cluded under the quality of
Goodness), constitute as it were the seed from which all embodied
creatures have grown. Amongst these, the attribute of Goodness alone is
the cause through which persons of cleansed souls succeed in attaining to
Emancipation. A person of cleansed soul, therefore, should abandon all
the qualities born of Passion and Darkness. Then again, when the quality
of Goodness becomes freed from those of Passion and Darkness, it becomes
more resplendent still. Some say that sacrifices and other acts performed
with the aid of mantras, and which certainly contribute to the
purification of the Soul, are evil or cruel acts. (This view is not
correct). On the other hand, those acts are the chief means for
dissociating the Soul from all worldly attachments, and for the
observance of the religion of tranquillity. Through the influence of the
qualities born of Passion, all unrighteous acts are performed, and all
acts fraught with earthly purposes as also all such acts as spring from
desire are accomplished. Through qualities born of Darkness, one does all
acts fraught with cupidity and springing from wrath. In consequence of
the attribute of Darkness, one embraces sleep and procrastination and
becomes addicted to all acts of cruelty and carnal pleasure. That person,
however, who, possessed of faith and scriptural knowledge, is observant
of the attribute of Goodness, attends only to all good things, and
becomes endued with (moral) beauty and soul free from every taint."'"

SECTION CCXIII

"'Bhishma said, "From the attribute of Passion arises delusion or loss of
judgment. From the attribute of Darkness, O bull of Bharata's race, arise
wrath and cupidity and fear and pride. When all these are destroyed, one
becomes pure. By obtaining purity, a person succeeds in arriving at the
knowledge of the Supreme Soul which is resplendent with effulgence,
incapable of deterioration, without change, pervading all things, having
the unmanifest for his refuge, and the foremost of all the deities.
Invested in His maya, men fall away from knowledge and become senseless,
and in consequence of their knowledge being darkened, yield to
wrath.[736] From wrath, they become subject to desire. From desire spring
cupidity and delusion and vanity and pride and selfishness. From such
selfishness proceeds various kinds of acts.[737] From acts spring diverse
bonds of affection and from those bonds of affection spring sorrow or
misery and