Parasara

Righteousness earned through actions is the greatest benefit in both this world and the next.

Gifts to a distinguished person and acceptance of the gifts made by a distinguished person both lead to equal merit.

One should perform their actions according to their ability, without being overly attached to wealth.

By giving water, whether cold or heated by fire, with a devoted mind, to a thirsty guest, according to one's ability, one earns the merit that attaches to the act of giving food to a hungry person.

An intelligent person would never perform an act that is devoid of virtue, no matter how great the benefits of that act may be.

When someone becomes successful in life and behaves sinfully due to arrogance, their actions can no longer be considered authoritative.

However, it's well-known that true happiness belongs to those who are intelligent, who speak about the eternal truth, who only perform beneficial and auspicious actions, and who avoid actions driven by desire.

Penances, my child, are for everyone. Even the lowest class of people, the Sudras, are meant to perform penance. Penance helps the self-controlled person, who has mastery over their senses, to reach heaven.

Those who set aside their worldly responsibilities and detach themselves from all worldly attachments become free from anxiety.

They gradually progress step by step on the path of Yoga and ultimately attain the state of supreme bliss, that is, liberation.

Endowed with faith and humility, always practicing self-control, possessing sharp intelligence, and abstaining from all actions, they attain eternal bliss.

All classes of men, O king, by performing righteous deeds, speaking the truth, and abstaining from unrighteousness, ascend to heaven in this world.

Sin cannot cling to a wise person, just as water cannot wet the leaves of a lotus flower.

Someone who is completely free from attachments and has fully controlled their anger is never tainted by sin, even if they live a life of worldly enjoyment.

The sages of old have said that there's nothing higher than righteousness. By fulfilling one's righteous duties, a person is honored in heaven.

Nobody in this world does good to another without a motive. Nobody is seen to make gifts to others without expecting something in return. All persons are seen to act for their own selves.

All men, by taking birth, incur debts to gods, guests, servants, ancestors, and their own selves.

Human life in this world is short and temporary. A wise person, who achieves good in both happiness and misery, is considered a true follower of the scriptures.

Similarly, one should associate with all good qualities, but never with evil ones.

Pride leads to arrogance, and arrogance leads to anger.