207 - Good results

The Sage’s son (Nachiketas) said: 

1. O great sages, there is another thing which I heard from Nárada in the assembly of Yama. 

2. As he was asking him about the doings of the great, he narrated a story as told by Chitrabhānu. 

3. That was about King Janaka attaining all his great desires. I shall tell you that. Please listen. 

4. The resplendent sage Nárada arrived at the assembly of Yama. 

5. Seeing him arrive there at his own accord, king Yama quickly received him with due honour, circumambulated him and said: 

6. “O great Brahmin Närada, welcome to you. By my good luck have you come here. 

7. You know everything, see everything and you are the foremost among those knowing dharma. O sage, you know well the legends about the Gandharvas. 

8. We have become extremely purified at your sight. The whole of this place has also become sanctified. 

9. Please tell me without any hesitation whatever you have in mind, whether anything is to be done by me or got done by any one else. 

1. This story, however, is not found narrated. 

10. There is nothing in this world which cannot be got by great ascetics and Brahmins like you.” 

11. Hearing these words of Yama, Nārada, the knower of dharma, began to speak. 

Narada said: 

12. I shall tell you since you have asked. You are always the protector, keeper and the leader of dharma, doubtless by your truth, penance, forbearance and courage. 

13. There is none like you who can read the minds of others and know what is done. I have a great doubt and that has to be cleared by you. 

14. How is immortality obtained by practising vows, following rules, making gifts or performing penance? 

15. How is high prosperity attained in the world and how great fame, and how the eternal abode free from all troubles? 

16. What leads one to the despicable hell? 

Tell me all this”,

Yama said: 

17. O sage, people who do unrighteous deeds undergo numerous torments in hell. 

18. I shall tell you all that in detail. Please listen and then think about it. 

19. Those who maintain (the sacrificial) fire, who have sons, who make gifts of land, who are valiant, who live for a hundred years, who are well-versed in Vedas never go to hell. 

20. Chaste women, truthful men, those who never face de feat, are not obstinate, ever faithful to the master never go to hell. 

21. Those who abstain from injury, follow the rules of celibacy, observe chastity, make gifts and are devoted to Brahmins, also do not go to hell. 

22-23. Those people of composure who look after their own wives and avoid the wives of others, are fully compassionate to all, never go to this infernum full of darkness and wailings, the place for torture. 

24. Men of great knowledge, who are indifferent to you and sorrow alike), those that stake their lives for the sake of the master, those that are liberal givers and kind to all beings, also do not go there. 

25. Those who look after the comforts of their parents also do not go there. 

26. These who make gifts of sesamum, cows, gold and land to Brahmins do not go there. 

27. Those who perform sacrifices, observe Chăturmāsya and maintain the sacrificial fire, 

28. Who carry out the wishes of preceptors, who are calm and collected, who recite the Vedas every day and who are always cultured, never see me, having realised the self themselves. 

29. Those who have full control of the senses and who avoid sexual acts in prohibited times, also never go to hell. 

30. Those Brahmins who have given up all desires and have control of senses become gods. 

31. They do not go to this terrific hell which is for sinners. 

Nārada said: 

32. Is it the gift that is conducive to well-being or the worthiness of the person to whom it is given? By what kind of action is the honour of the heaven attained? 

33. By what kind of gift do we get good physique, wealth, grain, longevity and good family. Please tell me. 

34. It is impossible to detail even in the course of a hundred years what befalls the good and what the bad. 

35. I shall tell you, therefore, briefly about it. The wellbeing is mainly the result of virtues. 

36. Listen to this secret, О sage, as to who obtains what after death.

37. It is by penance that heaven is attained, by penance fame, and by penance again longevity and prosperity. 

38. Learning, knowledge, health, beauty, wealth and happiness are all acquired by penance and not by the mere desire for them. 

39. Osage, in this way, by silent order everything is got due to merit, enjoyments by gifts and the very life by celibacy. 

40. By non-violence is got handsome form and by vows birth in good family. By austerities like eating only roots and fruits a kingdom is obtained and by feeding on leaves heaven. 

41. By feeding on milk one attains heaven and by attending on the preceptor acquires abundant wealth. Progeny is got by performing Shraddha. 

42. By gifts of cow in proper time and with the necessary ritual, by austerities like sleeping on grass and by drinking water in Trişhvana ceremony, one attains the world one desires. 

43. The performer of sacrifice goes to heaven, particularly if he lives on water alone for ten years. 

44. One attains splendour by giving up tasty food and gets long-lived children by giving up meat. 

45. By giving up sandal and garlands, the body becomes well-formed. By gifts of food, one attains intelligence and power of memory. 

46. By the gift of umbrella is obtained a good house, by the gift of a pair of footwear a vehicle, by the gift of cloths handsome body, wealth and children. 

47. By giving drinks, eternal satisfaction is gained, by food and drinks, all desires are accomplished. 

48. He who offers to a Brahmin a tree full of fragrant flowers and fruits, gets a house full of women and gems. 

49. By gifts of food, drink and dress, one attains the same. By gifts of garlands, incense, sandal, flowers and fine house-hold items to a Brahmin, one gets a handsome body and becomes free from diseases. 

50. By gift of a house beautiful with beds and full of grains to a Brahmin, is acquired a lofty residence full of women, horses and elephants. 

51. By gifts of incense and cows, one attains the world of Vasus. 

52. Eternal bliss in heaven is attained by gifts of elephants, cows and bulls. Lustre is obtained by the gift of ghee and gracefulness by the gift of oil. 

53. By the gift of honey, satisfaction in all tastes is obtained, and by the gift of lamp, effulgence is acquired. 

54. By milk-pudding is acquired the nourishment of the body, by the mixture of sesamum and sugar suppleness, by fruits children and by flowers all happiness. 

55. By vehicles one gets palanquin and aerial car and also prosperity. 

56. By giving shelter, one attains all that is desired.