d from
attachments?"

"'Bhishma said, "I shall in this connection recite to thee the old
narrative that was uttered by Arishtanemi unto Sagara who had sought his
counsel.

"'"Sagara said, 'What is that good, O Brahmana, by doing which one may
enjoy felicity here? How, indeed, may one avoid grief and agitation? I
wish to know all this!'"

"'Bhishma continued, "Thus addressed by Sagara, Arishtanemi of Tarkshya's
race, conversant with all the scriptures, regarding the questioner to be
every way deserving of his instructions, said these words,[1480] 'The
felicity of Emancipation is true felicity in the world. The man of
ignorance knows it not, attached as he is to children and animals and
possessed of wealth and corn. An understanding that is attached to
worldly objects and a mind suffering from thirst,--these two baffle all
skilful treatment. The ignorant man who is bound in the chains of
affection is incapable of acquiring Emancipation.[1481] I shall presently
speak to thee of all the bonds that spring from the affections. Hear them
with attention. Indeed, they are capable of being heard with profit by
one that is possessed of knowledge. Having procreated children in due
time and married them when they become young men, and having ascertained
them to be competent for earning their livelihood, do thou free thyself
from all attachments and rove about in happiness. When thou seest thy
dearly-cherished wife grown old in years and attached to the son she has
brought forth, do thou leave her in time, keeping in view the highest
object of acquisition (viz., Emancipation). Whether thou obtainest a son
or not, having during the first years of thy life duly enjoyed with thy
senses the objects that are addressed to them, free thyself from
attachments and rove about in happiness. Having indulged the senses with
their objects, thou shouldst suppress the desire of further indulging
them. Freeing thyself then from attachments, thou shouldst rove in
felicity, contenting thyself with what is obtained without effort and
previous calculation, and casting an equal eye upon all creatures and
objects.[1482] Thus, O son, have I told thee in brief (of what the way is
for freeing thyself from attachments). Hear me now, for I shall presently
tell thee, in detail, the desirability of the acquisition of
Emancipation.[1483] Those persons who live in this world freed from
attachments and fear, succeed in obtaining happiness. Those persons,
however