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Yudhiṣṭhira said.
What kind of character, conduct, knowledge, and ultimate goal enables one to attain the supreme and eternal state of Brahman beyond nature?
Bhīṣma said.
One who is disciplined in the duties of liberation, eats lightly, and has mastered the senses attains the supreme and eternal state of Brahman, which is beyond nature.
Here too, O Bhārata, an ancient story is told: the conversation between Jaigīṣavya and Asita.
Asita Devala spoke to the descendant of Jīgīṣu, who was greatly wise, versed in dharma and tradition, and who neither became angry nor elated.
You are neither pleased by honor nor angered by censure. What is this wisdom of yours, where does it come from, and what is its ultimate purpose?
Thus addressed by him, the great ascetic spoke to him a pure and unambiguous speech filled with meaningful words.
O Brahmin, I shall now fully explain to you that supreme state, the highest goal, and the peace attained by those who perform meritorious deeds, about which you have indeed inquired.
O Devala, one should always remain equal towards those who blame and those who praise. Those who conceal and those who act rightly, one should treat their agreement and good deeds equally.
The wise do not wish to speak words to a speaker who is attached to hostility, nor do they wish to retaliate against a killer.
They do not lament over what has not been attained; they act according to what is timely. They do not grieve for what is past, nor do they concern themselves with those things.
O Devala, those who are powerful and have undertaken vows act as appropriate for those who have arrived and for the venerable, in matters of desire.
Those matured in knowledge, greatly wise, who have conquered anger and their senses, do not offend anyone by mind, action, or speech.
Those who are free from envy never harm one another, nor are the steadfast ever troubled by the prosperity of others.
Those who never excessively speak blame or praise of others, and who are never disturbed by either blame or praise at any time.
Those who are completely tranquil from all sides and engaged in the welfare of all beings neither become angry nor elated, nor do they commit any wrong towards anyone. Having freed themselves from the knots of the heart, they move about as they please, in comfort.
Those who have no relatives, and who are not relatives of others, and who have no enemies, and who are not enemies of anyone.
O best of twice-born, those mortals who act thus always live happily, for the knowers of dharma follow only dharma. But those who deviate from this path, they both rejoice and are troubled.
Having taken to that path, how could I feel envy towards anyone? Whether I am blamed or praised, for what reason would I rejoice?
Humans pursue whatever path they desire. For me, there will be neither decline nor growth due to blame or praise.
A wise person who knows the truth should accept insult as if it were nectar, and should always avoid honor as if it were poison.
The unrecognized person sleeps happily both here and in the next world; but the one who despises others, though freed from all sins, is bound.
Those wise people who seek the highest goal, by following this vow, attain happiness and prosperity.
He who has conquered his senses, having gathered all sacrifices from everywhere, attains the supreme and eternal state of Brahman, which is beyond nature.
Neither gods, nor gandharvas, nor piśācas, nor rākṣasas can follow the path of one who has attained the supreme goal.
