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महाभारतः       mahābhārataḥ - book-12, chapter-173

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युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।
बान्धवाः कर्म वित्तं वा प्रज्ञा वेह पितामह ।
नरस्य का प्रतिष्ठा स्यादेतत्पृष्टो वदस्व मे ॥१॥
1. yudhiṣṭhira uvāca ,
bāndhavāḥ karma vittaṁ vā prajñā veha pitāmaha ,
narasya kā pratiṣṭhā syādetatpṛṣṭo vadasva me.
1. yudhiṣṭhira uvāca bāndhavāḥ karma vittam vā prajñā vā iha
pitāmaha narasya kā pratiṣṭhā syāt etat pṛṣṭaḥ vadasva me
1. yudhiṣṭhira uvāca pitāmaha iha narasya bāndhavāḥ karma
vittam vā prajñā kā pratiṣṭhā syāt etat pṛṣṭaḥ me vadasva
1. Yudhishthira said: O Grandfather, what constitutes a man's standing (pratiṣṭhā) in this world - his relatives, his actions (karma), his wealth, or his wisdom (prajñā)? Please tell me this, as I ask you.
भीष्म उवाच ।
प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठा भूतानां प्रज्ञा लाभः परो मतः ।
प्रज्ञा नैःश्रेयसी लोके प्रज्ञा स्वर्गो मतः सताम् ॥२॥
2. bhīṣma uvāca ,
prajñā pratiṣṭhā bhūtānāṁ prajñā lābhaḥ paro mataḥ ,
prajñā naiḥśreyasī loke prajñā svargo mataḥ satām.
2. bhīṣma uvāca prajñā pratiṣṭhā bhūtānām prajñā lābhaḥ paraḥ
mataḥ prajñā naiḥśreyasī loke prajñā svargaḥ mataḥ satām
2. bhīṣma uvāca prajñā bhūtānām pratiṣṭhā prajñā paraḥ lābhaḥ
mataḥ prajñā loke naiḥśreyasī prajñā satām svargaḥ mataḥ
2. Bhishma said: Wisdom (prajñā) is the foundation of all beings. Wisdom is considered the supreme gain. Wisdom leads to the highest good in the world, and for the virtuous, wisdom is deemed heaven.
प्रज्ञया प्रापितार्थो हि बलिरैश्वर्यसंक्षये ।
प्रह्रादो नमुचिर्मङ्किस्तस्याः किं विद्यते परम् ॥३॥
3. prajñayā prāpitārtho hi baliraiśvaryasaṁkṣaye ,
prahrādo namucirmaṅkistasyāḥ kiṁ vidyate param.
3. prajñayā prāpitārthaḥ hi baliḥ aiśvarya-saṃkṣaye
prahrādaḥ namuciḥ maṅkiḥ tasyāḥ kim vidyate param
3. prajñayā prāpitārthaḥ hi baliḥ aiśvarya-saṃkṣaye
prahrādaḥ namuciḥ maṅkiḥ tasyāḥ kim vidyate param
3. Indeed, Bali, even when his prosperity was diminished, attained his objectives through wisdom (prajñā). Prahlada, Namuchi, and Maṅki - what could possibly be superior to that wisdom?
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।
इन्द्रकाश्यपसंवादं तन्निबोध युधिष्ठिर ॥४॥
4. atrāpyudāharantīmamitihāsaṁ purātanam ,
indrakāśyapasaṁvādaṁ tannibodha yudhiṣṭhira.
4. atra api udāharanti imam itihāsam purātanam
indra-kāśyapa-saṃvādam tat nibodha yudhiṣṭhira
4. atra api imam purātanam indra-kāśyapa-saṃvādam
itihāsam udāharanti yudhiṣṭhira tat nibodha
4. Regarding this, they also recount this ancient narrative (itihāsa) - the dialogue between Indra and Kashyapa. O Yudhishthira, learn that.
वैश्यः कश्चिदृषिं तात काश्यपं संशितव्रतम् ।
रथेन पातयामास श्रीमान्दृप्तस्तपस्विनम् ॥५॥
5. vaiśyaḥ kaścidṛṣiṁ tāta kāśyapaṁ saṁśitavratam ,
rathena pātayāmāsa śrīmāndṛptastapasvinam.
5. vaiśyaḥ kaścit ṛṣim tāta kāśyapam saṃśitavratam
rathena pātayāmāsa śrīmān dṛptaḥ tapasvinam
5. tāta kaścit śrīmān dṛptaḥ vaiśyaḥ rathena
saṃśitavratam tapasvinam kāśyapam ṛṣim pātayāmāsa
5. O dear one, a certain wealthy and arrogant merchant, using his chariot, knocked down the ascetic sage Kaśyapa, who was firm in his vows.
आर्तः स पतितः क्रुद्धस्त्यक्त्वात्मानमथाब्रवीत् ।
मरिष्याम्यधनस्येह जीवितार्थो न विद्यते ॥६॥
6. ārtaḥ sa patitaḥ kruddhastyaktvātmānamathābravīt ,
mariṣyāmyadhanasyeha jīvitārtho na vidyate.
6. ārtaḥ sa patitaḥ kruddhaḥ tyaktvā ātmanam atha
abravīt mariṣyāmi adhanasya iha jīvitārthaḥ na vidyate
6. ārtaḥ patitaḥ kruddhaḥ sa ātmanam tyaktvā atha
abravīt mariṣyāmi iha adhanasya jīvitārthaḥ na vidyate
6. Distressed, fallen, and enraged, he then spoke, abandoning (ātman) his will to live: "I will die. For one without wealth, there is no purpose in life here."
