viour, and that of a usurer that is liberal
in conduct,[1192] the deities after careful consideration, had held to be
equal (in respect of their worthiness of acceptance). The Supreme Lord
of all creatures (viz., Brahman) then told them that they had committed
an error. The food of a liberal person is sanctified by Faith. The food,
however, of the person that is void of Faith is lost in consequence of
such want of Faith. The food of a liberal usurer is acceptable but not
the food of a miser.[1193] Only one person in the world, viz., he that is
bereft of Faith, is unfit to make offerings to the deities. The food of
only such a man is unfit to be eaten. This is the opinion of men
conversant with duties. Want of Faith is a high sin. Faith is a cleanser
of sins. Like a snake casting off its slough, the man of Faith succeeds
in casting off all his sin. The religion of abstention with Faith is
superior to all things considered sacred. Abstaining from all faults of
behaviour, he who betakes himself to Faith, becomes sanctified. What need
hath such a person of penances, or of conduct, or of endurance? Every man
has Faith. Faith, however, is of three kinds, viz., as affected by
Sattwa, by Rajas and by Tamas, and according to the kind of Faith that
one has, one is named. Persons endued with goodness and possessed of
insight into the true import of morality have thus laid down the subject
of duties. We have, as the result of our enquiries, got all this from the
sage Dharmadarsana. O thou of great wisdom, betake thyself to Faith, for
thou shalt then obtain that which is superior. He who has Faith (in the
declarations of the Srutis), and who acts according to their import (in
the belief that they are good for him), is certainly of righteous soul. O
Jajali, he who adheres to his own path (under the influence of Faith) is
certainly a superior person.'"

"'Bhishma continued, "After a short while, Tuladhara and Jajali, both of
whom had been endued with great wisdom, ascended to heaven and sported
there in great happiness,[1194] having reached their respective places
earned by their respective acts. Many truths of this kind were spoken of
by Tuladhara. That eminent person understood this religion (of abstention
from injury) completely. These eternal duties were accordingly proclaimed
by him. The regenerate Jajali, O son of Kunti, having heard these words
of celebrated energy, betook himself to tranquillity. In this way, many
truths of gra