Verses 690–699

690. The humility of a mad man is great. The widow when ruined veils herself, and the son of a prostitute performs the rites very duly.

691. He is a mental wax cloth (changeless) and a cave formed by bowed banyan trees. This farmer Vemana took all men and taught them well; thus did he gain renown.

692. A guana will live a century, a serpent will creep for ten centuries, and the crane will live in a pond for a thousand years. He who possesses man's chief good (wisdom) is the only excellent one.

693. If they say he knows not, surely he had no knowledge previously. If he begins to say I know, he knows the root. Let the mouth of him who says I know, when he knows not, be filled with a basket of ashes.

694. (Observe comparative) The dog has somewhat a better quality than man; for if we consider man in the world he is worse than a dog, if he be void of excellence.

695. A shop keeper's devotion well, never turn to any use. Through a covetous disposition he sinks downwards. It is as agreeable as tiger entertaining a saint.

696. A dome, ponds all about, cars and herb gardens, temples---all these are very fair. But if you go to serve the God, all these divert the mind.

697. Until married, they are in subjection. When the cord (about the throat) is bound, they look scornfully. To be in subjection under woman is a thing not to be spoken of.

698. While the ears, skin and bright eyes, the tongue and nose continue, the soul remains; the spirit thus dwelling firmly in the body shines as the chief thing in the world.

699. What our own history will be and what those of our connections will be, if we wish to hear or see this futurity, the Gods themselves know it not.