तथा मुमूर्षुमासीनमकूजन्तमचेतसम् ।
इन्द्रः सृगालरूपेण बभाषे क्रुद्धमानसम् ॥७॥
7. tathā mumūrṣumāsīnamakūjantamacetasam ,
indraḥ sṛgālarūpeṇa babhāṣe kruddhamānasam.
7. tathā mumūrṣum āsīnam akūjantam acetasam
indraḥ sṛgālarūpeṇa babhāṣe kruddhamānasam
7. tathā indraḥ sṛgālarūpeṇa mumūrṣum āsīnam
akūjantam acetasam kruddhamānasam babhāṣe
7. Thus, to the one who was sitting, desiring to die, silent, and unconscious, Indra, in the form of a jackal, spoke to his enraged mind.
मनुष्ययोनिमिच्छन्ति सर्वभूतानि सर्वशः ।
मनुष्यत्वे च विप्रत्वं सर्व एवाभिनन्दति ॥८॥
8. manuṣyayonimicchanti sarvabhūtāni sarvaśaḥ ,
manuṣyatve ca vipratvaṁ sarva evābhinandati.
8. manuṣyayonim icchanti sarvabhūtāni sarvaśaḥ
manuṣyatve ca vipratvam sarve eva abhinandati
8. sarvabhūtāni sarvaśaḥ manuṣyayonim icchanti
ca manuṣyatve sarve eva vipratvam abhinandati
8. All creatures everywhere desire human birth. And once in human existence, everyone indeed welcomes the state of being a Brahmin.
मनुष्यो ब्राह्मणश्चासि श्रोत्रियश्चासि काश्यप ।
सुदुर्लभमवाप्यैतददोषान्मर्तुमिच्छसि ॥९॥
9. manuṣyo brāhmaṇaścāsi śrotriyaścāsi kāśyapa ,
sudurlabhamavāpyaitadadoṣānmartumicchasi.
9. manuṣyaḥ brāhmaṇaḥ ca asi śrotriyaḥ ca asi kāśyapa
sudurlabham avāpya etat adoṣāt martum icchasi
9. kāśyapa tvam manuṣyaḥ ca brāhmaṇaḥ ca śrotriyaḥ
asi etat sudurlabham avāpya adoṣāt martum icchasi
9. O Kaśyapa, you are a human being, a Brahmin, and a Vedic scholar. Having attained this state, which is extremely rare, you wish to die without any compelling reason.
सर्वे लाभाः साभिमाना इति सत्या बत श्रुतिः ।
संतोषणीयरूपोऽसि लोभाद्यदभिमन्यसे ॥१०॥
10. sarve lābhāḥ sābhimānā iti satyā bata śrutiḥ ,
saṁtoṣaṇīyarūpo'si lobhādyadabhimanyase.
10. sarve lābhāḥ sābhimānāḥ iti satyā bata śrutiḥ
saṃtoṣaṇīyarūpaḥ asi lobhāt yat abhimanyase
10. bata iti śrutiḥ satyā sarve lābhāḥ sābhimānāḥ
tvam saṃtoṣaṇīyarūpaḥ asi yat lobhāt abhimanyase
10. Indeed, the saying 'all acquisitions come with a sense of pride (abhimāna)' is true. You are by nature one who should be contented, yet due to greed, you continue to harbor such self-importance.
अहो सिद्धार्थता तेषां येषां सन्तीह पाणयः ।
पाणिमद्भ्यः स्पृहास्माकं यथा तव धनस्य वै ॥११॥
11. aho siddhārthatā teṣāṁ yeṣāṁ santīha pāṇayaḥ ,
pāṇimadbhyaḥ spṛhāsmākaṁ yathā tava dhanasya vai.
11. aho siddhārthatā teṣām yeṣām santi iha pāṇayaḥ
pāṇimadbhyaḥ spṛhā asmākam yathā tava dhanasya vai
11. aho iha yeṣām pāṇayaḥ santi teṣām siddhārthatā asti asmākam
pāṇimadbhyaḥ spṛhā asti yathā vai tava dhanasya spṛhā
11. Oh, the complete fulfillment of purpose for those who possess hands in this world! Our longing is for those with hands, just as your longing, indeed, is for wealth.
न पाणिलाभादधिको लाभः कश्चन विद्यते ।
अपाणित्वाद्वयं ब्रह्मन्कण्टकान्नोद्धरामहे ॥१२॥
12. na pāṇilābhādadhiko lābhaḥ kaścana vidyate ,
apāṇitvādvayaṁ brahmankaṇṭakānnoddharāmahe.
12. na pāṇilābhāt adhikaḥ lābhaḥ kaścana vidyate
apāṇitvāt vayam brahman kaṇṭakān na uddharāmahe
12. kaścana lābhaḥ pāṇilābhāt adhikaḥ na vidyate
brahman vayam apāṇitvāt kaṇṭakān na uddharāmahe
12. No gain exists that is greater than the acquisition of hands. O Brahmin, due to our lack of hands, we are unable to extract thorns.
अथ येषां पुनः पाणी देवदत्तौ दशाङ्गुली ।
उद्धरन्ति कृमीनङ्गाद्दशमानान्कषन्ति च ॥१३॥
13. atha yeṣāṁ punaḥ pāṇī devadattau daśāṅgulī ,
uddharanti kṛmīnaṅgāddaśamānānkaṣanti ca.
