That fire of mighty flames, having consumed everything without leaving a remnant at last came back to Vishnu and touched his feet like a docile disciple. That crusher of foes, viz., Krishna, beholding that mountain burnt, cast a benignant look upon it and thereby brought it back to its former condition. That mountain thereupon once more became adorned with flowering trees and creepers, and once more echoed with the notes and cries of birds and deer and animals of prey and reptiles. Seeing that wonderful and inconceivable sight, all the ascetics became amazed. Their hairs stood on end and their vision was blurred with tears. That foremost of speakers, Narayana, beholding those Rishis thus filled with wonder, addressed them in these sweet and refreshing words, 'Why, indeed, has wonder filled the hearts of this assemblage of Rishis, these ascetics that are always free from attachment of every kind, that are divested of the idea of meum, and that are fully conversant with every sacred science? It behoveth these Rishis possessed of wealth of penances and freed from every stain to explain to me truly this doubt that has arisen in my mind.'Mbh 13.139.3b · Mahabharata · ANUSASANA PARVA
Mbh 13.139.3b
Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Themes in this passage
AttachmentDoubtNatureSpeechStrengthWealth
Attachment in other traditions
The same theme, as Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam address it.
If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold. If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness, the people would again become filial and kindly. If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our (scheming for) gain, there would be no thieves nor robbers.Tao Te Ching 19.1 · Tao Te Ching
Those whose mind is well grounded in the (seven) elements of knowledge, who without clinging to anything, rejoice in freedom from attachment, whose appetites have been conquered, and who are full of light, are free (even) in this world.Dhp 6.89 · Dhammapada · The Wise Man (Pandita)
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.Colossians 3:2 · Bible · Colossians
And they sold him for a low price, a number of silver coins; and they attached no value to him.Quran 12:20 · Quran · Joseph
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