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Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O grandsire, tell me that by which neither sorrow nor pain nor death may affect me, so that I may not be subject to either.
Bhīṣma said.
O Bhārata, right here is cited this ancient history, the dialogue between Nārada and Samaṅga.
Nārada said.
You seem to bow with your chest, and with your arms as if with force; you always appear with a delighted mind, as if without sorrow.
I do not perceive even the slightest subtle agitation in you here. You act as if ever-content, self-possessed, and like a child.
Samaṅga said.
O bestower of honor, I know the principles of all beings — past, future, and what is to come; therefore, I am indeed not distressed.
I know the beginnings and also the arising of fruits again; in this world, the fruits are varied; therefore, I am not at all disheartened.
O Nārada, even those who are bottomless, unstable, moving, blind, and dull live; look at us, we too are living.
Even the gods with healthy bodies live only by what is ordained; both the strong and the weak, honor us in the same way.
Those who possess thousands live, those with hundreds also live; others live on vegetables—see, we too are living.
O Nārada, when we do not grieve, what could not be accomplished by dharma or by action? When pleasures or sorrows, which are subject to death, do not oppress us.
Men speak of wisdom to one who is receptive; for clarity of the senses is indeed rooted in wisdom. When the senses are confused and distressed, there can be no attainment of wisdom for one whose senses are deluded.
For the deluded, arrogance is nothing but delusion again; for the deluded, neither this world nor the next exists. Sorrows do not always persist, nor is happiness always gained.
One such as I, knowing the emotional and ever-changing nature of things, should never succumb to affliction. One should not pursue desired enjoyments or happiness, nor dwell on sorrow that has come.
A self-possessed person should not covet what belongs to others, nor delight in gains that are yet to come. He should not be elated by abundant wealth, nor should he be dejected by its loss.
Neither relatives, nor wealth, nor family lineage, nor learning, nor mantras, nor strength—though all strive to protect one from suffering, in the next world, only virtue leads to peace, not these others.
For one who is unrestrained, there is no intellect; nor is there happiness without discipline. Steadfastness and the abandonment of suffering—both, for us, are the source of happiness.
What is dear is indeed a source of joy, but joy increases arrogance. Arrogance leads only to hell; therefore, I abandon it.
I observe all these sorrows, fears, arrogances, delusions, and the states of pleasure and pain, as a witness in the world, arising from the activity of this body.
Having given up wealth and desire, and being free from sorrow and affliction, but having also completely abandoned craving and delusion, I wander this earth.
There is no fear here or hereafter, not from death, unrighteousness, greed, or from anywhere, just as for one who has drunk nectar.
O Brahman, I know this: Having performed great and imperishable austerity, by that, O Nārada, I have attained (the state), and thus sorrow does not afflict me.