13. atha yeṣām punaḥ pāṇī devadattau daśāṅgulī
uddharanti kṛmīn aṅgāt daśamānān kaṣanti ca
13. atha punaḥ yeṣām devadattau daśāṅgulī pāṇī
aṅgāt kṛmīn daśamānān uddharanti ca kaṣanti
13. Now, for those whose hands, divinely endowed with ten fingers, they remove worms from their bodies and scratch those that bite.
हिमवर्षातपानां च परित्राणानि कुर्वते ।
चेलमन्नं सुखं शय्यां निवातं चोपभुञ्जते ॥१४॥
14. himavarṣātapānāṁ ca paritrāṇāni kurvate ,
celamannaṁ sukhaṁ śayyāṁ nivātaṁ copabhuñjate.
14. himavarṣātāpānām ca paritrāṇāni kurvate celam
annam sukham śayyām nivātam ca upabhuñjate
14. ca himavarṣātāpānām paritrāṇāni kurvate ca
celam annam sukham śayyām nivātam upabhuñjate
14. And they provide protections from snow, rain, and heat. They enjoy clothing, food, comfortable beds, and sheltered places.
अधिष्ठाय च गां लोके भुञ्जते वाहयन्ति च ।
उपायैर्बहुभिश्चैव वश्यानात्मनि कुर्वते ॥१५॥
15. adhiṣṭhāya ca gāṁ loke bhuñjate vāhayanti ca ,
upāyairbahubhiścaiva vaśyānātmani kurvate.
15. adhiṣṭhāya ca gām loke bhuñjate vāhayanti ca
upāyaiḥ bahubhiḥ ca eva vaśyān ātmani kurvate
15. ca loke gām adhiṣṭhāya bhuñjate ca vāhayanti
ca eva bahubhiḥ upāyaiḥ ātmani vaśyān kurvate
15. And having established themselves on earth in this world, they enjoy (its resources) and make others bear burdens. Moreover, by many means, they render others obedient to their own selves (ātman).
ये खल्वजिह्वाः कृपणा अल्पप्राणा अपाणयः ।
सहन्ते तानि दुःखानि दिष्ट्या त्वं न तथा मुने ॥१६॥
16. ye khalvajihvāḥ kṛpaṇā alpaprāṇā apāṇayaḥ ,
sahante tāni duḥkhāni diṣṭyā tvaṁ na tathā mune.
16. ye khalu ajihvāḥ kṛpaṇāḥ alpaprāṇāḥ apāṇayaḥ
sahante tāni duḥkhāni diṣṭyā tvam na tathā mune
16. khalu ye ajihvāḥ kṛpaṇāḥ alpaprāṇāḥ apāṇayaḥ tāni duḥkhāni sahante.
diṣṭyā mune tvam tathā na.
16. Indeed, those who are honest, wretched, weak-spirited, and handless, they endure those sufferings. Fortunately, O sage, you are not like that.
दिष्ट्या त्वं न सृगालो वै न कृमिर्न च मूषकः ।
न सर्पो न च मण्डूको न चान्यः पापयोनिजः ॥१७॥
17. diṣṭyā tvaṁ na sṛgālo vai na kṛmirna ca mūṣakaḥ ,
na sarpo na ca maṇḍūko na cānyaḥ pāpayonijaḥ.
17. diṣṭyā tvam na sṛgālaḥ vai na kṛmiḥ na ca mūṣakaḥ
na sarpaḥ na ca maṇḍūkaḥ na ca anyaḥ pāpayonijaḥ
17. diṣṭyā tvam na sṛgālaḥ vai na kṛmiḥ na ca mūṣakaḥ
na sarpaḥ na ca maṇḍūkaḥ na ca anyaḥ pāpayonijaḥ
17. Fortunately, you are neither a jackal, nor a worm, nor a mouse; neither a snake, nor a frog, nor any other being born from a sinful womb.
एतावतापि लाभेन तोष्टुमर्हसि काश्यप ।
किं पुनर्योऽसि सत्त्वानां सर्वेषां ब्राह्मणोत्तमः ॥१८॥
18. etāvatāpi lābhena toṣṭumarhasi kāśyapa ,
kiṁ punaryo'si sattvānāṁ sarveṣāṁ brāhmaṇottamaḥ.
18. etāvatā api lābhena toṣṭum arhasi kāśyapa kim
punaḥ yaḥ asi sattvānām sarveṣām brāhmaṇottamaḥ
18. kāśyapa etāvatā api lābhena toṣṭum arhasi.
kim punaḥ yaḥ tvam sarveṣām sattvānām brāhmaṇottamaḥ asi.
18. Even with just this much gain (lābha), you should be content, Kaśyapa. What more, considering that you are the excellent Brahmin (brāhmaṇa) among all beings?
इमे मां कृमयोऽदन्ति तेषामुद्धरणाय मे ।
नास्ति शक्तिरपाणित्वात्पश्यावस्थामिमां मम ॥१९॥
19. ime māṁ kṛmayo'danti teṣāmuddharaṇāya me ,
nāsti śaktirapāṇitvātpaśyāvasthāmimāṁ mama.
19. ime mām kṛmayaḥ adanti teṣām uddharaṇāya me na
asti śaktiḥ apāṇitvāt paśya avasthām imām mama
19. ime kṛmayaḥ mām adanti.
teṣām uddharaṇāya me śaktiḥ na asti apāṇitvāt.
paśya imām mama avasthām.
19. These worms are devouring me; I have no power (śakti) to remove them because I have no hands. Behold this state of mine.
अकार्यमिति चैवेमं नात्मानं संत्यजाम्यहम् ।
नेतः पापीयसीं योनिं पतेयमपरामिति ॥२०॥
20. akāryamiti caivemaṁ nātmānaṁ saṁtyajāmyaham ,
netaḥ pāpīyasīṁ yoniṁ pateyamaparāmiti.
