13.007
Description of the results of actions.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O best among the great, O bull among the Bharatas, as I am asking, declare to me the fruits of all my auspicious actions. (13-7-1)
Bhishma said.
O Yudhiṣṭhira, listen to that secret of the sages: the path which is attained after death and has long been desired. (13-7-2)
Whoever performs whatever action with whichever body, with that very body he enjoys the corresponding fruit. (13-7-3)
Whatever good or bad actions one performs in any particular state, in that very state, in that very condition, one experiences the results in each birth. (13-7-4)
The action performed here by the five senses never perishes. They are always witnesses of it, and the sixth, the self, is likewise so. (13-7-5)
He should offer the eye, the mind, speech, and truthful speech; he should follow and worship; such a sacrifice is said to have five gifts. (13-7-6)
Whoever gives unspoiled food on the road to a weary traveler whom he has not seen before, his merit is great. (13-7-7)
Houses and beds of those lying on the bare ground, and garments and ornaments made of bark and rags. (13-7-8)
The vehicles, seats, and conveyances of one whose wealth is austerity, who is united with the self in yoga, and who has subdued the fires, are said to be royal heroism. (13-7-9)
When one abstains from juices, good fortune follows; when one abstains from meat, one obtains animals and sons. (13-7-10)
He who hangs with his head downwards, who lives without clothing, and who always sleeps alone, attains the desired state. (13-7-11)
One should offer water for washing feet, a seat, a lamp, food, and shelter for the worship of a guest; such a sacrifice is said to have five offerings. (13-7-12)
For one who worships the hero-seat, hero-bed, and hero-place, his worlds are indeed imperishable and attain all desires. (13-7-13)
O lord of men, one should obtain wealth through giving, command through silence, enjoyments through austerity, and life through celibacy. (13-7-14)
One who eats fruits and roots attains form, prosperity, health, non-violence, and fruit; the kingdom belongs to those who eat fruits and roots, and heaven likewise to those who eat leaves. (13-7-15)
It is said that from fasting unto death, one attains happiness everywhere in the kingdom. By truth, one obtains heaven; by consecration, an excellent family. (13-7-16)
A person wealthy in cows, who undertakes the vow of eating only vegetables, goes to heaven even if subsisting on grass. Women, after bathing three times and subsisting on air, may attain the fruit of sacrifice. (13-7-17)
A twice-born who subsists on water, maintains perpetual fire, and is purified, attains a kingdom in the desert and the imperishable heaven. (13-7-18)
O king, one who has performed fasting, initiation, and anointing for twelve years becomes distinguished from the place of heroes. (13-7-19)
By studying all the Vedas, one is instantly freed from suffering. By practising dharma in the mind, one can attain the heavenly world. (13-7-20)
That craving, which is hard to give up by those with wicked minds, which does not age even as the person ages, which is that fatal disease—happiness belongs to the one who abandons that thirst. (13-7-21)
Just as a calf finds its mother among thousands of cows, so too, previously performed actions follow the doer. (13-7-22)
Just as flowers and fruits, without being impelled, do not go beyond their own time, so too is action performed in the past. (13-7-23)
The hair and teeth of the aging person decay; the eyes and ears also deteriorate, but only desire does not grow old. (13-7-24)
He who pleases his father, pleases Prajapati; he who pleases his mother, worships the Earth; he who pleases his preceptor, by him Brahman is worshipped. (13-7-25)
All the dharmas of that person who respects these three are respected; but for one who does not respect these, all his actions are fruitless. (13-7-26)
Vaiśampāyana said.
When they heard that speech of Bhīṣma, the leading Kurus were astonished; then, with delighted minds and full of affection, they became so. (13-7-27)
Whatever is rendered vain in the mantra when applied, whatever is rendered vain in Soma when poured, and whatever is rendered vain in the fire when offered—all of that becomes vain when merely spoken (13-7-28).
Thus, O mighty one, I have spoken this as told by the sage. What more do you wish to hear regarding the attainment of auspicious and inauspicious results? (13-7-29)
