151 - Sandilya: Reverend, in this world of man, with its constant brawls, where pleasure is the most, how do you do your begging? Hermit: Listen. I crave no honor; threats must always follow me, and the alms I need to feed myself come from lean folk, I walk this vice-addicted world cautiously, like a lake filled with sharks. Sandilya: But Reverend Sir, 1 have no family, no brother nor father; why are you so gracious to me? After all, I have grabbed the hermit^ staff not because I hoped for merit, but because I died of hunger. Hermit: Sandilya, what is the meaning of this? Sandilya: What but the truth? You always tell me that a lie is a fetter. Hermit: Of course, true enough. If one embraces falsehood^a fetter is wrought. Do you ask why? When an alert man does something good motivated by something good, the gods will forever protect the fruit of his goodness like a well-guarded trust. Sandilya: But when does he get it back? Hermit: Whenever his detachment makes him superior. Sandilya: Sir, how does one get superior? Hermit: By not wanting things» Sandilya: Reverend, this raises the question how not to want things. Hermit: By being indifferent to love or hate. Why? "This constant balance in happiness and sorrow, keeping good measure in tear of joy, facing friend and foe with equal equanimity, that is what the wise call detachment." Sandilya: But what is it? Hermit: There is no name for what does not exist yet. Sandilya: But tell me, can it be done ^ sir? Hermit: Is there any doubt? Sindilya: A lie! A lie: Hermit: You mean to say? Sandilya Sir, why are you mad at me? Hermit: Thou wilt not learn.