20. akāryam iti ca eva imam na ātmānam saṃtyajāmi
aham na itaḥ pāpīyasīm yonim pateyam aparām iti
20. aham akāryam iti ca eva imam ātmānam na saṃtyajāmi.
[aham] itaḥ aparām pāpīyasīm yonim na pateyam iti.
20. Even thinking 'this is improper (akāryam),' I do not abandon this self (ātman). [I do this so that] I may not fall into another, more sinful womb (yoni) after this one.
मध्ये वै पापयोनीनां सार्गाली यामहं गतः ।
पापीयस्यो बहुतरा इतोऽन्याः पापयोनयः ॥२१॥
21. madhye vai pāpayonīnāṁ sārgālī yāmahaṁ gataḥ ,
pāpīyasyo bahutarā ito'nyāḥ pāpayonayaḥ.
21. madhye vai pāpayonīnām sārgālī yām aham gataḥ
pāpīyasyaḥ bahutaraḥ itaḥ anyāḥ pāpayonayaḥ
21. aham vai pāpayonīnām madhye yām sārgālī gataḥ.
itaḥ anyāḥ bahutaraḥ pāpīyasyaḥ pāpayonayaḥ.
21. Indeed, among those born into sinful existences (pāpayoni), Sārgālī is one into which I have entered. However, there are many other sinful existences that are far more grievous than this one.
जात्यैवैके सुखतराः सन्त्यन्ये भृशदुःखिताः ।
नैकान्तसुखमेवेह क्वचित्पश्यामि कस्यचित् ॥२२॥
22. jātyaivaike sukhatarāḥ santyanye bhṛśaduḥkhitāḥ ,
naikāntasukhameveha kvacitpaśyāmi kasyacit.
22. jātyā eva eke sukhatarāḥ santi anye bhṛśaduḥkhitāḥ
na ekāntasukham eva iha kvacit paśyāmi kasyacit
22. iha jātyā eva eke sukhatarāḥ santi,
anye bhṛśaduḥkhitāḥ.
aham kvacit kasyacit ekāntasukham eva na paśyāmi.
22. By birth alone, some are happier, while others are greatly distressed. I do not see absolute or singular happiness for anyone, anywhere, in this world.
मनुष्या ह्याढ्यतां प्राप्य राज्यमिच्छन्त्यनन्तरम् ।
राज्याद्देवत्वमिच्छन्ति देवत्वादिन्द्रतामपि ॥२३॥
23. manuṣyā hyāḍhyatāṁ prāpya rājyamicchantyanantaram ,
rājyāddevatvamicchanti devatvādindratāmapi.
23. manuṣyāḥ hi āḍhyatām prāpya rājyam icchanti anantaram
rājyāt devatvam icchanti devatvāt indratām api
23. hi manuṣyāḥ āḍhyatām prāpya anantaram rājyam icchanti.
rājyāt devatvam icchanti,
devatvāt api indratām icchanti.
23. Indeed, humans, upon attaining prosperity, then desire kingship. From kingship, they desire divinity, and from divinity, even the status of Indra.
भवेस्त्वं यद्यपि त्वाढ्यो न राजा न च दैवतम् ।
देवत्वं प्राप्य चेन्द्रत्वं नैव तुष्येस्तथा सति ॥२४॥
24. bhavestvaṁ yadyapi tvāḍhyo na rājā na ca daivatam ,
devatvaṁ prāpya cendratvaṁ naiva tuṣyestathā sati.
24. bhaveḥ tvam yadyapi āḍhyaḥ na rājā na ca daivatam
devatvam prāpya ca indratvam na eva tuṣyeḥ tathā sati
24. yadyapi tvam āḍhyaḥ bhaveḥ,
na rājā,
na ca daivatam.
ca devatvam indratvam prāpya,
tathā sati na eva tuṣyeḥ.
24. Even if you were to become wealthy - not a king, nor a deity - and even if you attained godhood and the status of Indra, you would still not be satisfied in such a state.
न तृप्तिः प्रियलाभेऽस्ति तृष्णा नाद्भिः प्रशाम्यति ।
संप्रज्वलति सा भूयः समिद्भिरिव पावकः ॥२५॥
25. na tṛptiḥ priyalābhe'sti tṛṣṇā nādbhiḥ praśāmyati ,
saṁprajvalati sā bhūyaḥ samidbhiriva pāvakaḥ.
25. na tṛptiḥ priyalābhe asti tṛṣṇā na adbhiḥ praśāmyati
saṃprajvalati sā bhūyaḥ samidbhiḥ iva pāvakaḥ
25. priyalābhe tṛptiḥ na asti.
adbhiḥ tṛṣṇā na praśāmyati.
sā samidbhiḥ pāvakaḥ iva bhūyaḥ saṃprajvalati.
25. No satisfaction (tṛpti) is found in the attainment of desired objects. Craving (tṛṣṇā) is not pacified by water. Rather, it flares up again, just like a fire with fuel sticks (samidh).
अस्त्येव त्वयि शोको वै हर्षश्चास्ति तथा त्वयि ।
सुखदुःखे तथा चोभे तत्र का परिदेवना ॥२६॥
26. astyeva tvayi śoko vai harṣaścāsti tathā tvayi ,
sukhaduḥkhe tathā cobhe tatra kā paridevanā.
