Yudhishthira said Wishing to die and wishing to live many persons surrender their lives in the great sacrifice (of battle). Tell me O grandfather what is the end that these attain to.

To give up life in battle is fraught with sorrow for men. O you of great wisdom you know that to give up life if difficult for men whether they are rich or poor or are in happiness or misery. In my opinion you are gifted with omniscience. Do you tell me the reason of this.

Bhishma said In prosperity or adversity in weal or woe, living creatures, O king, coming into this world, live according to a particular method.

Listen to me as I explain the reason to you. The question you have put to me is indeed, excellent, O Yudhishthira!

Regarding it, О king, I shall explain to you the old discourse that took place formerly between the Dvaipayana Rishi and a crawling worm.

Formerly when that learned Brahmana, viz., the Krishna Dvaipayana having identified himself with Brahma, roamed over the world, he saw on a road over which cars used to pass a worm moving quickly.

The Rishi knew the of every creature and the language of every animal, Gifted with omniscience, he addressed the worm he saw in these words. course

Vyasa said O worm, you appear to be greatly alarmed and to be in great haste. Tell me, where do you run and whence have you been afraid?

The worm said I am stricken with fear on hearing the rattle of that large car. O you of great intelligence, it makes a fearful roar. It is almost come.

The sound is heard. Will it not kill me? I am flying away for this, I hear the sound of the bulls.

They are breathing hard under the whip of the driver, as they are carrying the heavy load. I hear also the various sound made by the men who are driving the bulls.

Creatures which like us are born as worms, cannot bear such sounds. It is therefore that I am flying from this situation of great fright.

Death is considered by all creatures as painful. Life is an acquisition difficult to make. Hence, I fly away in fear, I do not wish to pass from a state of weal to one of woe.

Bhishma said O worm, whence can be your happiness? You belong to the intermediate order of being. I think death would be of happiness to you.

Sound touch, taste, scent, and various kinds of excellent enjoyments are unknown to you, O worm! I think death will prove a benefit to you.

The Worm said A living creature however circumstanced he may be becomes attached to it. In even this order of being I am happy, I think, O you of great wisdom! It is for this that I wish to live.

In this condition every object of enjoyment exists for me according to the necessity of my body. Human beings and those creatures which originate from immobile objects have different enjoyments.

In my former life I was a human being. O powerful one, I was a wealthy Shudra. I was not devoted to the Brahmanas. I was cruel, vile in conduct, and a usurer.

I was harsh in speech. I considered cunning as wisdom. I hated all creatures. Taking advantage of pretexts in agreements made between myself and others I used always to take away what belonged to others.

Without feeding servants and guests arrived at my house, I used to fill, when hungry, my own stomach, proud, covetous of good food, cruel as I was.

Greedy as I was of riches, I never dedicated, with faith and respect any food to the celestials and the departed Manes, although duty required me to dedicate food to them.

Those men who moved by fear, came to me, for seeking my help, I sent adrift without giving them any protection. I did not extend my help to those who came to me with prayers for removing their fear.

I used to feel unreasonable envy at seeing other people's riches and corn, and wives held dear by them, and articles of drink, and good palaces.

Seeing the happiness of other I was filled with envy and I always wished them poverty. Acting thus which promised to crown my own wishes with fruition, I sought to destroy the virtue, riches, and pleasures of other people.

In that past life of mine, I committed various deeds moved by cruelty and such other passions. Recollecting those deeds I am filled with repentance and grief, as one is filled with grief at the loss of his dear son.

On account of those deeds of mine, I do not know what the fruits are of good deeds. I, however, adored my old mother and on one occasion adored a Brahmana.

Gifted with birth and accomplishments, that Brahmana, while travelling, came to my house once as a guest. I received him with respectful hospitality. One account of the merit of that deed my memory has not forsaken me.

I think that on account of that deed, I shall once more succeed in regaining happiness. O you having asceticism for wealth you know everything, Tell me please what is for my behoof.