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महाभारतः       mahābhārataḥ - book-12, chapter-287

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भीष्म उवाच ।
पुनरेव तु पप्रच्छ जनको मिथिलाधिपः ।
पराशरं महात्मानं धर्मे परमनिश्चयम् ॥१॥
1. bhīṣma uvāca ,
punareva tu papraccha janako mithilādhipaḥ ,
parāśaraṁ mahātmānaṁ dharme paramaniścayam.
1. bhīṣma uvāca punar eva tu papraccha janakaḥ
mithilādhipaḥ parāśaram mahātmānam dharme paramaniścayam
1. bhīṣma uvāca janakaḥ mithilādhipaḥ punar eva tu
mahātmānam parāśaram dharme paramaniścayam papraccha
1. Bhishma said: Again, Janaka, the king of Mithila, questioned the great-souled Parashara, who possessed supreme certainty regarding the natural law (dharma).
किं श्रेयः का गतिर्ब्रह्मन्किं कृतं न विनश्यति ।
क्व गतो न निवर्तेत तन्मे ब्रूहि महामुने ॥२॥
2. kiṁ śreyaḥ kā gatirbrahmankiṁ kṛtaṁ na vinaśyati ,
kva gato na nivarteta tanme brūhi mahāmune.
2. kim śreyaḥ kā gatiḥ brahman kim kṛtam na vinaśyati
kva gataḥ na nivarteta tat me brūhi mahāmune
2. brahman mahāmune kim śreyaḥ kā gatiḥ kim kṛtam
na vinaśyati kva gataḥ na nivarteta tat me brūhi
2. O Brahmin, O great sage, what is the supreme good? What is the ultimate destination? What action, once performed, is not destroyed? And having gone where does one not return (to the cycle of transmigration (saṃsāra))? Please tell me that.
पराशर उवाच ।
असङ्गः श्रेयसो मूलं ज्ञानं ज्ञानगतिः परा ।
चीर्णं तपो न प्रणश्येद्वापः क्षेत्रे न नश्यति ॥३॥
3. parāśara uvāca ,
asaṅgaḥ śreyaso mūlaṁ jñānaṁ jñānagatiḥ parā ,
cīrṇaṁ tapo na praṇaśyedvāpaḥ kṣetre na naśyati.
3. parāśara uvāca asaṅgaḥ śreyasaḥ mūlam jñānam jñānagatiḥ
parā cīrṇam tapaḥ na praṇaśyet vāpaḥ kṣetre na naśyati
3. parāśara uvāca asaṅgaḥ śreyasaḥ mūlam jñānam parā jñānagatiḥ
cīrṇam tapaḥ na praṇaśyet vāpaḥ kṣetre na naśyati
3. Parashara replied: Non-attachment (asaṅga) is the root of the supreme good. True knowledge is the ultimate destination. Practiced spiritual austerity (tapas) does not go to waste; just as a seed sown in fertile ground never perishes.
छित्त्वाधर्ममयं पाशं यदा धर्मेऽभिरज्यते ।
दत्त्वाभयकृतं दानं तदा सिद्धिमवाप्नुयात् ॥४॥
4. chittvādharmamayaṁ pāśaṁ yadā dharme'bhirajyate ,
dattvābhayakṛtaṁ dānaṁ tadā siddhimavāpnuyāt.
4. chittvā adharmamayam pāśam yadā dharme abhirajyate
dattvā abhayakṛtam dānam tadā siddhim avāpnuyāt
4. yadā adharmamayam pāśam chittvā dharme abhirajyate
abhayakṛtam dānam dattvā tadā siddhim avāpnuyāt
4. When one has cut the bonds of unrighteousness and takes delight in the natural law (dharma), and having given the gift (dāna) of fearlessness, then one attains spiritual perfection (siddhi).
यो ददाति सहस्राणि गवामश्वशतानि च ।
अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यस्तद्दानमतिवर्तते ॥५॥
5. yo dadāti sahasrāṇi gavāmaśvaśatāni ca ,
abhayaṁ sarvabhūtebhyastaddānamativartate.
5. yaḥ dadāti sahasrāṇi gavām aśvaśatāni ca |
abhayam sarvabhūtebhyaḥ tat dānam ativartate
5. sarvabhūtebhyaḥ abhayam tat dānam sahasrāṇi
gavām ca aśvaśatāni (dānam) ativartate
5. The gift of fearlessness (abhayam) to all beings surpasses even the giving of thousands of cows and hundreds of horses.
वसन्विषयमध्येऽपि न वसत्येव बुद्धिमान् ।
संवसत्येव दुर्बुद्धिरसत्सु विषयेष्वपि ॥६॥
6. vasanviṣayamadhye'pi na vasatyeva buddhimān ,
saṁvasatyeva durbuddhirasatsu viṣayeṣvapi.
