, becomes his inseparable associate.

546. What is meant is that if once the consequences of the acts of a past
life are exhausted, the creature (with respect to whom such exhaustion
takes place), is freed from all vicissitudes of life. Lest, however, such
creatures become emancipated, the orthodox view is that a balance is
always left of both merit and demerit, so that a new birth must take
place and the consequences of what is thus left as a balance must begin
to be enjoyed or suffered. This is not referred to here, but this is the
view of all orthodox Hindus.

547. The first word of this verse is diversely read. The reading I adopt
is samunnam meaning drenched in water. If it be samjuktam it would mean
united, with filth, of course. Another reading is samswinnam, meaning
'drenched with sweat.' Nilakantha explains upavasah here as equivalent to
the renunciation of all earthly possessions. Ordinarily it means 'fasts.'

548. This verse occurs in the Santi Parva. It is difficult to understand
in what sense it is said that the track of the virtuous cannot be marked.
Perhaps, it is intended that such men do not leave any history or record
behind them, they having abstained from all kinds of action good or bad.

549. Manasa means 'appertaining to the mind,' or rather, the Will. Mahat
literally means great.

550. Veda is here used in the sense of Knowledge and Power.

551. Sarvabhutatmakrit is explained by Nilakantha thus. He who is
Sarvabhutatman is again bhutakrit. On the authority of the Srutis the
commentator adds,--ye ete pancha akasadayodhatavo-dharana-karmanah sa eva
Brahma.

552. The word Devah here is evidently used in the sense of luminous or
shining ones and not in that of gods or deities.

553. The Rishis supposed that the pouring of water created the air
instead only of displaying it.

554. All created things are called Bhutas, but the five principal
elements, viz., fire, air, earth, water, and space, are especially called
Bhutas or Mahabhutas.

555. This is certainly curious as showing that the ancient Hindus knew
how to treat diseased plants and restore them to vigour.

556. K.P. Singha wrongly renders this verse. The Burdwan translator is
right.

557. Both the Bengal and the Bombay texts read bhutani. The correct
reading, however, appears to be bhutanam.

558. The word for duct is Srotas. It may also be rendered 'channel.' Very
like the principal artery or aorta.

559. Notwithstanding much th