worshipper of Vishnu, who, looking upon good in secret, holds that which is another's wealth as grass and devotes all his thoughts to the Lord."There is Vishnu as mountain of clear crystal: for how can he live in the hearts of those men sullied with malice and envy? The glowing heat of does not exist in the cluster of the cooling rays of the moon. Vāsudeva always resides in his heart whose mind is pure, free from malice, quiet, who has a pure character, is a friend to all, speaking wisely and kindly, humble and sincere. The eternal Vishnu residing in his heart a man appears lovely to all, as a beautiful young Sal-tree declares that there is the excellent juice inside it. Depart, O my emissary, speedily from those men, whose sins have been washed away by self-control and moral discipline, whose minds are always devoted to the undecaying and who are freed from avarice, unkindness and malice. If the divine Hari, who is without beginning or end and is armed with a sword, conch and mace, lives in the heart of a man he is freed from all sins: for how can darkness exist in the sun? He, who pilfers another's wealth, slays animals, speaks untrue and cruel words, whose mind is impure and is addicted to impious actions, does not get the Endless in his heart. Janārddana does not reside in the heart of that vile wight who cannot bear the prosperity of another, who vilifies the pious, does not perform sacrifices and does not make gifts to the pious. Consider not that person, engaged in vile actions, as the worshipper of Vishnu, who by foul means, earns wealth for his dear friend, wife, son, daughter, father, mother or servants."That beast of a man is not a follower of Vāsudeva whose mind is addicted to foul actions, who is always engaged in actions, who lives for a long time in evil company and who always endeavours to drown himself in sins. Do you stand aloof from those persons in whose hearts resides Ananta; from him, who by his pure understanding conceives the supreme male and ruler Vāsudeva as one with his devotees and the whole world. Do you depart from those, O my emissary, who are freed from sins and who always invoke the lotus-eyed Vāsudeva, Vishnu, the upholder of the earth, the immortal wielder of the discus and the shell, the refuge of the world do not approach him in whose heart dwells the imperishable soul for he is protected against my power by the discus of his deity and he is bound for the heaven of Vishnu".The Brāhmin of Kalinga said—"O foremost of Kurus, these were the instructions given by the king of justice, the son of the sun, to his servant. That servant communicated those instructions to me and I have in turn related them to you".Bhishma said:—"This was communicated to me, O Nakula, by the Brahmin, hailing from Kalinga. And I have duly related that to you, O my son, and thus there is no protection in the ocean of the world but Vishnu. They whose minds are always devoted to Keshava, have no fear from death, his servant, his rod, his noose and his tortures".Parāçara said:—O Muni I have thus described to you what you desired me to say and what was related by the sort of Vivaswat. What else do you wish to hear?
SECTION VII.Maitreya said:—O twice-born one, you have related to me what I have asked of you. I wish to hear one thing more from you: Relate that to me. O great Muni, this egg of Brahmā, consisting seven zones, seven subterrestial regions, and seven spheres, abounds in living creatures, large or small, smaller and smallest, larger and largest. And there is not the eighth part of an inch where they do not dwell; And all these are bound by chains of acts and at the end of existence are subject to the power of Yama by whom they are doomed to dreadful punishments. And being freed from those inflictions they are born as celestials, men and the like; And those living creatures, as Sastras inform us, perpetually revolve. I wish to hear from you, performing what pure actions people are freed from subjection to Yama.Parāçara said:—O Muni, hear from me what his grandfather Bhishma said when this question was put to him by the high-souled Nakula.Bhishma said:—O my son, there came on a certain time, a friend of mine, a Brahmin from Kalinga country, to visit me. He told me that he had put this question to an ascetic who had the recollection of his previous births. To which the Muni replied "What is now shall be (the same) in future." What was said by that intelligent sage proved to be true. When that twice-born one was again accosted by me with due reverence, he said that he had never found otherwise what had been related to him. Once I put to him the same question which you have asked. And he, remembering the words of the Brahmin who retained the recollection of his former births, said—"I shall reveal to you the mystery that was revealed to me by the Brahmin retaining the recollection of his former births and I shall describe to you a dialogue that took place between Yama and one of his ministers".The Brahmin of Kalinga said—"Beholding his own emissary with a noose in hand approach, the Yama said to his ears 'Never bring here any one who has obtained the shelter of the slayer of Madhu; for I am the lord of all spirits but not of the spirits of those who are devoted to Vishnu. I was appointed by Brahmā, honored by the immortals, to sit in judgment upon the good and bad conduct of mankind. Hari is my lord; I am