165. Vanity is like a heap of rubbish or ashes on which the water, as soon as it falls, dries away. Prayers and contemplations produce no effect upon the heart puffed up with vanity.
166. Of all the birds of the air the crow is considered to be the wisest, and he thinks himself so too. He never falls into a snare. He flies off at the slightest approach of danger, and steals the food with the greatest dexterity. But all this wisdom can supply him with no better living than filth and foul matter. This is the result of his having the wisdom of the pettifogger.
167. Once upon a time conceit entered the heart of the Divine Sage Narada, and he thought there was no greater devotee than himself. Reading his heart, the Lord Srl Vishnu said, ' Narada, go to such and such a place, there is a great Bhakta of mine there, and cultivate his acquaint- ance.' Narada went there and found an agriculturist, who rose early in the morning, pronounced the name of Hari only once, and taking his plough went out to till the ground all day long. At night he went to bed after pronouncing the name of Hari once more. Narada said within himself, c How can this rustic be called a lover of God ? I see him busily engaged in worldly duties, and he has no signs of a pious man in him.' Narada then went back to the Lord and said all he thought of his new acquaintance. The Lord said, ' Narada, take this cup full of oil, go round this city and come back with it, but beware lest a drop of it fell to the ground.' Narada did as he was told, and on his