26. asti eva tvayi śokaḥ vai harṣaḥ ca asti tathā
tvayi sukhaduḥkhe tathā ca ubhe tatra kā paridevanā
26. tvayi śokaḥ vai eva asti.
tathā ca tvayi harṣaḥ asti.
tathā ca ubhe sukhaduḥkhe [asti].
tatra kā paridevanā.
26. Sorrow certainly resides within you, and joy also dwells there. Both happiness and distress are present. Therefore, what cause for lamentation is there?
परिच्छिद्यैव कामानां सर्वेषां चैव कर्मणाम् ।
मूलं रुन्धीन्द्रियग्रामं शकुन्तानिव पञ्जरे ॥२७॥
27. paricchidyaiva kāmānāṁ sarveṣāṁ caiva karmaṇām ,
mūlaṁ rundhīndriyagrāmaṁ śakuntāniva pañjare.
27. paricchidya eva kāmānām sarveṣām ca eva karmaṇām
mūlam rundhi indriyagrāmam śakuntān iva pañjare
27. sarveṣām kāmānām ca eva karmaṇām paricchidya eva,
mūlam indriyagrāmam rundhi,
pañjare śakuntān iva.
27. Having completely severed all desires and indeed all actions (karma), block the root, the group of senses (indriyagrāma), like birds in a cage.
न खल्वप्यरसज्ञस्य कामः क्वचन जायते ।
संस्पर्शाद्दर्शनाद्वापि श्रवणाद्वापि जायते ॥२८॥
28. na khalvapyarasajñasya kāmaḥ kvacana jāyate ,
saṁsparśāddarśanādvāpi śravaṇādvāpi jāyate.
28. na khalu api arasajñasya kāmaḥ kvacana jāyate
saṃsparśāt darśanāt vā api śravaṇāt vā api jāyate
28. khalu api arasajñasya kāmaḥ kvacana na jāyate.
saṃsparśāt vā api darśanāt vā api śravaṇāt jāyate.
28. Indeed, desire (kāma) does not arise anywhere for one who lacks the capacity for enjoyment (arasajña). Rather, it arises from touch, or from sight, or from hearing.
न त्वं स्मरसि वारुण्या लट्वाकानां च पक्षिणाम् ।
ताभ्यां चाभ्यधिको भक्ष्यो न कश्चिद्विद्यते क्वचित् ॥२९॥
29. na tvaṁ smarasi vāruṇyā laṭvākānāṁ ca pakṣiṇām ,
tābhyāṁ cābhyadhiko bhakṣyo na kaścidvidyate kvacit.
29. na tvam smarasi vāruṇyā laṭvākānām ca pakṣiṇām tābhyām
ca abhyadhikaḥ bhakṣyaḥ na kaścit vidyate kvacit
29. tvam vāruṇyā laṭvākānām pakṣiṇām ca na smarasi tābhyām
ca abhyadhikaḥ bhakṣyaḥ kaścit kvacit na vidyate
29. You do not recall the liquor called Varuni, nor the quail-birds. Nowhere is there any food superior to these two.
यानि चान्यानि दूरेषु भक्ष्यभोज्यानि काश्यप ।
येषामभुक्तपूर्वं ते तेषामस्मृतिरेव च ॥३०॥
30. yāni cānyāni dūreṣu bhakṣyabhojyāni kāśyapa ,
yeṣāmabhuktapūrvaṁ te teṣāmasmṛtireva ca.
30. yāni ca anyāni dūreṣu bhakṣyabhojyāni kāśyapa
yeṣām abhuktapūrvam te teṣām asmṛtiḥ eva ca
30. kāśyapa yāni ca anyāni dūreṣu bhakṣyabhojyāni
yeṣām te abhuktapūrvam teṣām asmṛtiḥ eva ca
30. O Kaśyapa, whatever other foods and eatables there are in distant places, of those that you have not tasted before, there is indeed no memory.
अप्राशनमसंस्पर्शमसंदर्शनमेव च ।
पुरुषस्यैष नियमो मन्ये श्रेयो न संशयः ॥३१॥
31. aprāśanamasaṁsparśamasaṁdarśanameva ca ,
puruṣasyaiṣa niyamo manye śreyo na saṁśayaḥ.
31. aprāśanam asaṃsparśam asandarśanam eva ca
puruṣasya eṣa niyamaḥ manye śreyaḥ na saṃśayaḥ
31. puruṣasya eṣa niyamaḥ aprāśanam asaṃsparśam
asandarśanam eva ca śreyaḥ manye na saṃśayaḥ
31. Not eating, not touching, and indeed not even looking at (such things) – this is a regulation (niyama) for a person (puruṣa). I believe it is for one's good, without a doubt.
पाणिमन्तो धनैर्युक्ता बलवन्तो न संशयः ।
मनुष्या मानुषैरेव दासत्वमुपपादिताः ॥३२॥
32. pāṇimanto dhanairyuktā balavanto na saṁśayaḥ ,
manuṣyā mānuṣaireva dāsatvamupapāditāḥ.
32. pāṇimantaḥ dhanaiḥ yuktāḥ balavantaḥ na saṃśayaḥ
manuṣyāḥ mānuṣaiḥ eva dāsatvam upapāditāḥ
32. na saṃśayaḥ pāṇimantaḥ dhanaiḥ yuktāḥ balavantaḥ
manuṣyāḥ mānuṣaiḥ eva dāsatvam upapāditāḥ
32. Without a doubt, even those human beings who are capable, endowed with wealth, and strong are reduced to servitude by (other) human beings themselves.
वधबन्धपरिक्लेशैः क्लिश्यन्ते च पुनः पुनः ।
ते खल्वपि रमन्ते च मोदन्ते च हसन्ति च ॥३३॥
33. vadhabandhaparikleśaiḥ kliśyante ca punaḥ punaḥ ,
te khalvapi ramante ca modante ca hasanti ca.
