Vaishampayana said Thereat, the great Yudhishthira said to

You think, O Partha, that there is nothing superior to wealth, and that the poor man can neither have heaven, nor happiness, nor the accomplishment of his wishes.

This however, is not true. Many persons are scen who have become successful through Sacrifice in the shape of Vedic study. Many sages are seen who by practising penances have acquired eternal regions for themselves.

They, O Dhananjaya who always follow the practice of the Rishis by leading the life of a Brahmacharin and who become acquainted with all duties, are regarded by the gods as Brahmanas.

O Dhananjaya, you should always know those Rishis who are devoted to the study of the Vedas and those who are devoted to the pursuit of true knowledge as persons who are truly virtuous.

O son of Pandu, all our acts should be shaped by those who are devoted to the acquisition of true knowledge. Surely it is the opinion of the Vaikhanasas, O powerful one.

The Ajas, the Prishnis, the Sikatas, O Bharata, Arunas, and the Ketavas, have all gone to heaven by the merit of Vedic study.

By performing those acts, O Dhananjaya, that are laid down in the Vedas, viz., battle, study of the Vedas, Sacrifices, the control of passion that is so difficult, one goes to heaven by the southern path of the Sun. I have, before this, told you that those very regions are reserved for persons who perform (Vedic) acts.

You will see, however, that the northern path is trodden by those who are devoted to Yoga. Those eternal and bright regions to which that path leads is reserved for Yogins.

Of these two, the northern path is spoken highly by those conversant with the Puranas. You should know that one gains heaven through contentment begets happiness.

There is nothing superior to contentment. To the Yogin who has controlled anger and joy, contentment is the greatest success.

Regarding it is cited the discourse of Yayati. Listening to that discourse one can withdraw all his desires like a tortoise drawing in all his limbs.

When one entertains no fear of anything, when one is not feared by anything when one entertains no desire, when one bears no hate, then is one said to have attained to the dignity of Brahma.

When one does not commit sin by any creature, in deed, thought, or word, one is then said to have attained to Brahma.

When one has governed his pride and folly, and withdrawn himself from all attachments, it is then that pious man of controlled soul becomes fit for attaining to that emancipation which is brought about by the annihilation of personal existence.

Listen now to me with rapt attention, O son of Pritha, as I say it to you. Some seek virtue; some, good conduct, and some, wealth.

One may desire wealth. The abandonment, however, of such desire is better for himn. There are many shortcomings attached to wealth and, therefore, to those religious acts that are performed with wealth.

We have seen it with our own eyes. You should also see this. He that desires wealth finds it very difficult to leave off that which should by all means be abandoned.

Good deeds are very rare in those who collect riches. It is said that wealth can never be acquired without injuring others, and that, when acquired, it is attended with various troubles.

A weak minded person, disregarding the fear of repentance, oppresses others, tempted by even a little wealth, not knowing all while of the sin Brahmanicide that he incurs by his acts.

Acquiring wealth which is so difficult of acquisition, one burns with grief if he has to give a part of it, even if it be, to his servants,-tantamount to what he would actually feel if he is robbed by others. If, on the other hand, one does not distribute his wealth, he becomes an object of censure.

One, however, that has no wealth, is never blamed. Forsaking all attachments, such a person can become happy in all respects by living upon what little he may get as alms. No one, however, can be happy by acquiring riches.

Regarding it certain verses relating to Sacrifices are recited by persons well read in ancient scriptures.

Wealth was created by the Creator for celebrating Sacrifices, and man was created by hinn for protecting that wealth and performing Sacrifices. For this, all wealth should be devoted to Sacrifices. It is not proper that it should be spent for enjoyments.

The Creator gives wealth to mortals for the sake of Sacrifices. Know this, O Son of Kunti, foremost of all wealthy persons.

Therefore the wise think that wealth, forsooth, is nobody's on Earth. One should celebrate Sacrifices with it and give it away with a confident heart.

One should make gift of what he has acquired, and not waste or spend it in gratifying his desire of enjoyment. What use is there in hoarding up wealth when proper objects exist in which to spend it.

Those foolish people who give away (wealth) to men who have neglected the duties of their order, have to live hereafter for a hundred years on ordure and dirt.

Being unable to the discriminate between the deserving and the undeserving, men give to the undeserving and refrain from giving to the deserving. For this reason the administration of charity is difficult.

These are the two faults with wealth even when acquired, viz., gift to an undeserving person and abstaining to give to a deserving man.