222 THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY. [August, 1873. both cock and hen, close to the carcase, over¬ turning and pecking at the stinking vehicle, the axle (i.e. life) being broken—they who, not comprehending the true nature of the body, commend it because they see it adorned with sandal powder and garlands ? 9. The skulls of the dead appearing with deep and hollow eyes, that alarm the minds of those who see them, look at the living and working, will abundantly testify and say, Stand in the way of virtue, this is the nature of the body. 10. The whitened skull of the dead will cor¬ rect the faults of the proud, alarming and mock¬ ing at them. Those whose faults are corrected by seeing the skulls, acknowledge that such is the quality of the body ; they will not therefore be anxious to hold themselves as things that have any real existence. Chapter 6.—Asceticism. 1. Like as when a lamp is brought into a room darkness disappears, so sin cannot stand before the effects of former good deeds. And like as darkness approaches and spreads over the room when the oil in the lamp is decreasing, so when the effect of the good deeds is exhaust¬ ed, the effect of evil deeds will take its place. 2. Those who are preeminent in learning, knowing that youth is unstable and that sick¬ ness, old age, and death are certainties, perform their duty now. There are no men so foolish as those, or fools so foolish as those who rave about the indestructible treatises of grammar and astrology. •3. Those who are greatly wise, seeing that, on careful examination, all such things as youth, complexion, form, dignity, and strength, are unstable, will without delay endeavour to save themselves by becoming ascetics. 4. The poor, though they endure many days’ affliction, will desire one day’s pleasure ; the self- controlled, knowing the changeableness of do¬ mestic happiness, and having regard to ts at¬ tendant misery, have renounced the domestic state. 5. Youth is gone in vain, and now old age with sickness comes. Therefore, oh my soul! take courage and rise up with me without hesita¬ tion—wilt thou not go ? Let us walk in the way of asceticism or virtue. 6. Since it is a hard thing for a husband to part with his wife, though she may neither have borne children, nor have a good disposition,— therefore on account of the misery which ma¬ trimony causes, the wise have long ago called it kerdy,—that is, the thing to be eschewed. 7. Those earnest men who, when troubles hard to be borne and enough to prostrate the mind come upon them, to frustrate the auste¬ rities which they have resolutely undertaken, put them aside, and, confining themselves sted- fastly, observe their rules, are ascetics indeed. 8. It is the duty of the excellent not only to forgive despite, but also to pity those who, on account of the despite they have done them, will in the next birth fall into the fire of hell. 9. He who has power to observe the rule of virtue which he has laid down, and to keep himself undisturbed by the five organs of sense from which arise lust and desire—or the body, mouth, nose, ears, and eyes—shall unfailingly obtain beatitude. 10. The mean, though they see afflictions come thronging upon them, never think of asceti¬ cism, and long only for gratification; but the excellent, though pleasures come crowding in upon them, having regard to their attendant miseries, cherish not the desire of any pleasure. Chapter 7.—Placidity. 1. Let the respectful honour, and let despising tramplers trample: good is the freedom from abusive anger in those who know that all is as the treading of a fly upon their heads. 2. Will those renounce their precious life of indestructible excellence, not caring to preserve it when they find any cause of offence (or when their penance is hindered), who, not removing from the place in which they stand, are able perseveringly to complete their penance, even when they experience great reproach. 3. As the angry words which a man speaks, opening his mouth unguardedly, continually bum him, so those who possess that knowledge which arises from oral instruction and incessant search after truth will never be angry and utter burning words of fury. 4. The excellent will not be hot and angry when their inferiors oppose them and utter bad words. The base, turning it over in their minds will speak of it and chafe in the hearing of everybody in the place, and jump with rage and knock their heads against a post. 5. The self-control exhibited by youth is self-control indeed. Liberality manifested by one