33. vadhabandha-parikleśaiḥ kliśyante ca punaḥ punaḥ
te khalu api ramante ca modante ca hasanti ca
33. te khalu api vadhabandha-parikleśaiḥ punaḥ punaḥ
ca kliśyante ca ramante ca modante ca hasanti ca
33. They are repeatedly tormented by the troubles of slaughter and bondage. Yet, they also rejoice, delight, and laugh.
अपरे बाहुबलिनः कृतविद्या मनस्विनः ।
जुगुप्सितां सुकृपणां पापां वृत्तिमुपासते ॥३४॥
34. apare bāhubalinaḥ kṛtavidyā manasvinaḥ ,
jugupsitāṁ sukṛpaṇāṁ pāpāṁ vṛttimupāsate.
34. apare bāhubalinaḥ kṛtavidyāḥ manasvinaḥ
jugupsitām sukṛpaṇām pāpām vṛttim upāsate
34. apare bāhubalinaḥ kṛtavidyāḥ manasvinaḥ
jugupsitām sukṛpaṇām pāpām vṛttim upāsate
34. Others, though strong-armed, educated, and intelligent, pursue a despicable, extremely wretched, and sinful livelihood.
उत्सहन्ते च ते वृत्तिमन्यामप्युपसेवितुम् ।
स्वकर्मणा तु नियतं भवितव्यं तु तत्तथा ॥३५॥
35. utsahante ca te vṛttimanyāmapyupasevitum ,
svakarmaṇā tu niyataṁ bhavitavyaṁ tu tattathā.
35. utsahante ca te vṛttim anyām api upasevitum
svakarmanā tu niyatam bhavitavyam tu tat tathā
35. te ca anyām vṛttim api upasevitum utsahante tu
svakarmanā tat tathā niyatam bhavitavyam tu
35. And they are eager to follow another profession. But it is certain that one's own action (karma) must necessarily be that way.
न पुल्कसो न चण्डाल आत्मानं त्यक्तुमिच्छति ।
असंतुष्टः स्वया योन्या मायां पश्यस्व यादृशीम् ॥३६॥
36. na pulkaso na caṇḍāla ātmānaṁ tyaktumicchati ,
asaṁtuṣṭaḥ svayā yonyā māyāṁ paśyasva yādṛśīm.
36. na pulkasaḥ na caṇḍālaḥ ātmānam tyaktum icchati
asantuṣṭaḥ svayā yonyā māyām paśyasva yādṛśīm
36. pulkasaḥ na caṇḍālaḥ na ātmānam tyaktum icchati
svayā yonyā asantuṣṭaḥ yādṛśīm māyām paśyasva
36. Neither a Pulkasa nor a Chaṇḍāla wishes to abandon his self (ātman). Behold the kind of illusion (māyā) that arises from discontent with one's own birth.
दृष्ट्वा कुणीन्पक्षहतान्मनुष्यानामयाविनः ।
सुसंपूर्णः स्वया योन्या लब्धलाभोऽसि काश्यप ॥३७॥
37. dṛṣṭvā kuṇīnpakṣahatānmanuṣyānāmayāvinaḥ ,
susaṁpūrṇaḥ svayā yonyā labdhalābho'si kāśyapa.
37. dṛṣṭvā kuṇīn pakṣahatān manuṣyān āmayāvinaḥ
susaṃpūrṇaḥ svayā yonyā labdhalābhaḥ asi kāśyapa
37. kāśyapa kuṇīn pakṣahatān āmayāvinaḥ manuṣyān
dṛṣṭvā svayā yonyā susaṃpūrṇaḥ labdhalābhaḥ asi
37. O Kaśyapa, having seen humans who are crippled, paralyzed, and diseased, you are perfectly complete in your own being, and thus very fortunate.
यदि ब्राह्मण देहस्ते निरातङ्को निरामयः ।
अङ्गानि च समग्राणि न च लोकेषु धिक्कृतः ॥३८॥
38. yadi brāhmaṇa dehaste nirātaṅko nirāmayaḥ ,
aṅgāni ca samagrāṇi na ca lokeṣu dhikkṛtaḥ.
38. yadi brāhmaṇa dehaḥ te nirātaṅkaḥ nirāmayaḥ
aṅgāni ca samagrāṇi na ca lokeṣu dhikkṛtaḥ
38. brāhmaṇa yadi te dehaḥ nirātaṅkaḥ nirāmayaḥ
ca aṅgāni samagrāṇi ca lokeṣu na dhikkṛtaḥ
38. O Brahmin, if your body is free from distress and illness, and your limbs are all sound, and you are not scorned by others in the world...
न केनचित्प्रवादेन सत्येनैवापहारिणा ।
धर्मायोत्तिष्ठ विप्रर्षे नात्मानं त्यक्तुमर्हसि ॥३९॥
39. na kenacitpravādena satyenaivāpahāriṇā ,
dharmāyottiṣṭha viprarṣe nātmānaṁ tyaktumarhasi.
39. na kenacit pravādena satyena eva apahāriṇā dharmāya
uttiṣṭha viprarṣe na ātmānam tyaktum arhasi
39. viprarṣe kenacit pravādena satyena eva apahāriṇā
na dharmāya uttiṣṭha ātmānam tyaktum na arhasi
39. O Brahmin-sage, you must not stand (aside) by any pretext or by undermining truth (satya); rise for (natural) law (dharma)! You ought not to abandon your true self (ātman).
