es and
those eminent for knowledge and holiness, are all worthy of being offered
to the Supreme Deity and not unworthy of His acceptance.'"[1200]

"'Yudhishthira said, "The body and all sorts of dangers and calamities are
continually at war with each other. How, therefore, will a person who is
totally free from the desire of harming and who on this account will not
be able to act, succeed in keeping up his body?"[1201]

"'Bhishma said, "One should, when able, acquire merit and act in such a
way that one's body may not languish and suffer pain, and that death may
not come."'"[1202]

SECTION CCLXVI

"'Yudhishthira said, "Thou, O grandsire, art our highest preceptor in the
matter of all acts that are difficult of accomplishment (in consequence
of the commands of superiors on the one hand and the cruelty that is
involved in them on the other). I ask, how should one judge of an act in
respect of either one's obligation to do it or of abstaining from it? Is
it to be judged speedily or with delay?"

"'Bhishma said, "In this connection is cited the old story of what
occurred with respect to Chirakarin born in the race of Angirasa. Twice
blessed be the man that reflects long before he acts. One that reflects
long before he acts is certainly possessed of great intelligence. Such a
man never offends in respect of any act. There was once a man of great
wisdom, of the name of Chirakarin, who was the son of Gautama. Reflecting
for a long time upon every consideration connected with proposed acts, he
used to do all he had to do. He came to be called by the name of
Chirakarin because he used to reflect long upon all matters, to remain
awake for a long time, to sleep for a long time, and to take a long time
in setting himself to the accomplishment of such acts as he accomplished.
The clamour of being an idle man stuck to him. He was also regarded as a
foolish person, by every person of a light understanding and destitute of
foresight. On a certain occasion, witnessing an act of great fault in his
wife, the sire Gautama passing over his other children, commanded in
wrath this Chirakarin, saying, 'Slay thou this woman.' Having said these
words without much reflection, the learned Gautama, that foremost of
persons engaged in the practice of Yoga, that highly blessed ascetic,
departed for the woods. Having after a long while assented to it, saying,
'So be it,' Chirakarin, in consequence of his very nature, and owing to
his habit of