6. vasan viṣayamadhye api na vasati eva buddhimān
| saṃvasati eva durbuddhiḥ asatsu viṣayeṣu api
6. buddhimān vasan viṣayamadhye api,
na eva vasati.
durbuddhiḥ asatsu viṣayeṣu api eva saṃvasati
6. Even while living amidst the objects of senses, a wise person (buddhimān) does not truly dwell (in them). But a foolish person (durbuddhi) thoroughly dwells even in undesirable sense objects.
नाधर्मः श्लिष्यते प्राज्ञमापः पुष्करपर्णवत् ।
अप्राज्ञमधिकं पापं श्लिष्यते जतु काष्ठवत् ॥७॥
7. nādharmaḥ śliṣyate prājñamāpaḥ puṣkaraparṇavat ,
aprājñamadhikaṁ pāpaṁ śliṣyate jatu kāṣṭhavat.
7. na adharmaḥ śliṣyate prājñam āpaḥ puṣkaraparṇavat
| aprājñam adhikam pāpam śliṣyate jatu kāṣṭhavat
7. āpaḥ puṣkaraparṇavat (yathā),
(tathā) adharmaḥ prājñam na śliṣyate.
jatu kāṣṭhavat (yathā),
(tathā) adhikam pāpam aprājñam śliṣyate
7. Unrighteousness (adharma) does not adhere to a wise person, just as water does not adhere to a lotus leaf. However, sin (pāpam) greatly clings to an unwise person, just as lac adheres to wood.
नाधर्मः कारणापेक्षी कर्तारमभिमुञ्चति ।
कर्ता खलु यथाकालं तत्सर्वमभिपद्यते ।
न भिद्यन्ते कृतात्मान आत्मप्रत्ययदर्शिनः ॥८॥
8. nādharmaḥ kāraṇāpekṣī kartāramabhimuñcati ,
kartā khalu yathākālaṁ tatsarvamabhipadyate ,
na bhidyante kṛtātmāna ātmapratyayadarśinaḥ.
8. na adharmaḥ kāraṇāpekṣī kartāram
abhimuñcati | kartā khalu yathākālam
tat sarvam abhipadyate | na
bhidyante kṛtātmānaḥ ātmapratyayadarśinaḥ
8. adharmaḥ kāraṇāpekṣī (san) kartāram na abhimuñcati.
kartā khalu yathākālam tat sarvam abhipadyate.
kṛtātmānaḥ ātmapratyayadarśinaḥ na bhidyante
8. Unrighteousness (adharma) does not await a specific cause to abandon the doer. The doer (kartā), in due time, certainly experiences all its consequences. Those whose inner self (ātman) is disciplined and who perceive the true nature of the self (ātman) are not disturbed.
बुद्धिकर्मेन्द्रियाणां हि प्रमत्तो यो न बुध्यते ।
शुभाशुभेषु सक्तात्मा प्राप्नोति सुमहद्भयम् ॥९॥
9. buddhikarmendriyāṇāṁ hi pramatto yo na budhyate ,
śubhāśubheṣu saktātmā prāpnoti sumahadbhayam.
9. buddhikarmendriyāṇām hi pramattaḥ yaḥ na budhyate
śubhāśubheṣu saktātmā prāpnoti sumahat bhayam
9. yaḥ buddhikarmendriyāṇām hi pramattaḥ na budhyate,
śubhāśubheṣu saktātmā (san),
(saḥ) sumahat bhayam prāpnoti
9. Indeed, whoever is negligent and does not understand (the nature or proper function) of their intellect and organs of action, and whose mind (ātman) remains attached to both auspicious and inauspicious matters, certainly encounters very great fear.
वीतरागो जितक्रोधः सम्यग्भवति यः सदा ।
विषये वर्तमानोऽपि न स पापेन युज्यते ॥१०॥
10. vītarāgo jitakrodhaḥ samyagbhavati yaḥ sadā ,
viṣaye vartamāno'pi na sa pāpena yujyate.
10. vītarāgaḥ jitakrodhaḥ samyak bhavati yaḥ sadā
viṣaye vartamānaḥ api na saḥ pāpena yujyate
10. yaḥ sadā vītarāgaḥ jitakrodhaḥ samyak bhavati,
(saḥ) viṣaye vartamānaḥ api saḥ pāpena na yujyate
10. Whoever is always free from attachment and has conquered anger truly achieves perfection. Even while engaged in worldly matters, he is not tainted by sin.
मर्यादायां धर्मसेतुर्निबद्धो नैव सीदति ।
पुष्टस्रोत इवायत्तः स्फीतो भवति संचयः ॥११॥
11. maryādāyāṁ dharmaseturnibaddho naiva sīdati ,
puṣṭasrota ivāyattaḥ sphīto bhavati saṁcayaḥ.
