________________
CHAPTER X, 14.
279
qualitieswhich are in the position of the deities, each in its own place, always enjoy the offering according to prescribed rules. To him who is not learned, eating various (kinds of) food, the (feeling of this or that being) mine adheres. And cooking food for himself, he, through the (feeling of this or that being) mine, is ruined. The eating of that which should not be eaten, and drinking of intoxicating drinks also destroys him. He destroys the food, and destroying that food he is destroyed in return. The learned man, being (himself) a ruler, destroying this food again produces it'. And not even a trilling obstacle. arises to him from that food. Whatever is thought by the mind o, whatever is spoken by speech, whatever is heard by the ear, whatever is seen by the eye, whatever is touched by the sense of touch, and whatever is smelt by the nose, absorbing all these offerings from all sides, together with those (senses) which with the mind are six', my fire? of (high) qualifications', shines dwelling within the body. My sacrifice of concentration of mind is in progress, the performance of which yields the fire of knowledge;
"I.e., I presume, the senses. Cl. Gitá, p. 66. The learned do not suppose their self to have aught to do with them. Cf. Gitá, p. 64. • Cf. Gitá, p. 53; Manu III, 118.
His knowledge gives him this power. He is not destroyed' by the food as the other man is. Nilakanlha compares Brihadåranyaka, p. 884. See, 100, p. 260, note i supra.
• Le. mischief owing to the destruction of life necessary for gelting food, says Nilakantha quoting Brihadaranyaka, p. 913.
• This includes the operation of the understanding also. Nilakantha says this verse explains what the word 'food' means here.
• For the phrase cf. Gitá, p. 112. * That is to say, my sell, Arguna Misra. See p. 259, note 3 supra. • As the objects of sense &c. are all absorbed into it. • It is called fire,' as it burns up all action. Cr. Gità, p. 63.
Digitized by Google
