tions are concerned with the acquisition
of the agreeable which ends in happiness, and the avoidance of the
disagreeable which brings misery. Such acquisition and such avoidance
again are accomplished by acts.'[654]

"'"Manu said, 'It is by liberating oneself from acts that one succeeds in
entering into Brahma. The ordinances about acts have flowed for that very
end.[655] The ordinances about acts tempts only those whose hearts are
not free from desire. By liberating oneself from acts (as already said)
one acquires the highest state. One desirous of felicity (Emancipation),
betaking oneself to religious rites, becomes purified (from attachments)
by acts having for their object the purification of the soul, and at last
wins great splendour. By liberating oneself from acts, one acquires the
highest end, viz., Brahma, which is very much above the reward that acts
give. Creatures have all been created by Mind and Act. These again are
the two best paths adored by all. Outward acts produce fruits that are
transitory as also eternal. For acquiring the latter there is no other
means than abandonment of fruits by the mind.[656] As the eye, when night
passes away and the veil of darkness is removed from it, leads its
possessor by its own power, so the Understanding, when it becomes endued
with Knowledge, succeeds in beholding all evils that are worthy of
avoidance.[657] Snakes, sharp-pointed kusa blades, and pits, men avoid
when they perceive them lie on their way. If some tread upon or fall into
them, they do so through ignorance. Behold the superiority of the fruits
of knowledge (over those of ignorance). Mantras applied duly, sacrifices,
the presents called Dakshina, gift of food, and concentration of the mind
(for divine contemplation),--these are the five acts that are said to be
productive of fruits, there being none else. Acts have (the three)
attributes (of Sattwa, Rajas, and Tamas) for their soul. The Vedas say
this. (The Vedas consist of Mantras). The Mantras, therefore, have the
same three attributes, since it is with Mantras that acts are to be
accomplished. The ritual also must be liable to the same three
attributes. The fruits of action depend upon the mind. It is the embodied
creature that enjoys those fruits.[658] All excellent kinds of sound,
form, taste, touch, and scent, are the fruits of acts, being attainable
in the region of acts (i.e., heaven). As regards, however, the fruits of
knowledge, man acquires them