11. maryādāyām dharmasetuḥ nibaddhaḥ na eva sīdati
puṣṭasrotaḥ iva āyattaḥ sphītaḥ bhavati sañcayaḥ
11. maryādāyām dharmasetuḥ nibaddhaḥ (san) na eva sīdati.
āyattaḥ puṣṭasrotaḥ iva sañcayaḥ sphītaḥ bhavati
11. A boundary, which is like a dam (setu) of natural law (dharma), when firmly established, never collapses. Just as a well-fed stream flows abundantly, so too does a collection (of merit or resources) become prosperous and plentiful.
यथा भानुगतं तेजो मणिः शुद्धः समाधिना ।
आदत्ते राजशार्दूल तथा योगः प्रवर्तते ॥१२॥
12. yathā bhānugataṁ tejo maṇiḥ śuddhaḥ samādhinā ,
ādatte rājaśārdūla tathā yogaḥ pravartate.
12. yathā bhānugatam tejaḥ maṇiḥ śuddhaḥ samādhinā
ādatte rājaśārdūla tathā yogaḥ pravartate
12. rājaśārdūla,
yathā śuddhaḥ maṇiḥ bhānugatam tejaḥ samādhinā ādatte,
tathā yogaḥ pravartate
12. O tiger among kings, just as a pure gem absorbs the sun's light through profound concentration (samādhi), so too does the practice of yoga proceed.
यथा तिलानामिह पुष्पसंश्रयात्पृथक्पृथग्याति गुणोऽतिसौम्यताम् ।
तथा नराणां भुवि भावितात्मनां यथाश्रयं सत्त्वगुणः प्रवर्तते ॥१३॥
13. yathā tilānāmiha puṣpasaṁśrayā;tpṛthakpṛthagyāti guṇo'tisaumyatām ,
tathā narāṇāṁ bhuvi bhāvitātmanāṁ; yathāśrayaṁ sattvaguṇaḥ pravartate.
13. yathā tilānām iha puṣpasaṃśrayāt
pṛthak pṛthak yāti guṇaḥ ati-saumyatām
tathā narāṇām bhuvi bhāvitātmanām
yathāśrayam sattva-guṇaḥ pravartate
13. yathā iha tilānām puṣpasaṃśrayāt
guṇaḥ pṛthak pṛthak ati-saumyatām yāti
tathā bhuvi bhāvitātmanām narāṇām
sattva-guṇaḥ yathāśrayam pravartate
13. Just as the inherent quality of sesame seeds, through association with flowers, gradually acquires extreme fragrance, so too among people on earth whose inner self (ātman) has been cultivated, the quality of goodness (sattva-guṇa) manifests according to their environment or associations.
जहाति दारानिहते न संपदः सदश्वयानं विविधाश्च याः क्रियाः ।
त्रिविष्टपे जातमतिर्यदा नरस्तदास्य बुद्धिर्विषयेषु भिद्यते ॥१४॥
14. jahāti dārānihate na saṁpadaḥ; sadaśvayānaṁ vividhāśca yāḥ kriyāḥ ,
triviṣṭape jātamatiryadā nara;stadāsya buddhirviṣayeṣu bhidyate.
14. jahāti dārān īhate na saṃpadaḥ
sadaśvayānam vividhāḥ ca yāḥ kriyāḥ
triviṣṭape jātamatiḥ yadā naraḥ
tadā asya buddhiḥ viṣayeṣu bhidyate
14. yadā naraḥ triviṣṭape jātamatiḥ
tadā asya buddhiḥ viṣayeṣu bhidyate
dārān jahāti saṃpadaḥ sadaśvayānam
ca yāḥ vividhāḥ kriyāḥ na īhate
14. When a person's mind (mati) is fixed on heaven (triviṣṭapa), then his intellect (buddhi) becomes detached from worldly objects. He abandons his wives and no longer desires wealth, fine chariots drawn by good horses, or various other activities.
प्रसक्तबुद्धिर्विषयेषु यो नरो यो बुध्यते ह्यात्महितं कदा च न ।
स सर्वभावानुगतेन चेतसा नृपामिषेणेव झषो विकृष्यते ॥१५॥
15. prasaktabuddhirviṣayeṣu yo naro; yo budhyate hyātmahitaṁ kadā ca na ,
sa sarvabhāvānugatena cetasā; nṛpāmiṣeṇeva jhaṣo vikṛṣyate.
