12.111
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O grandsire, tell me that means by which one may overcome the various difficulties that arise among beings afflicted by different conditions.
Bhīṣma said.
Those twice-born who live in the prescribed āśramas as instructed, with self-control, overcome difficulties.
Those who do not recite out of hypocrisy, whose conduct is restrained, and who restrain sense-objects, they cross over difficulties.
Those who always welcome guests, are ever free from envy, and are always devoted to self-study, they overcome all difficulties.
Those who are well-versed in dharma, who follow the conduct of their mother and father and avoid sleeping during the day, overcome all difficulties.
Those who conduct themselves with their own wives, in righteousness and truth, devoted to Agnihotra, such good people overcome difficulties.
Kings who, not driven by greed, protect their domains while enveloped by passion, are able to overcome great difficulties.
Those heroes who, in battle, abandon the fear that comes from death and seek victory through righteousness, are the ones who overcome even the greatest obstacles.
Those who neither commit sins by action, mind, or speech, and who have renounced inflicting punishment on beings, cross over all difficulties.
Those who speak the truth even at the risk of their lives, and who become an authority for others, overcome all difficulties.
Brāhmaṇas who refrain from self-study during prohibited times, but are always devoted to great austerity, overcome all difficulties.
Those whose actions are free from deceit, whose words are truthful, and whose purposes are righteous, they overcome difficulties.
Those who practice austerity and celibacy from youth, and who are initiated in the vow of knowledge and the Veda, overcome all difficulties.
Those whose passion and darkness are completely calmed, who are established in truth, those great souls cross over all difficulties.
Those from whom no one is afraid, and who themselves do not fear anyone; for whom the world is like themselves, they overcome all difficulties.
The best of men, who are not troubled by another's wife, who are virtuous, and who abstain from coarse food, overcome all difficulties.
Those who have faith and self-restraint, who bow to all gods and listen to all dharmas, they cross over all difficulties.
Those who do not seek honour for themselves, who honour others, and who, even when honoured, do not become proud, they overcome all difficulties.
Those who, desiring progeny, perform śrāddha rites on the proper lunar days with a very pure mind, overcome all difficulties.
Those who never give rise to anger, who pacify those who are angry, and who do not get angry with their servants, overcome all difficulties.
Those humans who always avoid honey, meat, and liquor from birth cross over difficulties.
Those whose food is for travel, whose sexual union is for progeny, and whose speech is for truthfulness, they overcome all difficulties.
Nārāyaṇa is the lord, the origin and dissolution of all beings in the world; the devotees who worship Nārāyaṇa cross over all difficulties.
This one, who has eyes like red lotuses, wears yellow garments, is mighty-armed, is your friend, brother, companion, and relative—Acyuta (Krishna).
Govinda, the Supreme Person, whose nature is inconceivable, is the Lord who, if He so desires, could wrap all these worlds as easily as one would wrap them in leather.
O king, this Vaikuṇṭha, the supreme person, who is unassailable, stands established in what is dear and beneficial to the victorious one, and is your own.
Those who take refuge in Nārāyaṇa Hari here with devotion, they cross over all difficulties here; I have no doubt about this.
Those who recite, make others hear, and teach the means of overcoming difficulties to the Brāhmaṇas, themselves overcome difficulties.
Thus, O sinless one, I have declared to you the enumeration of duties, by which a man may overcome difficulties both here and in the next world.
