e been
created in respect of all embodied creatures, viz., that which relates to
the attribute of Sattwa, that which relates to the attribute of Rajas,
and lastly that which relates to the attribute of Tamas, O Bharata. As
regards embodied creatures, O perpetuator of Kuru's race, that person is
the foremost who is wedded to the attribute of Sattwa, for, O tiger among
men, it is certain that he will attain to Emancipation. It is with the
aid of this very attribute of Sattwa that one endued therewith succeeds
in understanding the person that is conversant with Brahma. As regards
Emancipation, it is entirely dependent upon Narayana. Hence it is that
persons striving after Emancipation are regarded as made up of the
attribute of Sattwa. By thinking of Purushottama the foremost of Beings,
the man that is devoted with his whole soul to Narayana, acquires great
wisdom. Those persons that are endued with wisdom, that have betaken
themselves to the practices of Yatis and the religion of
Emancipation,--those persons of quenched thirst, always find that Hari
favours them with the fruition of their desire.[1905] That man subject to
birth (and death) upon whom Hari casts a kind eye should be known as
endued with the attribute of Sattwa and devoted to the acquisition of
Emancipation. The religion followed by a person that is devoted with his
whole soul to Narayana is regarded as similar or equal in merit to the
system of the Sankhyas. By adopting that religion one attains to the
highest end and attains to Emancipation which has Narayana for its soul.
That person upon whom Narayana looks with compassion succeeds in becoming
awakened.[1906] No one, O king, can become awakened through his own
wishes. That nature which partakes of both Rajas and Tamas is said to be
mixed. Hari never casts a kind eye upon the person subject to birth (and
death) that is endued with such a mixed nature and that has, on that
account, the principle of Pravritti in him. Only Brahma, the Grandsire of
the worlds, looks upon the person that is subject to birth and death
because of his mind being overwhelmed with the two inferior attributes of
Rajas and Tamas.[1907] Without doubt, the deities and the Rishis are
wedded to the attributes of Sattwa, O best of kings. But then they that
are divested of that attribute in its subtile form are always regarded to
be of mutable nature.'[1908]

"Janamejaya said, 'How can one that is fraught with the principle of
change succe