15. prasaktabuddhiḥ viṣayeṣu yaḥ naraḥ
yaḥ budhyate hi ātmahitam kadā
ca na saḥ sarvabhāvānugatena cetasā
nṛpāmiṣeṇa iva jhaṣaḥ vikṛṣyate
15. yaḥ naraḥ viṣayeṣu prasaktabuddhiḥ
ca yaḥ ātmahitam hi kadā na
budhyate saḥ sarvabhāvānugatena cetasā
nṛpāmiṣeṇa iva jhaṣaḥ vikṛṣyate
15. That person whose intellect (buddhi) is absorbed in worldly objects and who never comprehends what is beneficial for his true self (ātman), such a person is dragged along by a mind (cetas) that follows all inclinations, just as a fish (jhaṣa) is pulled by a king's bait.
संघातवान्मर्त्यलोकः परस्परमपाश्रितः ।
कदलीगर्भनिःसारो नौरिवाप्सु निमज्जति ॥१६॥
16. saṁghātavānmartyalokaḥ parasparamapāśritaḥ ,
kadalīgarbhaniḥsāro naurivāpsu nimajjati.
16. saṃghātavān martyalokaḥ parasparam apāśritaḥ
kadalīgarbhaniḥsāraḥ nauḥ iva apsu nimajjati
16. martyalokaḥ saṃghātavān parasparam apāśritaḥ
kadalīgarbhaniḥsāraḥ nauḥ iva apsu nimajjati
16. This mortal world (martyaloka), though appearing as a combination and mutually interdependent, is as devoid of substance as the core of a banana tree. Like a boat, it sinks in water.
न धर्मकालः पुरुषस्य निश्चितो न चापि मृत्युः पुरुषं प्रतीक्षते ।
क्रिया हि धर्मस्य सदैव शोभना यदा नरो मृत्युमुखेऽभिवर्तते ॥१७॥
17. na dharmakālaḥ puruṣasya niścito; na cāpi mṛtyuḥ puruṣaṁ pratīkṣate ,
kriyā hi dharmasya sadaiva śobhanā; yadā naro mṛtyumukhe'bhivartate.
17. na dharmakālaḥ puruṣasya niścitaḥ
na ca api mṛtyuḥ puruṣam pratīkṣate
kriyā hi dharmasya sadaiva śobhanā
yadā naraḥ mṛtyumukhe abhivartate
17. puruṣasya dharmakālaḥ na niścitaḥ
ca api mṛtyuḥ puruṣam na pratīkṣate
hi yadā naraḥ mṛtyumukhe abhivartate
dharmasya kriyā sadaiva śobhanā
17. A person's time for practicing their natural law (dharma) is not fixed, nor does death wait for anyone. Therefore, performing one's natural law (dharma) is always commendable, especially when a person is approaching the jaws of death.
यथान्धः स्वगृहे युक्तो ह्यभ्यासादेव गच्छति ।
तथा युक्तेन मनसा प्राज्ञो गच्छति तां गतिम् ॥१८॥
18. yathāndhaḥ svagṛhe yukto hyabhyāsādeva gacchati ,
tathā yuktena manasā prājño gacchati tāṁ gatim.
18. yathā andhaḥ svagṛhe yuktaḥ hi abhyāsāt eva gacchati
tathā yuktena manasā prājñaḥ gacchati tām gatim
18. yathā andhaḥ svagṛhe yuktaḥ hi abhyāsāt eva gacchati
tathā prājñaḥ yuktena manasā tām gatim gacchati
18. Just as a blind person, familiar with their own home, moves about simply by habit, so too does a wise person attain that supreme state (mokṣa) with a concentrated mind.
मरणं जन्मनि प्रोक्तं जन्म वै मरणाश्रितम् ।
अविद्वान्मोक्षधर्मेषु बद्धो भ्रमति चक्रवत् ॥१९॥
19. maraṇaṁ janmani proktaṁ janma vai maraṇāśritam ,
avidvānmokṣadharmeṣu baddho bhramati cakravat.
19. maraṇam janmani proktam janma vai maraṇāśritam
avidvān mokṣadharmeṣu baddhaḥ bhramati cakravat
19. janmani maraṇam proktam vai janma maraṇāśritam
avidvān mokṣadharmeṣu baddhaḥ cakravat bhramati
19. Death is said to be inherent in birth, and birth itself is indeed dependent on death. An ignorant person, unaware of the natural laws (dharma) of liberation (mokṣa), remains bound and wanders about like a wheel (in the cycle of saṃsāra).
यथा मृणालोऽनुगतमाशु मुञ्चति कर्दमम् ।
तथात्मा पुरुषस्येह मनसा परिमुच्यते ।
मनः प्रणयतेऽऽत्मानं स एनमभियुञ्जति ॥२०॥
20. yathā mṛṇālo'nugatamāśu muñcati kardamam ,
tathātmā puruṣasyeha manasā parimucyate ,
manaḥ praṇayate''tmānaṁ sa enamabhiyuñjati.
