40. The fruit of following the Sástras and observing the good customs and local usages, is long known (to be wholesome), as exciting the heart and the exertion of the limbs to action. This it is what they called “manly activity.” 41. All wise men after discussion of the subject of fate and acts, have applied themselves to activity by utter rejection of fatality, and accomplished their ends by attendance on the good and wise. 42. Knowing the efficacy of activity, every one should betake himself to his personal exertions, and attain to his highest perfection by attending to good Sástras and the wise counsels of learned men. 43. And knowing the bondage of our births to be full of pain, let people strive for the exercise of their activities, and obtain the true and sweet blessing of tranquility by their attendance on the wise. CHAPTER VII. ON THE NECESSITY OF ACTIVITY. Having obtained a body free from disease and a mind free from trouble, one should try to know the knowable to prevent his further birth (in this world). 2. Whoso wishes to avert his destiny by means of his activity, obtains the acme of his wishes both in this world as well as in the next. 3. But whoever is averse to assiduity and relies in his luck, he is an enemy to his own soul, and sacrifices all his virtues, riches and hopes (to his idleness). 4. It is the exercise of our sensuous and mental faculties as also of the members of the body, which are the different modes of our exertions, that leads us to success. 5. Our perceptions are the cause of our mental activity, and this actuates the body to action, whereby we obtain the fruits of our desire. 6. In whatever case there is some act (enjoined in the Sástra), it points us to our exertions and never to destiny. Even children are well aware of this. 7. It was by the exercise of their exertions that Divaspati (Jupiter) became the lord of gods, and Sukra obtained the preceptorship of demons. 8. There have been many weak, poor and miserable men, who have by means of their manly exertions become equal to Indra himself. 9. So also there have been many great men on earth, who after enjoyment of a great many extraordinary things and luxuries here, have become guests in hell for want of the exercise of their manly virtues. 10. In this manner have all beings evaded the effects of their various states of want and opulence by means of their own exertions (in the right way). 11. There are three fold benefits derived from the study of books, from lectures of a preceptor, and from one’s own industry, all of which are attendant on our exertions and not destiny. 12. This is the long and short of all the Sástras, that diligence preserves our minds from all evils, by employing them to whatever is good and right.