Shounaka Replies with the Path of Renunciation

Shounaka heard Yudhishthira's defense of the householder's life. Then he answered. "Alas! It is a great misery that the world is full of contradictions. The evil find satisfaction in that which scares the good. Driven by delusion and attachment, slaves to gratification of their senses, foolish men perform many acts for the sake of the penis and the stomach. Like a charioteer who has lost control over evil and wild horses, even sensible men lose their bearing and are led astray by their senses." When any of the six senses comes close to an object, he explained, preconceived desire springs up in the mind and manifests itself through them. When the mind is directed towards enjoying the object of the senses, attachment and resolution are created. That resolution is the seed of desire towards an object, and pierced, one falls into the flames of avarice, like a moth in its greed for light. "Thus, immersed in the great delusion of happiness and deluded by the desire for pleasure and food, he does not know his own self. He descends on earth, from one womb to another. As a result of ignorance, karma, and thirst, he is whirled around in a wheel, changing from one being to another — from Brahma to a blade of grass, born repeatedly in water, on the ground, and in the sky." This, Shounaka said, is the path of those who don't know. Then he described the path of those who do. "This is the way of those who are always devoted to superior dharma and seek to free themselves. These are the words of the Vedas. Act, but be detached from the act. According to this, one should not practise any dharma because of desire." There is an eightfold path towards dharma: sacrifices, studying, gifts, austerities, truthfulness, forbearance, self-control, and lack of avarice. Of these, the first four are established in pitriyana (the path of the ancestors, concerned with ritual and worldly results). Therefore, one should always act because a deed has to be done, not because of desire. The second four represent devayana (the path of the gods), always followed by those who are virtuous. One whose soul is pure should always travel along these eight paths — through correct resolution and association, correct deprivation of the senses, correct observance of specific vows, correct serving of superiors, correct regulation of food, correct studying and dissemination, correct renunciation of rituals, and correct restraining of thoughts. Those who have conquered life perform their deeds in this way. It is because they are united with the powers of yoga and are bereft of attachment and hatred that gods like the Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Adityas, the Vasus, and the Ashvins are able to sustain beings and possess prosperity. "O Kounteya! O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Like them, you must attain great equanimity. You must seek to obtain success in austerities and in yoga. Through your deeds, you have already obtained success for your father and your mother. So that you can sustain the brahmanas, you must now seek success in your austerities. Those who obtain such success can obtain whatever they wish because of that. Therefore, practise austerities. Accomplish everything that your soul desires."