20. yathā mṛṇālaḥ anugatam āśu muñcati
kardamam tathā ātmā puruṣasya
iha manasā parimucyate manaḥ
praṇayate ātmānam sa enam abhiyuñjati
20. yathā mṛṇālaḥ anugatam kardamam
āśu muñcati tathā iha puruṣasya ātmā
manasā parimucyate manaḥ ātmānam
praṇayate saḥ enam abhiyuñjati
20. Just as a lotus stalk quickly sheds the mud clinging to it, so too, in this world, a person's individual self (ātman) is freed by the mind. The mind directs the individual self (ātman), and it (the mind) controls it.
परार्थे वर्तमानस्तु स्वकार्यं योऽभिमन्यते ।
इन्द्रियार्थेषु सक्तः सन्स्वकार्यात्परिहीयते ॥२१॥
21. parārthe vartamānastu svakāryaṁ yo'bhimanyate ,
indriyārtheṣu saktaḥ sansvakāryātparihīyate.
21. parārthe vartamānaḥ tu svakāryam yaḥ abhimanyate
indriyārtheṣu saktaḥ san svakāryāt parihīyate
21. yaḥ tu parārthe vartamānaḥ svakāryam abhimanyate,
indriyārtheṣu saktaḥ san,
(saḥ) svakāryāt parihīyate
21. Indeed, one who, while engaged in the affairs of others, considers it his own personal task, and being attached to the objects of the senses, consequently deviates from his true intrinsic purpose (svakārya).
अधस्तिर्यग्गतिं चैव स्वर्गे चैव परां गतिम् ।
प्राप्नोति स्वकृतैरात्मा प्राज्ञस्येहेतरस्य च ॥२२॥
22. adhastiryaggatiṁ caiva svarge caiva parāṁ gatim ,
prāpnoti svakṛtairātmā prājñasyehetarasya ca.
22. adhas tiryak gatim ca eva svarge ca eva parām gatim
prāpnoti svakṛtaiḥ ātmā prājñasya iha itarasya ca
22. इह आत्मा स्वकृतैः अधस् तिर्यक् गतिम् च एव,
स्वर्गे परां गतिम् च एव प्राप्नोति; प्राज्ञस्य इतरस्य च
22. Here in this world, the self (ātman), through its own actions (karma), attains a downward or animal existence, and also the supreme state in heaven; this applies to both the wise and the ignorant.
मृन्मये भाजने पक्वे यथा वै न्यस्यते द्रवः ।
तथा शरीरं तपसा तप्तं विषयमश्नुते ॥२३॥
23. mṛnmaye bhājane pakve yathā vai nyasyate dravaḥ ,
tathā śarīraṁ tapasā taptaṁ viṣayamaśnute.
23. mṛnmaye bhājane pakve yathā vai nyasyate dravaḥ
tathā śarīram tapasā taptam viṣayam aśnute
23. yathā vai pakhve mṛnmaye bhājane dravaḥ nyasyate,
tathā tapasā taptam śarīram viṣayam aśnute
23. Just as liquid is indeed poured into a baked earthen vessel, so too the body, having been purified by ascetic practice (tapas), experiences the objects of the senses.
विषयानश्नुते यस्तु न स भोक्ष्यत्यसंशयम् ।
यस्तु भोगांस्त्यजेदात्मा स वै भोक्तुं व्यवस्यति ॥२४॥
24. viṣayānaśnute yastu na sa bhokṣyatyasaṁśayam ,
yastu bhogāṁstyajedātmā sa vai bhoktuṁ vyavasyati.
24. viṣayān aśnute yaḥ tu na saḥ bhokṣyati asaṃśayam
yaḥ tu bhogān tyajet ātmā saḥ vai bhoktum vyavasyati
24. yaḥ tu viṣayān aśnute,
saḥ asaṃśayam na bhokṣyati.
yaḥ tu ātmā bhogān tyajet,
saḥ vai bhoktum vyavasyati.
24. Indeed, one who merely experiences the objects of the senses will undoubtedly not truly enjoy them. But the self (ātman) that renounces sense pleasures (bhoga) certainly resolves to experience true enjoyment.
नीहारेण हि संवीतः शिश्नोदरपरायणः ।
जात्यन्ध इव पन्थानमावृतात्मा न बुध्यते ॥२५॥
25. nīhāreṇa hi saṁvītaḥ śiśnodaraparāyaṇaḥ ,
jātyandha iva panthānamāvṛtātmā na budhyate.
25. nīhāreṇa hi saṃvītaḥ śiśnodaraparāyaṇaḥ
jātyandhaḥ iva panthānam āvṛtātmā na budhyate
25. āvṛtātmā śiśnodaraparāyaṇaḥ jātyandhaḥ iva
nīhāreṇa hi saṃvītaḥ panthānam na budhyate
25. Indeed, one whose inner self (ātman) is veiled, being excessively devoted to sensual pleasures, does not perceive the path, just like a person born blind, enveloped by fog, fails to see the way.
