30. It is also by virtue of one’s deep study and good company in youth, that a man attains his desirable objects afterwards (which are the results of his exertions). 31. It was by means of his activity that Vishnu had conquered the demons, and established the order of the world. It was by this that he created the worlds none of which could be the work of fate. 32. Now, O lord of Raghu’s race! employ your efforts to the exertion of your manly activities in such a way in this earth, that you may live free from fear of being bitten by the serpentine people in this arbor of the world (_i.e._ crush the malice of your enemies). CHAPTER VIII. INVALIDATION OF DESTINY. Vasishtha continued saying that:— What does destiny mean, which has no form, nor act, no motion nor might, but is a false notion rooted in the (minds) of the ignorant. 2. It is a word that has come into vogue from the idea of the future retribution of one’s past actions (or retributive justice) and the like, which is designated “destiny”. 3. From this the ignorant are led to believe that there is a thing as destiny: the inscrutability of which has led them to the fallacy as that of the supposition of a snake in a rope. 4. As a past misdeed of yesterday is rectified by a good action of the following day, let this day therefore supercede the past, and employ yourself to-day to action. 5. The perverted understanding that believes in a destiny grounded on its erroneous conception, may well enter into the fire from his conviction that it will not burn him unless it is so destined. 6. If destiny is the sole cause of every thing, why then should a man betake himself to his actions of bathing and making his offerings, sitting and walking, all of which may be done by his destiny. 7. What then is the necessity of one’s advising another to do a thing when destiny is the director of all? Let then all be silent and say nothing to nobody. 8. There is no one to be seen on earth that is motionless except the bodies of the dead; and if it is action that produces anything, it is useless to believe in destiny. 9. Nor is there any co-operative power of the invisible destiny perceptible in the actions of men, whence it is but a meaningless word. 10. Two things as the implements and members of the body being joined together, have each their several action (as that of the pen and razor and the hand in writing and shaving); but the hand being wanted, nothing can be done by destiny (with its having those tools). 11. There is no such clear idea of a destiny like those of the mind and intellect, even in the (illiterate) cow-herd or in the (learned) pandit. Hence it is a mere non-entity.