'
"Yayati replied to this, 'It is said that sin destroyeth the merits of
four virtuous acts. Vanity containeth the element of that which leadeth to
hell. The virtuous never follow in the footsteps of the vicious. They act
in such a way that their religious merit always increaseth. I myself had
great religious merit, but all that, however, is gone. I will scarcely be
able to regain it even by my best exertions. Beholding my fate, he that is
bent upon (achieving) his own good, will certainly suppress vanity. He who
having acquired great performeth meritorious sacrifices, who having
acquired all kinds of learning remaineth humble, and who having studied
the entire Vedas devoteth himself to asceticism with a heart withdrawn
from all mundane enjoyments, goeth to heaven. None should exult in having
acquired great wealth. None should be vain of having studied the entire
Vedas. In the world men are of different dispositions. Destiny is supreme.
Both power and exertion are all fruitless. Knowing Destiny to be all-
powerful, the wise, whatever their portions may be, should neither exult
nor boast. When creatures know that their weal and woe are dependent on
Destiny and not on their own exertion or power, they should neither grieve
nor exult, remembering that Destiny is all powerful. The wise should ever
live contented, neither grieving at woe nor exulting at weal. When Destiny
is supreme, both grief and exultation are one. O Ashtaka, I never suffer
myself to be overcome by fear, nor do I ever entertain grief, knowing for
certain that I shall be in the world what the great disposer of all hath
ordained.
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