वणिग्यथा समुद्राद्वै यथार्थं लभते धनम् ।
तथा मर्त्यार्णवे जन्तोः कर्मविज्ञानतो गतिः ॥२६॥
26. vaṇigyathā samudrādvai yathārthaṁ labhate dhanam ,
tathā martyārṇave jantoḥ karmavijñānato gatiḥ.
26. vaṇik yathā samudrāt vai yathārtham labhate dhanam
tathā martyārṇave jantoḥ karmavijñānataḥ gatiḥ
26. yathā vaṇik vai samudrāt yathārtham dhanam labhate
tathā martyārṇave jantoḥ karmavijñānataḥ gatiḥ
26. Just as a merchant indeed obtains wealth from the sea according to his efforts, so too, in the ocean of mortal existence, a being's course (gati) is determined by the understanding of their actions (karma).
अहोरात्रमये लोके जरारूपेण संचरन् ।
मृत्युर्ग्रसति भूतानि पवनं पन्नगो यथा ॥२७॥
27. ahorātramaye loke jarārūpeṇa saṁcaran ,
mṛtyurgrasati bhūtāni pavanaṁ pannago yathā.
27. ahorātramaye loke jarārūpeṇa saṃcaran mṛtyuḥ
grasati bhūtāni pavanam pannagaḥ yathā
27. ahorātramaye loke mṛtyuḥ jarārūpeṇa saṃcaran
bhūtāni grasati yathā pannagaḥ pavanam
27. In this world bound by day and night, Death, moving about in the form of old age, devours all beings, just as a serpent consumes the wind.
स्वयं कृतानि कर्माणि जातो जन्तुः प्रपद्यते ।
नाकृतं लभते कश्चित्किंचिदत्र प्रियाप्रियम् ॥२८॥
28. svayaṁ kṛtāni karmāṇi jāto jantuḥ prapadyate ,
nākṛtaṁ labhate kaścitkiṁcidatra priyāpriyam.
28. svayam kṛtāni karmāṇi jātaḥ jantuḥ prapadyate na
akṛtam labhate kaścit kiñcit atra priyāpriyam
28. jātaḥ jantuḥ svayam kṛtāni karmāṇi prapadyate
atra kaścit akṛtam kiñcit priyāpriyam na labhate
28. A living being, once born, experiences the results of actions (karma) performed by themselves. No one here obtains anything, whether pleasant or unpleasant, that has not been performed by them.
शयानं यान्तमासीनं प्रवृत्तं विषयेषु च ।
शुभाशुभानि कर्माणि प्रपद्यन्ते नरं सदा ॥२९॥
29. śayānaṁ yāntamāsīnaṁ pravṛttaṁ viṣayeṣu ca ,
śubhāśubhāni karmāṇi prapadyante naraṁ sadā.
29. śayānam yāntam āsīnam pravṛttam viṣayeṣu ca
śubhāśubhāni karmāṇi prapadyante naram sadā
29. śubhāśubhāni karmāṇi śayānam yāntam āsīnam
ca viṣayeṣu pravṛttam naram sadā prapadyante
29. Good and bad deeds (karma) always follow a person, whether they are sleeping, walking, sitting, or engrossed in worldly matters.
न ह्यन्यत्तीरमासाद्य पुनस्तर्तुं व्यवस्यति ।
दुर्लभो दृश्यते ह्यस्य विनिपातो महार्णवे ॥३०॥
30. na hyanyattīramāsādya punastartuṁ vyavasyati ,
durlabho dṛśyate hyasya vinipāto mahārṇave.
30. na hi anyat tīram āsādya punaḥ tartum vyavasyati
durlabhaḥ dṛśyate hi asya vinipātaḥ mahārṇave
30. hi anyat tīram āsādya punaḥ tartum na vyavasyati
hi asya mahārṇave vinipātaḥ durlabhaḥ dṛśyate
30. Indeed, having reached the other shore, one does not attempt to cross back again. Similarly, for such a person, a relapse (vinipāta) into the vast ocean (saṃsāra) is rarely observed.
यथा भारावसक्ता हि नौर्महाम्भसि तन्तुना ।
तथा मनोऽभियोगाद्वै शरीरं प्रतिकर्षति ॥३१॥
31. yathā bhārāvasaktā hi naurmahāmbhasi tantunā ,
tathā mano'bhiyogādvai śarīraṁ pratikarṣati.
31. yathā bhārāvasaktā hi nauḥ mahāmbhasi tantunā
tathā manaḥ abhiyogāt vai śarīram pratikarṣati
31. yathā hi bhārāvasaktā nauḥ mahāmbhasi tantunā [karṣyate]
tathā vai manaḥ abhiyogāt śarīram pratikarṣati
31. Just as, indeed, an overloaded boat is drawn along by a rope in the vast waters, so too, the mind, by its exertion, surely draws the body along.
