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BHAGAVAD GUNA DARPANA
 
of charity), which are prescribed to be performed by injunc.
tions contained in Sruti, Singiti, etc., as leading to worldly and
heavenly benefits as well as to eterna! salvation.
 
In entirety-completely to the extent to which it extends.
Purificatory acts-such as penance, pilgrimage to holy
 
places.
 
All everything connected with them-i.e., the benefits to
be derived by performing them, their divisions and their
characteristics and those who have the authority to perform
them.
 
Yudhishthira-himself the son of the god of dharma.
The son of Santanu- Bhishma is the son of Santanu by
Ganga and is thus of illustrious birth.
 
on,
 
Addressed again-The question is put to learn what
exactly is considered by Bhishma as the most beneficial. In
fact, this is known from the nature of the question put later
What is the dharma which is considered by you to be
the best of all dharmas?" His interest was sincere to follow
the course of conduct of great men. For good men seek to
know the stand taken by the preceptors and take delight in
what is considered by them as the truth and as beneficial
conduct. They do not do any action merely because it is laid
down by some authority. (Sanction by an authoritative sästra
is not enough; it must be agreed to and followed by great and
good men).
 
We have already mentioned:-"An intelligent person
should first examine the pramana (authoritative source of
knowledge) and should take up such objects of knowledge as
are for his benefit." They are of two kinds-upāya, the means,
and upeya, the object cr fruit derived. Of such fruits, there
are three kinds: (1) what is liked, (2) more liked and (3) most
liked. Similarly, in respect of means also, there are three
kinds the good, the better and the best.
 
In respect of the fruits (of actions), they are subject to the
following infirmities-birth, growth, change and end, etc.; and
(if the fruit is sentient) they are further subject to the charac-
taristics of sentient beings like pain, ignorance, attachment,
 
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