not independent, for he can mete out punishment to me. As gold, though (in reality) it is one substance, appears diversified as bracelets, tiaras and earrings, so Hari, though He is one appears many as gods, animals and man. As the drops of water, raised by wind from the earth, sink again into the earth when the wind disappears, so gods, man and animals created by the agitation of qualities are reunited with the eternal with the end of disturbance. He, who reverentially bows unto Hari, whose lotus-feet are being meditated upon by the celestials, is freed from all iniquities. Do you avoid such a man who is freed from all sinful bonds like unto fire fed with clarified butter".Having heard these words of Yama, his messenger, with noose in hand, said "Tell me, O Lord, how am I to distinguish the worshipper of Hari, who is the Lord of all beings?" Yama said—"Consider him as the worshipper of Vishnu who never swerves from the duties assigned to his caste, who regards with an impartial eye his own self, his friends and enemies, does not steal nor injure any body and whose mind is freed from all passions. Know him to be a follower of Hari, whose heart is not sullied by iniquities of Kali who meditates on Janārddana in his mind freed from illusions. Consider that excellent man to be a worshipper of Vishnu, who, looking upon good in secret, holds that which is another's wealth as grass and devotes all his thoughts to the Lord."There is Vishnu as mountain of clear crystal: for how can he live in the hearts of those men sullied with malice and envy? The glowing heat of does not exist in the cluster of the cooling rays of the moon. Vāsudeva always resides in his heart whose mind is pure, free from malice, quiet, who has a pure character, is a friend to all, speaking wisely and kindly, humble and sincere. The eternal Vishnu residing in his heart a man appears lovely to all, as a beautiful young Sal-tree declares that there is the excellent juice inside it. Depart, O my emissary, speedily from those men, whose sins have been washed away by self-control and moral discipline, whose minds are always devoted to the undecaying and who are freed from avarice, unkindness and malice. If the divine Hari, who is without beginning or end and is armed with a sword, conch and mace, lives in the heart of a man he is freed from all sins: for how can darkness exist in the sun? He, who pilfers another's wealth, slays animals, speaks untrue and cruel words, whose mind is impure and is addicted to impious actions, does not get the Endless in his heart. Janārddana does not reside in the heart of that vile wight who cannot bear the prosperity of another, who vilifies the pious, does not perform sacrifices and does not make gifts to the pious. Consider not that person, engaged in vile actions, as the worshipper of Vishnu, who by foul means, earns wealth for his dear friend, wife, son, daughter, father, mother or servants."That beast of a man is not a follower of Vāsudeva whose mind is addicted to foul actions, who is always engaged in actions, who lives for a long time in evil company and who always endeavours to drown himself in sins. Do you stand aloof from those persons in whose hearts resides Ananta; from him, who by his pure understanding conceives the supreme male and ruler Vāsudeva as one with his devotees and the whole world. Do you depart from those, O my emissary, who are freed from sins and who always invoke the lotus-eyed Vāsudeva, Vishnu, the upholder of the earth, the immortal wielder of the discus and the shell, the refuge of the world do not approach him in whose heart dwells the imperishable soul for he is protected against my power by the discus of his deity and he is bound for the heaven of Vishnu".The Brāhmin of Kalinga said—"O foremost of Kurus, these were the instructions given by the king of justice, the son of the sun, to his servant. That servant communicated those instructions to me and I have in turn related them to you".Bhishma said:—"This was communicated to me, O Nakula, by the Brahmin, hailing from Kalinga. And I have duly related that to you, O my son, and thus there is no protection in the ocean of the world but Vishnu. They whose minds are always devoted to Keshava, have no fear from death, his servant, his rod, his noose and his tortures".Parāçara said:—O Muni I have thus described to you what you desired me to say and what was related by the sort of Vivaswat. What else do you wish to hear?
Maitreya said:—O twice-born one, you have related to me what I have asked of you. I wish to hear one thing more from you: Relate that to me. O great Muni, this egg of Brahmā, consisting seven zones, seven subterrestial regions, and seven spheres, abounds in living creatures, large or small, smaller and smallest, larger and largest. And there is not the eighth part of an inch where they do not dwell; And all these are bound by chains of acts and at the end of existence are subject to the power of Yama by whom they are doomed to dreadful punishments. And being freed from those inflictions they are born as celestials, men and the like; And those living creatures, as Sastras inform us, perpetually revolve. I wish to hear from you, performing what pure actions people are freed from subjection to Yama.
Parāçara said:—O Muni, hear from me what his grandfather Bhishma said when this question was put to him by the high-souled Nakula.