यथा समुद्रमभितः संस्यूताः सरितोऽपराः ।
तथाद्या प्रकृतिर्योगादभिसंस्यूयते सदा ॥३२॥
32. yathā samudramabhitaḥ saṁsyūtāḥ sarito'parāḥ ,
tathādyā prakṛtiryogādabhisaṁsyūyate sadā.
32. yathā samudram abhitaḥ saṃsyūtāḥ saritaḥ aparāḥ
tathā ādyā prakṛtiḥ yogāt abhisaṃsyūyate sadā
32. yathā aparāḥ saritaḥ samudram abhitaḥ saṃsyūtāḥ
tathā ādyā prakṛtiḥ yogāt sadā abhisaṃsyūyate
32. Just as other rivers are completely united around the ocean, so too, the primal nature (prakṛti), by means of its inherent connection (yoga), is always thoroughly interwoven.
स्नेहपाशैर्बहुविधैरासक्तमनसो नराः ।
प्रकृतिस्था विषीदन्ति जले सैकतवेश्मवत् ॥३३॥
33. snehapāśairbahuvidhairāsaktamanaso narāḥ ,
prakṛtisthā viṣīdanti jale saikataveśmavat.
33. sneha-pāśaiḥ bahu-vidhaiḥ āsakta-manasaḥ narāḥ
prakṛti-sthā viṣīdanti jale saikata-veśma-vat
33. narāḥ bahu-vidhaiḥ sneha-pāśaiḥ āsakta-manasaḥ
prakṛti-sthāḥ jale saikata-veśma-vat viṣīdanti
33. People whose minds are attached by various bonds of affection, being situated in material nature (prakṛti), suffer just like a sandcastle in water.
शरीरगृहसंस्थस्य शौचतीर्थस्य देहिनः ।
बुद्धिमार्गप्रयातस्य सुखं त्विह परत्र च ॥३४॥
34. śarīragṛhasaṁsthasya śaucatīrthasya dehinaḥ ,
buddhimārgaprayātasya sukhaṁ tviha paratra ca.
34. śarīra-gṛha-saṃsthasya śauca-tīrthasya dehinaḥ
buddhi-mārga-prayātasya sukham tu iha para-tra ca
34. dehinaḥ śarīra-gṛha-saṃsthasya śauca-tīrthasya
buddhi-mārga-prayātasya tu iha ca para-tra sukham
34. Indeed, for the embodied being (dehin) who dwells in the body-house, who has the purity of a sacred bathing place, and who is advanced on the path of wisdom, there is happiness both here and in the afterlife.
विस्तराः क्लेशसंयुक्ताः संक्षेपास्तु सुखावहाः ।
परार्थं विस्तराः सर्वे त्यागमात्महितं विदुः ॥३५॥
35. vistarāḥ kleśasaṁyuktāḥ saṁkṣepāstu sukhāvahāḥ ,
parārthaṁ vistarāḥ sarve tyāgamātmahitaṁ viduḥ.
35. vistārāḥ kleśa-saṃyuktāḥ saṃkṣepāḥ tu sukha-āvahāḥ
para-artham vistārāḥ sarve tyāgam ātma-hitam viduḥ
35. vistārāḥ kleśa-saṃyuktāḥ tu saṃkṣepāḥ sukha-āvahāḥ
sarve vistārāḥ para-artham tyāgam ātma-hitam viduḥ
35. Elaborations are associated with troubles, but summaries bring happiness. All elaborations are for the sake of others; people understand renunciation (tyāga) to be for one's own benefit.
संकल्पजो मित्रवर्गो ज्ञातयः कारणात्मकाः ।
भार्या दासाश्च पुत्राश्च स्वमर्थमनुयुञ्जते ॥३६॥
36. saṁkalpajo mitravargo jñātayaḥ kāraṇātmakāḥ ,
bhāryā dāsāśca putrāśca svamarthamanuyuñjate.
36. saṃkalpa-jaḥ mitra-vargaḥ jñātayaḥ kāraṇa-ātmakāḥ
bhāryā dāsāḥ ca putrāḥ ca svam artham anuyuñjate
36. mitra-vargaḥ saṃkalpa-jaḥ jñātayaḥ kāraṇa-ātmakāḥ
bhāryā ca dāsāḥ ca putrāḥ svam artham anuyuñjate
36. The circle of friends arises from resolution; relatives are of a causal nature. Wives, servants, and sons all attend to their own interest.
न माता न पिता किंचित्कस्यचित्प्रतिपद्यते ।
दानपथ्योदनो जन्तुः स्वकर्मफलमश्नुते ॥३७॥
37. na mātā na pitā kiṁcitkasyacitpratipadyate ,
dānapathyodano jantuḥ svakarmaphalamaśnute.