यदि ब्रह्मञ्शृणोष्येतच्छ्रद्दधासि च मे वचः ।
वेदोक्तस्य च धर्मस्य फलं मुख्यमवाप्स्यसि ॥४०॥
40. yadi brahmañśṛṇoṣyetacchraddadhāsi ca me vacaḥ ,
vedoktasya ca dharmasya phalaṁ mukhyamavāpsyasi.
40. yadi brahman śṛṇoṣi etat śraddadhāsi ca me vacaḥ
vedoktasya ca dharmasya phalam mukhyam avāpsyasi
40. brahman yadi etat śṛṇoṣi ca me vacaḥ śraddadhāsi
vedoktasya ca dharmasya mukhyam phalam avāpsyasi
40. O Brahmin, if you listen to this and have faith (śraddhā) in my words, you will attain the principal fruit of the (natural) law (dharma) as declared in the Vedas.
स्वाध्यायमग्निसंस्कारमप्रमत्तोऽनुपालय ।
सत्यं दमं च दानं च स्पर्धिष्ठा मा च केनचित् ॥४१॥
41. svādhyāyamagnisaṁskāramapramatto'nupālaya ,
satyaṁ damaṁ ca dānaṁ ca spardhiṣṭhā mā ca kenacit.
41. svādhyāyam agnisaṃskāram apramattaḥ anupālaya
satyam damam ca dānam ca spardhiṣṭhā mā ca kenacit
41. apramattaḥ svādhyāyam agnisaṃskāram anupālaya
satyam damam ca dānam ca kenacit ca mā spardhiṣṭhā
41. Diligently observe self-study and fire rituals (saṃskāra). Practice truth, self-restraint, and charity (dāna), and never contend with anyone.
ये केचन स्वध्ययनाः प्राप्ता यजनयाजनम् ।
कथं ते जातु शोचेयुर्ध्यायेयुर्वाप्यशोभनम् ॥४२॥
42. ye kecana svadhyayanāḥ prāptā yajanayājanam ,
kathaṁ te jātu śoceyurdhyāyeyurvāpyaśobhanam.
42. ye kecana svadhyayanāḥ prāptāḥ yajana-yājanam
katham te jātu śoceyuḥ dhyāyeyuḥ vā api aśobhanam
42. ye kecana svadhyayanāḥ yajana-yājanam prāptāḥ te
jātu katham śoceyuḥ vā api aśobhanam dhyāyeyuḥ
42. How could those who, through their own study, have attained the performance of Vedic rituals (yajña) and the causing of others to perform them, ever grieve or even contemplate anything inauspicious?
इच्छन्तस्ते विहाराय सुखं महदवाप्नुयुः ।
उत जाताः सुनक्षत्रे सुतीर्थाः सुमुहूर्तजाः ॥४३॥
43. icchantaste vihārāya sukhaṁ mahadavāpnuyuḥ ,
uta jātāḥ sunakṣatre sutīrthāḥ sumuhūrtajāḥ.
43. icchantaḥ te vihārāya sukham mahat avāpnuyuḥ
uta jātāḥ sunakṣatre sutīrthāḥ sumuhūrtajāḥ
43. icchantaḥ te vihārāya mahat sukham avāpnuyuḥ
uta sunakṣatre sutīrthāḥ sumuhūrtajāḥ jātāḥ
43. Desiring enjoyment, they would attain great happiness. Furthermore, such individuals are born under auspicious constellations, in sacred places, and at propitious moments.
नक्षत्रेष्वासुरेष्वन्ये दुस्तीर्था दुर्मुहूर्तजाः ।
संपतन्त्यासुरीं योनिं यज्ञप्रसववर्जिताम् ॥४४॥
44. nakṣatreṣvāsureṣvanye dustīrthā durmuhūrtajāḥ ,
saṁpatantyāsurīṁ yoniṁ yajñaprasavavarjitām.
44. nakṣatreṣu āsureṣu anye dustīrthāḥ durmuhūrtajāḥ
saṃpatanti āsurīm yonim yajñaprasavavarjitām
44. anye nakṣatreṣu āsureṣu dustīrthāḥ durmuhūrtajāḥ
yajñaprasavavarjitām āsurīm yonim saṃpatanti
44. Others, born under inauspicious constellations, in unholy places, and at ill-omened moments, fall into a demonic realm, devoid of the benefits of Vedic rituals (yajña).
अहमासं पण्डितको हैतुको वेदनिन्दकः ।
आन्वीक्षिकीं तर्कविद्यामनुरक्तो निरर्थिकाम् ॥४५॥
45. ahamāsaṁ paṇḍitako haituko vedanindakaḥ ,
ānvīkṣikīṁ tarkavidyāmanurakto nirarthikām.
45. aham āsam paṇḍitakaḥ haitukaḥ vedanindakaḥ
ānvīkṣikīm tarkavidyām anuraktaḥ nirarthikām
45. aham paṇḍitakaḥ haitukaḥ vedanindakaḥ
nirarthikām ānvīkṣikīm tarkavidyām anuraktaḥ āsam
45. I was a pseudo-scholar, a sophist, and a denigrator of the Vedas. I was devoted to the useless science of logic and speculative philosophy.
हेतुवादान्प्रवदिता वक्ता संसत्सु हेतुमत् ।
आक्रोष्टा चाभिवक्ता च ब्रह्मयज्ञेषु वै द्विजान् ॥४६॥
46. hetuvādānpravaditā vaktā saṁsatsu hetumat ,
ākroṣṭā cābhivaktā ca brahmayajñeṣu vai dvijān.
