acceptable to
high-souled people. Nor does it appear to be a high attribute of the
Soul. I cannot put faith in what thy divine self has said, viz., that
there is nothing higher than happiness. That there are two kinds of
consequences in respect of our acts, viz., the springing of happiness
from good acts and of sorrow from sinful acts, is only a saying that is
current in the world.'

"'"Bhrigu said, 'On this it is said as follows: from Untruth springs
Darkness. They that are overwhelmed by Darkness pursue only
Unrighteousness and not Righteousness, being overmastered by wrath,
covetousness, malice, falsehood, and similar evils. They never obtain
happiness either here or hereafter. On the other hand, they are afflicted
by various kinds of disease and pain and trouble. They are also tortured
by Death, imprisonment, and diverse other griefs of that kind, and by the
sorrows, attending on hunger and thirst and toil. They are also pained by
the numerous bodily griefs that arise from rain and wind and burning heat
and exceeding cold. They are also overwhelmed by numerous mental griefs
caused by loss of wealth and separation from friends, as also by griefs
caused by decrepitude and death. They that are not touched by these
diverse kinds of physical and mental afflictions, know what happiness is.
These evils are never found in heaven. There delicious breezes blow. In
heaven there is also perpetual fragrance. In heaven there is no hunger,
no thirst, no decrepitude, no sin. In this world there is both happiness
and misery. In hell there is only misery. Therefore, happiness is the
highest object of acquisition. The Earth is the progenitrix of all
creatures. Females partake of her nature. The male animal is like
Prajapati himself. The vital seed, it should be known, is the creative
energy. In this way did Brahman ordain in days of old that the creation
should go on. Each, affected by his own acts, obtains happiness or
misery.'"'"[571]

SECTION CXCI

"'"Bharadwaja said, 'What has been said to be the consequence of gift? What
of Righteousness? What of conduct? What of Penances well-performed? What
of the study and recitation of the Vedas? And what of pouring libations
upon the fire?'

"'"Bhrigu said, 'By pouring libations on the sacred fire, sin is burnt. By
study of the Vedas one obtains blessed tranquillity. By gift, one obtains
pleasure and articles of enjoyment. By Penances, one acquires blessed
heaven. Gift is said to b