O blessed one, know that for those who live in accordance with the Vedas, nothing is truly unattainable. Whether it be the joys of heaven, the freedom of liberation, or birth into a noble family—whatever one desires, that is achieved through steadfast adherence to dharma. The wise, versed in righteousness, teach that one should progress through each stage of life in its proper order. Therefore, you should establish the sacred fire and perform your prescribed duties with devotion. Fulfill your obligations to the gods, ancestors, and fellow humans according to sacred tradition, my son. Beget a son who knows dharma, and establish him firmly in the householder’s life. Then, when the time comes, leave the household behind and enter the forest, embracing the highest vows as a forest-dweller, and, in due course, take up the path of renunciation. Remember, the senses are powerful and intoxicating, and the five together with the mind are exceedingly hard to restrain without the support of a wife. Thus, the wise should marry to gain victory over the senses, and in old age, undertake austerities—such is the teaching of the scriptures. Consider the example of the great sage Vishvamitra, who performed severe austerities for three thousand years, fasting and mastering his senses. Yet even he, though mighty, was overcome in the forest by Menaka, and from their union, the virtuous Shakuntala was born. Likewise, my own father Parashara, upon seeing Kali, the daughter of a fisherman, was struck by the arrows of desire and took her by the boat’s edge. Even Brahma himself, seeing his own daughter, was afflicted by the five arrows of desire and pursued her, until Rudra intervened and rendered him unconscious. Therefore, O auspicious one, heed my well-intentioned advice: take a maiden of good family as your wife, and follow the Vedic path. At this, Śuka replied to his father Vyāsa, “Father, I do not wish to establish a household. It is a source of endless sorrow, a snare that binds all embodied beings. Where, Father, is happiness among those who are constantly anxious for wealth? The greedy torment the poor, and even one’s own kin can be a source of suffering. Not even Indra, king of the gods, is truly happy, nor is the detached mendicant. Who, then, among those who possess the riches of all three worlds, could be content? When ascetics suffer, even Maghavan, the lord of heaven, is disturbed and creates obstacles for them. Nor is Brahma happy, nor Vishnu, though he has delightful Lakshmi; both are beset by distress in their battles with demons. The prosperous Lord of Lakshmi undertakes great effort and severe austerities—so for whom is abundant happiness truly found? Even Shankara, I know, is always burdened, practicing austerity and waging war against demons. The wealthy, driven by greed, do not sleep in peace—how, then, can the poor ever find happiness? And even if a son is born of one’s own strength, you would consign him to this dreadful world, which is always full of sorrow. Birth is suffering, old age is suffering, and death too is suffering; even dwelling in the womb is suffering, surrounded by filth and urine. Thus, the suffering that arises from craving and greed is immense; and in begging, the highest suffering is found, worse even than death. Brahmins who live by accepting gifts do not live by the strength of wisdom; dependence is the greatest suffering, and death approaches day by day. Even after studying all the Vedas and scriptures, the wise must approach the wealthy and praise them for their needs. But what worry is there for one stomach, which can be satisfied with leaves, roots, fruits, or whatever is available, if one is content? When there is a large family—wife, sons, grandsons—great suffering arises in providing for them. Where, Father, is the happiness in that? Instead, teach me the science of yoga and the knowledge that brings true happiness, for I find no delight in ritualistic action. Tell me the means for the destruction of karma—prarabdha, accumulated, and present—so that the threefold root of karma may be dissolved. Just as a leech always drinks blood, so too does a woman; yet the fool, deluded by emotional attachment, does not see this. Through pleasures, strength, wealth, and a mind full of cunning words, one’s beloved takes away everything—what thief is like this? For the sake of destroying the happiness of sleep, the fool gathers wives; deceived by fate, he acts only for sorrow, not for happiness. At this point, Sūta said: Hearing such words from both Vyāsa and Śuka, Vyāsa was seized by deep anxiety, uncertain of what he should do. Tears born of sorrow flowed from his eyes, his body trembled, and his mind grew weary. Seeing his father so distressed, overwhelmed by grief and dejection, Śuka, his eyes wide with astonishment, addressed Vyāsa: “Ah, how fierce is the power of Māyā, which bewilders even the wise—the author of Vedānta, the all-knowing, the knower of the Vedas! I do not know what this Māyā is, nor how exceedingly difficult she is, that she confounds even the learned Vyāsa, son of Satyavatī. He who is the speaker of the Purāṇas, the composer of the Bhārata, the arranger of the Vedas—even he has fallen into delusion. I seek refuge in that Goddess who bewilders the world, and even Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva, and others—what then of ordinary beings? Is there anyone in the three worlds who is not deluded by Māyā, by whose power even Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva, and others were once bewildered? Ah, what strength and power has been created by the Goddess! Even the all-knowing Lord has been subdued by Māyā alone.