Hearing Javali's words, Rama having truth for prowess, by help of an
exceedingly subtle intellect uninfluenced (under the exhortations of
that sage), said, "What thou, wishing for my welfare, hast dwelt upon,
though wearing the guise of a good action, is really not such; and
though appearing to be beneficent, is really calculaled to entail
misery. The person that with his sinful acts sticking to him, walketh
astray, as well as he that holdeth up (unto others) different patterns
of character (from those recommended by scripture), doth not win honor
with the good. One's character (fashioned according to scripture) shows
whether one is high-born or base, heroic or vainly priding himself on
his manliness, pure or impure. (But by adopting the code of conduct
inculcated by thee), a mean character may appear as a noble one, one
bereft of purity may appear pure, an inauspicious individual may seem
auspicious, and one of vile ways may appear honest. If I adopt this
unrighteous course, calculated to produce confusion of castes, and do
acts not recognised by scripture, I shall, renouncing good, have to reap
only evil. Then what man possessed of consciousness and capable of
discriminating between right and wrong, shall honor me, given to wicked
ways and deserving of universal reprehension? Whose is this course (that
thou askest me to follow)? And by what way shall I attain heaven, by
following the present course, which would make me give up my vow? When I
have (first) myself set up desire as my standard of action, the entire
body of the people shall follow me: subjects take to the ways that have
been adopted by their sovereigns. This eternal regal morality founded in
kindness towards the subjects, is verily true. Hence a kingdom is
essentially based upon truth; and this world itself is established in
truth. Saints and celestials for certain regard truth alone. In this
world a truthful person attains the regions of Brahma. Untruthful
persons harass people as much as serpents. In this world virtue, which
is said to be the root of everything, is itself established in truth. In
this world, truth is the Lord; in truth is established righteousness.
Everything hath truth for its basis. No condition is superior to truth.
The Veda, which inculcates gift, sacrifice, _homa_, and asceticism, is
based on truth. One protects men, another his family; one is plunged in
hell,--another is honored in heaven. Why should I not then obey the
mandate of my father? My father was of truthful promise and of righteous
ways; and with the object of observing his promise, he laid on me this
(for faithful performance). Having promised to my superior with an oath,
I shall never through covetuousness or forgetfulness or pride rive the
bridge of truth. We have heard that the gods and the _Pitris_ do not
accept offerings from one inclined to untruth, or who is unsteady and of
volatile faculties. This duty of maintaining truth, whose influence
radiates all over one's soul, I certainly find to be the prime one; and
this burthen hath (ere this) been borne by worthy people. And it is for
this that I reverence the same. I abjure that Kshatriya morality which,
wearing the garb of righteousness, is in fact impiety, and which is
pursued by the low-minded, or the wicked, or the covetuous, or the
sinful. A person commits a sin by means of his _physique_, but after he
hath accurately cast it in his mind; and he hath also spoken an untruth
with his tongue. Thus a sin is threefold. The earth and fame and renown
and auspiciousness pay court unto the truthful person. The good follow
truth,--therefore even truth is to be sought (by all). Therefore the
seemingly excellent thing that thou, after having well ascertained it,
hast said unto me in words informed with reason--'Thou hadst rather do
this'--appears to me wanting in nobility. How, after having promised
unto my superior this exile of mine, shall I act up to Bharata's words,
setting aside those of my superior? I having remained firm in the
promise I had made unto my superior, that noble lady, Kaikeyi, became
excceedingly delighted. Living in the forest, pure, with regulated fare,
I shall, propitiating the gods and the Pitris with fruits, flowers and
roots, (fulfil my vow). Satisfying the five classes,[192] I shall,
retaining my simplicity and my religious faith, and being able to
distinguish between right and wrong, pass away the term (of banishment).
Having come to this scene of action, one should do that which is proper.
Even Agni and Vayu and Soma reap the fruits of their own acts. Having
acquired the appellation of Satakratu, the sovereign of the celestials
hath gone to heaven; and, having performed rigid austerities, the
Maharshis have attained the celestial regions." Having heard of the
reasons couched in that atheistical speech which he could not allow to
pass without stricture, that one of fierce energy, the king's son,
censuring what Javali had said, again spoke, "Truth, righteousness,
prowess, kindness to creatures, fair spokenness, and worship of the
twice-born ones, gods and guests, these have by the pious been styled
the ways to heaven. Having duly heard that these are capable of
conferring the _summum bonum_, and also come to the same conclusion by
reasoning, Vipras, adequately and competely observing morality with the
utmost care, are eagerly desirous of attaining those regions. I blame
this act of my father's, viz.-- that he took (for his priest) one of
perverse understanding, who rangeth by help of such an intellect--who is
frightfully atheistic, and who hath swerved from the path of
righteousness. As a thief is, so is a Buddha, and know that in this
matter, an atheist is in a like predicament. Therefore, such an one,
when capable of being punished like a thief for the good of the people,
should be punished like a thief; and let no Brahmana ever speak with an
atheist. Other Brahmanas than thyself, superior to thee, have, serving
this world as well as the next, performed various exellent acts.
Therefore those Brahmanas, amen, who have spared life and in other ways
practised morality, and have also given away in charity, performed
austerities and served others, (perform sacrifices in consonance with
Vedas). And principal ascetics engaged in religion, surrounded by the
good, possessed of energy, having charity for their foremost attribute,
void of envy, and their hearts free from all stain,-- are honored in
this world." When the magnanimous Rama of undiminished strength had
wrathfully said this, that Vipra with supplications again spoke words
fraught with morality and high spiritual truth. I do not speak the
language of atheists; nor am I an atheist; nor yet is it true that there
is nothing (hereafter). On the occasion of things having reference to
the next world being performed, I am again a believer; and on the
occasion of things' connection with this world being taken in hand, I am
an atheist once again. O Rama, the time has gradually drawn nigh when
for the purpose of making thee turn back, it is necessary that I should
speak the language of atheism. But pacifying thee, I have (again) spoken
this (_i.e._ I am a believer).
[192] _Parakramam_--The commentator says that the word means,
Chandrayana and other rites.--T.