Sacred Concord

Mbh 12.240.1d

Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

One should not associate with another in either speech, act, or thought. Disregarding all things, and eating very abstemiously, the Yogin should look with an equal eye upon objects acquired or lost. He should behave after the same manner towards one that praises and one that censures him. He should not seek the good or the evil of one or the other. He should not rejoice at an acquisition or suffer anxiety when he meets with failure or loss. Of uniform behaviour towards all beings, he should imitate the wind.[974] Unto one whose mind is thus turned to itself, who leads a life of purity, and who casts an equal eye upon all things,--indeed, unto one who is ever engaged in Yoga thus for even six months,--Brahma as represented by sound appears very vividly.[975] Beholding all men afflicted with anxiety (on account of earning wealth and comfort), the Yogin should view a clod of earth, a piece of stone, and a lump of gold with an equal eye. Indeed, he should withdraw himself from this path (of earning wealth), cherishing an aversion for it, and never suffer himself to be stupefied. Even if a person happens to belong to the inferior order, even if one happens to be a woman, both of them, by following in the track indicated above, will surely attain to the highest end.[976] He that has subdued his mind beholds in his own self, by the aid of his own knowledge the Uncreate, Ancient, Undeteriorating, and Eternal Brahma,--That, viz., which can not be attained to except by fixed senses,--That which is subtiler than the most subtile, and grosser than the most gross, and which is Emancipation's self.'"[977]
Mbh 12.240.1d · Mahabharata · SANTI PARVA

Themes in this passage

SufferingWealthAnxietyNatureComfortThe DivineJoyLiberation

Suffering in other traditions

The same theme, as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Taoism address it.

The evil-doer suffers in this world, and he suffers in the next; he suffers in both. He suffers when he thinks of the evil he has done; he suffers more when going on the evil path.
Dhp 1.17 · Dhammapada · The Twin-Verses
Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
Lamentations 3:19 · Bible · Lamentations
Relent not in pursuit of the enemy. If ye are suffering, lo! they suffer even as ye suffer and ye hope from Allah that for which they cannot hope. Allah is ever Knower, Wise.
Quran 4:104 · Quran · Women
The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. It is through this that they suffer famine.
Tao Te Ching 75.1 · Tao Te Ching

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