46. hetuvādān pravaditā vaktā saṃsatsu hetumat
ākroṣṭā ca abhivaktā ca brahmayajñeṣu vai dvijān
46. hetuvādān pravaditā saṃsatsu hetumat vaktā ca
brahmayajñeṣu vai dvijān ākroṣṭā ca abhivaktā
46. I expounded sophistical arguments, acting as a logical speaker in assemblies. I was also a reviler and an accuser of Brahmins (dvijān) during Brahma (yajña) ceremonies.
नास्तिकः सर्वशङ्की च मूर्खः पण्डितमानिकः ।
तस्येयं फलनिर्वृत्तिः सृगालत्वं मम द्विज ॥४७॥
47. nāstikaḥ sarvaśaṅkī ca mūrkhaḥ paṇḍitamānikaḥ ,
tasyeyaṁ phalanirvṛttiḥ sṛgālatvaṁ mama dvija.
47. nāstikaḥ sarvaśaṅkī ca mūrkhaḥ paṇḍitamānikaḥ
tasya iyam phalanirvṛttiḥ sṛgālatvam mama dvija
47. dvija nāstikaḥ sarvaśaṅkī ca mūrkhaḥ paṇḍitamānikaḥ
tasya iyam mama sṛgālatvam phalanirvṛttiḥ
47. I was an atheist, a universal skeptic, and a fool who considered himself a scholar. O Brahmin, this present condition of being a jackal is the consequence for me.
अपि जातु तथा तत्स्यादहोरात्रशतैरपि ।
यदहं मानुषीं योनिं सृगालः प्राप्नुयां पुनः ॥४८॥
48. api jātu tathā tatsyādahorātraśatairapi ,
yadahaṁ mānuṣīṁ yoniṁ sṛgālaḥ prāpnuyāṁ punaḥ.
48. api jātu tathā tat syāt ahorātraśataiḥ api
yat aham mānuṣīm yonim sṛgālaḥ prāpnuyām punaḥ
48. api jātu tathā tat syāt api ahorātraśataiḥ
yat aham sṛgālaḥ punaḥ mānuṣīm yonim prāpnuyām
48. Will it ever happen, that even after hundreds of days and nights, I, a jackal, might again attain a human existence?
संतुष्टश्चाप्रमत्तश्च यज्ञदानतपोरतिः ।
ज्ञेयज्ञाता भवेयं वै वर्ज्यवर्जयिता तथा ॥४९॥
49. saṁtuṣṭaścāpramattaśca yajñadānataporatiḥ ,
jñeyajñātā bhaveyaṁ vai varjyavarjayitā tathā.
49. saṃtuṣṭaḥ ca apramattaḥ ca yajña dāna tapas ratiḥ
jñeyajñātā bhaveyam vai varjyavarjayitā tathā
49. [aham] saṃtuṣṭaḥ ca apramattaḥ ca yajñadānataporatiḥ
jñeyajñātā ca tathā varjyavarjayitā vai bhaveyam
49. May I indeed be content and vigilant, one who delights in Vedic rituals (yajña), charity (dāna), and austerity (tapas). May I be a knower of what is to be known, and similarly, one who avoids what is to be avoided.
ततः स मुनिरुत्थाय काश्यपस्तमुवाच ह ।
अहो बतासि कुशलो बुद्धिमानिति विस्मितः ॥५०॥
50. tataḥ sa munirutthāya kāśyapastamuvāca ha ,
aho batāsi kuśalo buddhimāniti vismitaḥ.
50. tataḥ saḥ muniḥ utthāya kāśyapaḥ tam uvāca ha
aho bata asi kuśalaḥ buddhimān iti vismitaḥ
50. tataḥ saḥ muniḥ kāśyapaḥ utthāya tam ha uvāca aho
bata (tvam) kuśalaḥ buddhimān asi iti (saḥ) vismitaḥ
50. Then that sage Kaśyapa, having risen, said to him, 'Oh, how astonishing! You are indeed skilled and intelligent!' Thus, he was amazed.
समवैक्षत तं विप्रो ज्ञानदीर्घेण चक्षुषा ।
ददर्श चैनं देवानामिन्द्रं देवं शचीपतिम् ॥५१॥
51. samavaikṣata taṁ vipro jñānadīrgheṇa cakṣuṣā ,
dadarśa cainaṁ devānāmindraṁ devaṁ śacīpatim.
51. samavaikṣata tam vipraḥ jñānadīrgheṇa cakṣuṣā
dadarśa ca enam devānām indram devam śacīpatim
51. vipraḥ tam jñānadīrgheṇa cakṣuṣā samavaikṣata
ca enam devānām indram devam śacīpatim dadarśa
51. The Brahmin observed him with an eye made profound by wisdom. And he saw him as Indra, the lord of the gods, the divine husband of Śacī.
ततः संपूजयामास काश्यपो हरिवाहनम् ।
अनुज्ञातश्च तेनाथ प्रविवेश स्वमाश्रमम् ॥५२॥
52. tataḥ saṁpūjayāmāsa kāśyapo harivāhanam ,
anujñātaśca tenātha praviveśa svamāśramam.
52. tataḥ sampūjayāmāsa kāśyapaḥ harivāhanam
anujñātaḥ ca tena atha praviveśa svam āśramam
52. tataḥ kāśyapaḥ harivāhanam sampūjayāmāsa ca
tena anujñātaḥ atha svam āśramam praviveśa
52. Then Kaśyapa worshipped him, the one whose vehicle is Hari's (i.e., Indra). And, being given permission by him, he then entered his own hermitage (āśrama).