Novembeu, 1873.] THE NALADIYAR. 327 to right conduct, commit, associating in the time of ignorance with those who know the way of virtue, vanish as the dewdrops do from the blades of grass as soon as the sun has become hot. 2. Know ye the way of virtue. Fear ye death. Bear with the harsh words of others. Restrain deccitfulness. Hate ye the friendship of the wicked. Ever obtain instruction at the mouth of the great. 3. Since separations from friends, grievous disease, and death are close at hand to all who possess a body, let my soul unite with the truly learned, who are convinced that the metempsychosis, which commenced ages ago, is a great evil. 4. If one can obtain the privilege of living always with men of good disposition in friendship, who constantly perform acts of virtue through a succession of births, though that succession is affliction, no one will despise it when they have considered the matter. 5. The water that runs from the sink when it reaches great waters will become a Tirtha, even its name being changed. Thinking of this, even those who have not family greatness will stand as a rock associating with the good, who have virtue and greatness. 6. Even the hare in the wide, beauteous, and sublime heavens, since it is seen in the moon with refulgent beams, will be adored (by men). And in like manner even those who are without any dignity (of their own), if they obtain the love of the good, who are as mountains of virtue, will liave dignity. 7. Water when mixed with milk will become milk, not remaining water. Will it exhibit the appearance of water ? In like manner, if you consider it, the meanness of the mean when united with the dignity of the excellent will ut¬ terly vanish. 8. The grass near the stump of the tree will not shake with the plough of the ploughman. Feeble though they be, the anger of enemies will not come on those who have joined the society of the good. 9. Like paddy multi¬ plied through the goodness of the soil, persons will become good through the goodness of their respective families. Like the destruction of a good ship on the approach of a strong gale, goodness will be destroyed by bad company. 10. Though innocent in intention, persons will be despised on account, of the (bad) company they have joined. In the forest both the scent-giving sandal and the teak tree will be burned when the brushwood, which has been cut, has caught fire. Chapter 19.—Greatness. 1. It is no longer in our power to give alms. Youth for ever has fled away. Those damsels who before loved us care no more for us; (there¬ fore,) no longer desiring (to continue in) the domestic state, and renouncing the arbitrary desire of becoming great, this is now' the one thing needful. 2. In the household state we have enjoyed pleasure, here we are rich. Fools so thinking, will behave inconsiderately. Those who understand the household state, that it, though seeming to last, lasts not, will never have sorrow. 3. Lay up seed for heaven without delusion of mind; and, void of all dis¬ tress, enjoy life like the wise, maintaining your proper station, remembering always that there are various things that change their nature without efficient cause. 4. They say that in the time of drought the well of spring- water will preserve the inhabitants, though by drawing its water they subsist. So trie duty of liberality is found with the great, even when in declining circumstances ; with others, even when they are rich, it is rare. 5. As the river which springs up in the place where they dug for a spring, even when it is dry, yielding much water supports the people, (the great) even when exhausted and wasted by giving of their riches to many, will do the things they ought to do, giving to a few. 6. O lord of the mighty mountains! a crime committed by the worthy will appear like a brand-mark on a white ox. Though the bast' commit sins as heinous as that of killing an ox, no blot will appear upon those base ones, their guilt will be wholly invisible (being wholly guilt, and nothing else). 7. Connexion with those who are destitute of a disposition fitted to their mean condition, as far as it extends, will produce sorrow; while even enmity on the part of the excellent wise, who will not do what is wrong even in sport, will bring with it greatness. 8. Desire ye that honour should accrue to the good and merciful in disposition; alarm your enemies with terror, enough to alarm Yama himself. Decide then who endeavour to de¬ ceive you, and render unto the good their just measure of beneficence. 9. Those who are im¬ perturbable and without any change of mind, even though they be confused by any one hastening and uttering evil calumny, are truly pure-minded, like the bright light in a lamp.
