Yudhishthira said I know both the Vedas and the scriptures that lead to the attainment of Brahma. In the Vedas there are both kinds of precepts, viz., those that preach action and those that preach the renouncement of action,

The scriptures are conflicting and their conclusions are based upon reasons. The truth of the mantras is duly known to me.

You are conversant only with weapons and the practices of heroes. You are unable to understand correctly the meaning of the scriptures.

If you were really acquainted with duty, then you could have understood that words like these ought not to have been addressed to me by one possessing the true knowledge of the scriptures and acquainted with the truths of religion.

What, however, you have said to me out of fraternal affection, has been fit and proper, O son of Kunti. I am, therefore, gratified with thee, O Arjuna.

There is no one equal to you in the three worlds in all duties connected with battle and in skill in various kinds of acts,

You are, therefore, competent to speak of the niceties of those subjects, that are not understood by others. You should not, however, O Dhananjaya, doubt my intelligence.

You are, a master of the science of battle, but you have never waited upon the aged. You know not the conclusions arrived at by those that have studied the subject briefly and fully. The conclusion of intelligent men who want salvation, is that of ascetic penances, renunciation, and knowledge of Brahma, the second is superior to the first, and the third is superior to the second.

Your conclusion, that there is nothing superior to wealth, is a mistake. I will convince you of it, so that you may not again regard wealth in that light.

All righteous men are seen to be devoted to ascetic penances and the study of the Vedas, The Rishis also, that have many eternal regions for them, enjoy the merit of penances.

Others possessed equanimity of soul, having no enemies, and dwelling in the forest have, through penances and study of the Vedas, proceeded to heaven.

By controlling desire for worldly objects and casting off the darkness of sin, pious men proceed northward to the regions reserved for those who practise Renunciation.

The path that lies to the south and leads to regions of light is reserved for men devoted to action. These are acquired by persons subject to birth and death.

That end, however, which persons who wishing to have salvation cannot be described. Yoga is the best means for attaining to it. It is not easy to explain it.

Those that are learned live, meditating on the scriptures for finding out what is unreal. They, however, jump at this and that in the belief that the object of their search exists in this and that.

Having studied, however, the Vedas the Aranyakas, and the other scriptures, they miss the real like men failing to find solid timber in an uprooted Banana plant.

There are some who, disbelieving in its oneness, consider the Soul, dwelling in the physical body consisting of the five elements, possessing the attributes of desire and hatred.

Unseen by the eye, highly subtile, and indescribable by words, it goes on in a round (of rebirths) among the creatures of the Earth, keeping before it that which is the root of action.

Having made the Soul gradually come towards itself which is the root of all bliss, having controlled all mental desires, and having cast off all kinds of action, one may become perfectly independent and happy.

When there is such a path that is followed by the righteous and that is attainable by Knowledge, why, O Arjuna, do you speak highly of wealth which is full of all sorts of dangers?

Men of olden times who were conversant with the scriptures, O Bharata,-men who were always engaged in gifts and sacrifices and action, held this view, O Bharata.

There are some fools who, accomplished in the science of logic, deny the existence of the Soul, for the strength of their convictions of a pristine life. It is very difficult to make them accept this truth about final liberation.

Those wicked men, though highly learned, travel all over the Earth, delivering lectures in assemblies, and deprecating the true doctrine about liberation.

O Partha, who else can understand what we do not understand? Similarly they do not succeed in knowing those wise and pious persons who are truly great and who are wellread in the scriptures.

O son of Kunti, men acquainted with truth attain to Brahma by asceticism and intelligence, and great happiness by Renunciation.