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like as foods are threefold for mankind In nourishing, so is
here threefold way Of worship, abstinence, and almsgiving! Hear this
of Me! there is a food which brings Force, substance, strength, and
health, and joy to live, Being well-seasoned, cordial, comforting,
The "Soothfast" meat. And there be foods which bring Aches
and unrests, and burning blood, and grief Being too biting, heating,
salt, and sharp, And therefore craved by too strong appetite.
And there is foul food- kept from
over-night, Savourless, filthy, which the foul will eat,
A feast of rottenness, meet for the lips Of such as love the
"Darkness." Thus with rites;- A sacrifice not for
rewardment made, Offered in rightful wise, when he who vows
Sayed, with heart devout, "This I should do! Is "Soothfast"
rite.
But sacrifice for gain, Offered for good
repute, be sure that this, O Best of Bharatas! is Rajas-rite, With
stamp of "passion." And a sacrifice Offered against the
laws, with no due dole Of food-giving, with no accompaniment Of
hallowed hymn, nor largesse to the priests, In faithless
celebration, call it vile, The deed of "Darkness!"- lost!
Worship of gods Meriting worship; lowly reverence Of Twice- borns,Teachers, Elders; Purity, Rectitude, and the Brahmacharya's
vow, And not to injure any helpless thing,- These make a true
religiousness of Act.
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