12. Whoso will read this book, not without understanding its sense and whoever will manuscript it without the expectation of getting its fee; as also anybody who will recite or cause it to be recited (to a public audience), either with or without any desire of reward, shall have his ample recompense in the land of Áryas (both in his present and future lives). (So it is with the public preaching of its doctrine).
13. These men receive the reward, awaiting on the performance of the Rájasúya sacrifice, and are entitled to their heavenly seats in their pure essence; as often as they ascend to it after their demise on earth, and until they attain their final liberation, which attains on them as prosperity does on the meritorious (after the third transmigration of their expurged souls).
14. It was at first that the god Brahmá of unknowable form, had composed this work in his excellent diction; and then considering it as the only means to the liberation of mankind, had revealed it to the assemblage of saints (of which Vasishtha or Válmíki has made this version). Let nobody therefore take the truthfulness of this saying for an untruth.
15. At the close of the recital of these lectures, on the means of human salvation, it becomes every sensible man of good sense, to honour the Bráhmans with diligence; and to serve them with their desirable gifts of food and drink, and furnish them with goodly houses for their lodging.
16. They should also be rewarded with their honorariums, and supplied with monies to their hearts’ desire, and to the utmost capacity of the donor; and then the giver or master of the ceremony should rest himself assured, of having acquitted his duty to and reaped its merit to the intent of the sástras.
17. I have thus rehearsed to you the great sástra, in elucidation of divine knowledge and its pure truth; with addition of a great many tales and stories, serving as example and illustrations of the abstruse doctrines for your clear understanding of them. May your hearing of these, serve to lead you to your utter indifference of this world, and to the desire of your liberation in it, while you are alive herein. May this tend also to your continued prosperity, in order to engage your attention towards the perfection of your knowledge and devotion, and to the discharge of the duties of your station without failing.
CHAPTER CCXVI.
Conclusion of the celestial messenger’s message of liberation.
Argument:—Acknowledgment of the obligation of Arishtanemi and others, to their preceptors and preachers.
Válmíki continued to say:—I have thus related to you, O prince, whatever the pot born Vasishtha had taught and preached to the princes; and it is certain that you will attain the same elevated state, as they did by the hearing of these lectures on sacred knowledge.
2. The Prince Arishtanemi replied:—O Venerable sir, your kind look is enough to extricate us from bondage in this world; and it is hence that I am not only brought to light, but saved from the ocean of this world by your favour.