24. Therefore no one should live afar from the society of the good and great; who are ever to be regarded with respect and esteem; because the company of the good though slightly courted, is sure to purify the newcomer with the flying fragrance of their virtues.
CHAPTER LXXXXIX.
A Discourse on Esoteric or Spiritual Knowledge.
Argument:—The share of the Brute creation in the enjoyments of life, and its varieties in various grades of Beings.
Ráma rejoined:—Verily we (rational beings), have a great many means, for relieving our pains. Such as our reason, the precepts of the sástras, the advices of our friends and the society of the wise and good; beside the applications of mantras and medicines, the giving of charities, performances of religious austerities, going to pilgrimages and resorting to holy places (all which have the efficacy of removing our calamities and rendering us happy).
2. But tell me what is the state of the brute creation such as of the worms and insects, birds and flies, and the other creeping, crawling and bending animals; whether they are not alike susceptible with ourselves of pain and pleasure, and what means they have to remedy their pains and evils.
3. Vasishtha replied:—All creatures whether animals or vegetables, are destined to partake of the particular enjoyments, which are allotted to their respective shares; and are ever tending towards that end.
4. All living beings from the noble and great to the mean and minute, have their appetites and desires like ourselves; but the difference consists in their lesser or greater proportion in us and themselves. (i.e. Mankind is actuated in a lesser degree by their passions and appetites than their violence in the brute tribes).
5. As the great Virát-like big bodies, are actuated by their passions and feelings, so also the little vályakhilyas or puny tribes of insects, are fed by their self love to pursue their own ends.
6. Behold the supportless fowls of the firmament, flying and falling in the air, are quite content with roving in empty vacuity, without seeking a place for their rest.
7. Look at the incessant endeavours of the little emmet, in search of its food and hoarding its store like ourselves, for the future provision of our families, and never resting content for a moment.