Introduction + 

I + 

In Praise of the Lord + 

A is the starting-point of the world of sound: even so is the Great Original the starting-point of all that exists. + 

Of what avail is all thy learning if thou worship not the holy feet of Him of the perfect intelligence? + 

Whoso taketh refuge in the sacred feet of Him whose walk is among flowers, his days will be many upon the earth. + 

Behold the men who cleave unto the feet of Him who is beyond preference and beyond aversion: the ills of life touch them not ever. + 

Behold the men who sing earnestly the praises of the Lord: they will be freed from the pain-engendering fruits of action both good and evil. + 

Behold the men who follow the righteous ways of Him who hath burned away the desires of the five senses: their days will be many upon the earth. + 

They alone escape from sorrow who take refuge in the feet of Him who hath no equal. + 

The stormy seas of wealth and sense delights cannot be traversed except by those who cling to the feet of the Sage who is the Ocean of Righteousness. + 

Worthless indeed like the organs of sense which do not perceive is the head that boweth not at the feet of Him who is endowed with the eight attributes. + 

They alone cross the ocean of births and deaths who take refuge in the feet of the Lord: the others traverse it not. + 

II + 

In Praise of Rain + 

It is by the unfailing fall of rain that the earth sustaineth itself: therefore is the rain called the immortal drink. + 

Every food that is sweet to the taste is given to man by Rain: and itself formeth also part of his food. + 

It rain should fail, famine would rage over the wide earth even though it is encircled by the ocean. + 

Husbandmen would cease to ply the plough if the fountains of the heavens are dried up. + 

It is rain that ruineth, and it is rain again that setteth up those that it hath ruined. + 

Even grass will cease to grow if the showers from above should cease to fall. + 

Even the mighty ocean would reek with corruption if the heavens should cease to suck its waters and render them back to it. + 

Sacrifices will not be offered to the Gods nor Feasts be celebrated on earth if the heavens are dried up. + 

Neither charity nor austerities will abide on the wide earth if the heavens should hold back their showers. + 

Nothing on earth can go on without water: so even right conduct itself depends ultimately on rain. + 

III + 

The Greatness of Those Who Have Renounced the World + 

Behold the men who have renounced sense-enjoyments and live a life of discipline: the scriptures exalt their glory above every other good. + 

Thou canst not measure the greatness of ascetics: thou canst as well count the number of the dead. + 

Behold the men who have weighed this life with the next and have renounced: the earth is made radiant by their greatness. + 

Behold the man whose firm will controlleth his five senses even as the goading hook controlleth the elephant: he is a seed fit for the fields of heaven. + 

The King of the Gods himself, Indra, is witness unto the might of him that hath burned away the five desires. + 

The great ones are they who can achieve the impossible: the feeble ones are those who cannot. + 

Behold the man who appreciateth at their true value the sensations of touch and taste and sight and sound and smell: he will command the world. + 

The scriptures of the world proclaim the greatness of the men of the mighty word. + 

It is impossible to support even for a second the wrath of those who stand on the rock of renunciation. + 

It is saintly men that are to be called Brahmans: for it is they that have compassion on all life. + 

IV + 

The Glorification of Righteousness + 

Righteousness leadeth unto heaven and it bringeth wealth also: what is there that is more profitable than Righteousness? + 

There is no greater good than Righteousness, nor no greater ill than the forgetting of it. + 

Be thou unremitting in the doing of good deeds: do them with all thy might and by every means. + 

Be pure in heart: all righteousness is contained in this one commandment: all other things are nought but empty sound. + 

Avoid envy and greed, anger and harsh words: that is the way to acquire righteousness. + 

Say not in thy heart, I shall be righteous by and bye, but begin to do good works without delaying: for it is Righteousness will be thy undying companion on the day of thy death. + 

Ask me not, Where is the good of Righteousness? Look at the bearer of the palanquin and him that rideth on it. + 

If thou do good all thy life without a single waste day, thou wallest up the road to future births. + 

That alone is delight which cometh of Righteousness: all else is pain and shame. + 

That action alone is worth doing which is righteous: and all action must be shunned which is unrighteous. + 