Bhishma said:—O my son, there came on a certain time, a friend of mine, a Brahmin from Kalinga country, to visit me. He told me that he had put this question to an ascetic who had the recollection of his previous births. To which the Muni replied "What is now shall be (the same) in future." What was said by that intelligent sage proved to be true. When that twice-born one was again accosted by me with due reverence, he said that he had never found otherwise what had been related to him. Once I put to him the same question which you have asked. And he, remembering the words of the Brahmin who retained the recollection of his former births, said—"I shall reveal to you the mystery that was revealed to me by the Brahmin retaining the recollection of his former births and I shall describe to you a dialogue that took place between Yama and one of his ministers".
The Brahmin of Kalinga said—"Beholding his own emissary with a noose in hand approach, the Yama said to his ears 'Never bring here any one who has obtained the shelter of the slayer of Madhu; for I am the lord of all spirits but not of the spirits of those who are devoted to Vishnu. I was appointed by Brahmā, honored by the immortals, to sit in judgment upon the good and bad conduct of mankind. Hari is my lord; I am not independent, for he can mete out punishment to me. As gold, though (in reality) it is one substance, appears diversified as bracelets, tiaras and earrings, so Hari, though He is one appears many as gods, animals and man. As the drops of water, raised by wind from the earth, sink again into the earth when the wind disappears, so gods, man and animals created by the agitation of qualities are reunited with the eternal with the end of disturbance. He, who reverentially bows unto Hari, whose lotus-feet are being meditated upon by the celestials, is freed from all iniquities. Do you avoid such a man who is freed from all sinful bonds like unto fire fed with clarified butter".
Having heard these words of Yama, his messenger, with noose in hand, said "Tell me, O Lord, how am I to distinguish the worshipper of Hari, who is the Lord of all beings?" Yama said—"Consider him as the worshipper of Vishnu who never swerves from the duties assigned to his caste, who regards with an impartial eye his own self, his friends and enemies, does not steal nor injure any body and whose mind is freed from all passions. Know him to be a follower of Hari, whose heart is not sullied by iniquities of Kali who meditates on Janārddana in his mind freed from illusions. Consider that excellent man to be a worshipper of Vishnu, who, looking upon good in secret, holds that which is another's wealth as grass and devotes all his thoughts to the Lord.
"There is Vishnu as mountain of clear crystal: for how can he live in the hearts of those men sullied with malice and envy? The glowing heat of does not exist in the cluster of the cooling rays of the moon. Vāsudeva always resides in his heart whose mind is pure, free from malice, quiet, who has a pure character, is a friend to all, speaking wisely and kindly, humble and sincere. The eternal Vishnu residing in his heart a man appears lovely to all, as a beautiful young Sal-tree declares that there is the excellent juice inside it. Depart, O my emissary, speedily from those men, whose sins have been washed away by self-control and moral discipline, whose minds are always devoted to the undecaying and who are freed from avarice, unkindness and malice. If the divine Hari, who is without beginning or end and is armed with a sword, conch and mace, lives in the heart of a man he is freed from all sins: for how can darkness exist in the sun? He, who pilfers another's wealth, slays animals, speaks untrue and cruel words, whose mind is impure and is addicted to impious actions, does not get the Endless in his heart. Janārddana does not reside in the heart of that vile wight who cannot bear the prosperity of another, who vilifies the pious, does not perform sacrifices and does not make gifts to the pious. Consider not that person, engaged in vile actions, as the worshipper of Vishnu, who by foul means, earns wealth for his dear friend, wife, son, daughter, father, mother or servants.
"That beast of a man is not a follower of Vāsudeva whose mind is addicted to foul actions, who is always engaged in actions, who lives for a long time in evil company and who always endeavours to drown himself in sins. Do you stand aloof from those persons in whose hearts resides Ananta; from him, who by his pure understanding conceives the supreme male and ruler Vāsudeva as one with his devotees and the whole world. Do you depart from those, O my emissary, who are freed from sins and who always invoke the lotus-eyed Vāsudeva, Vishnu, the upholder of the earth, the immortal wielder of the discus and the shell, the refuge of the world do not approach him in whose heart dwells the imperishable soul for he is protected against my power by the discus of his deity and he is bound for the heaven of Vishnu".
The Brāhmin of Kalinga said—"O foremost of Kurus, these were the instructions given by the king of justice, the son of the sun, to his servant. That servant communicated those instructions to me and I have in turn related them to you".
Bhishma said:—"This was communicated to me, O Nakula, by the Brahmin, hailing from Kalinga. And I have duly related that to you, O my son, and thus there is no protection in the ocean of the world but Vishnu. They whose minds are always devoted to Keshava, have no fear from death, his servant, his rod, his noose and his tortures".
Parāçara said:—O Muni I have thus described to you what you desired me to say and what was related by the sort of Vivaswat. What else do you wish to hear?