ate birth who observes in the
aforesaid way this mode of life having Emancipation for its end, with a
pure heart and with an understanding freed from resolution, attains to
Brahma after the manner of a tranquil ray of light that is not fed by any
blazing fuel.'

"'"Bharadwaja said, 'Beyond this region (that we inhabit) there is a region
that we have heard of but never seen. I desire to know all about it. It
behoveth thee to describe it to me.'

"'"Bhrigu said, 'Towards the north, on the other side of Himavat, which is
sacred and possessed of every merit, there is a region that is sacred,
blessed, and highly desirable. That is called the other world.[582] The
men that inhabit that region are righteous in act, pious, of pure hearts,
freed from cupidity and errors of judgment, and not subject to
afflictions of any kind. That region is, indeed, equal to heaven,
possessed as it is of such excellent attributes. Death comes there at the
proper season. Diseases never touch the inhabitants.[583] Nobody
cherishes any desire for the wives of other people. Every one is devoted
to his own wife. These people do not afflict or kill one another, or
covet one another's things. There no sin occurs, no doubt arises.[584]
There the fruits of all (religious) acts are visible. There some enjoy
seats and drinks and viands of the best kind, and live within palaces and
mansions. There some, adorned with ornaments of gold, surround themselves
with every article of enjoyment. There are, again, some that eat very
abstemiously, for only keeping body and soul together. There some, with
great toil, seek to hold the life-breaths.[585] Here (in this region that
is inhabited by us), some men are devoted to righteousness and some to
deceit. Some are happy and some miserable; some are poor and some rich.
Here toil, and fear and delusion, and painful hunger make their
appearance. Here cupidity for wealth is also seen, a passion that
stupefies even those that are learned amongst men. Here diverse opinions
prevail, broached by those that do deeds which are righteous or sinful.
That man possessed of wisdom who knows all those opinions which may be
divided into two kinds, is never stained by sin. Deceit with fraud,
theft, slander, malice, oppression, injury, treachery, and untruth, are
vices that detract from the merit of his penances who practises them. He,
on the other hand, possessed of learning, who avoids them, finds the
merit of his penances increased.