37. na mātā na pitā kiñcit kasyacit pratipadyate
dānapathyo-danaḥ jantuḥ svakarmaphalam aśnute
37. mātā na pitā na kasyacit kiñcit pratipadyate
dānapathyo-danaḥ jantuḥ svakarmaphalam aśnute
37. Neither mother nor father can provide anything to anyone. A living being (jantuḥ) receives its share of charity, wholesome provisions, and food as a result of its own actions (karma).
माता पुत्रः पिता भ्राता भार्या मित्रजनस्तथा ।
अष्टापदपदस्थाने त्वक्षमुद्रेव न्यस्यते ॥३८॥
38. mātā putraḥ pitā bhrātā bhāryā mitrajanastathā ,
aṣṭāpadapadasthāne tvakṣamudreva nyasyate.
38. mātā putraḥ pitā bhrātā bhāryā mitra-janaḥ tathā
aṣṭāpada-pada-sthāne tu akṣa-mudrā iva nyasyate
38. mātā putraḥ pitā bhrātā bhāryā tathā mitra-janaḥ
aṣṭāpada-pada-sthāne tu akṣa-mudrā iva nyasyate
38. Mother, son, father, brother, wife, and friends are all positioned like dice (akṣamudrā) on a chessboard-like board (aṣṭāpada).
सर्वाणि कर्माणि पुरा कृतानि शुभाशुभान्यात्मनो यान्ति जन्तोः ।
उपस्थितं कर्मफलं विदित्वा बुद्धिं तथा चोदयतेऽन्तरात्मा ॥३९॥
39. sarvāṇi karmāṇi purā kṛtāni; śubhāśubhānyātmano yānti jantoḥ ,
upasthitaṁ karmaphalaṁ viditvā; buddhiṁ tathā codayate'ntarātmā.
39. sarvāṇi karmāṇi purā kṛtāni
śubha-aśubhāni ātmanaḥ yānti jantoḥ
upasthitam karma-phalam viditvā
buddhim tathā codayate antarātman
39. purā kṛtāni śubha-aśubhāni sarvāṇi karmāṇi jantoḥ ātmanaḥ yānti upasthitam karma-phalam viditvā,
antarātman tathā buddhim codayate
39. All actions (karma) performed previously, whether auspicious or inauspicious, pertain to the individual self (ātman) of a living being (jantuḥ). Upon realizing that the fruit of these actions (karma) is at hand, the inner self (antarātman) accordingly directs the intellect.
व्यवसायं समाश्रित्य सहायान्योऽधिगच्छति ।
न तस्य कश्चिदारम्भः कदाचिदवसीदति ॥४०॥
40. vyavasāyaṁ samāśritya sahāyānyo'dhigacchati ,
na tasya kaścidārambhaḥ kadācidavasīdati.
40. vyavasāyam samāśritya sahāyān yaḥ adhigacchati
na tasya kaścit ārambhaḥ kadācit avasīdati
40. yaḥ vyavasāyam samāśritya sahāyān adhigacchati,
tasya kaścit ārambhaḥ kadācit na avasīdati
40. Whoever undertakes a venture (vyavasāya) and obtains allies, no enterprise of theirs ever fails.
अद्वैधमनसं युक्तं शूरं धीरं विपश्चितम् ।
न श्रीः संत्यजते नित्यमादित्यमिव रश्मयः ॥४१॥
41. advaidhamanasaṁ yuktaṁ śūraṁ dhīraṁ vipaścitam ,
na śrīḥ saṁtyajate nityamādityamiva raśmayaḥ.
41. advaidhamanasam yuktam śūram dhīram vipaścitam
na śrīḥ saṃtyajate nityam ādityam iva raśmayaḥ
41. advaidhamanasam yuktam śūram dhīram vipaścitam
[tam] śrīḥ nityam na saṃtyajate raśmayaḥ ādityam iva
41. Prosperity (śrīḥ) never abandons a person who possesses an undivided mind, is focused, brave, resolute, and discerning, just as rays never abandon the sun.
आस्तिक्यव्यवसायाभ्यामुपायाद्विस्मयाद्धिया ।
यमारभत्यनिन्द्यात्मा न सोऽर्थः परिसीदति ॥४२॥
42. āstikyavyavasāyābhyāmupāyādvismayāddhiyā ,
yamārabhatyanindyātmā na so'rthaḥ parisīdati.
42. āstikyavyavasāyābhyām upāyāt vismayāt dhiyā yam
ārabhati anindyātmā na saḥ arthaḥ parīsidati
42. anindyātmā āstikyavyavasāyābhyām upāyāt vismayāt
dhiyā yam arthaḥ ārabhati saḥ na parīsidati
42. Any endeavor (artha) that a person of irreproachable nature undertakes with conviction (āstikya) and diligence, through proper means, with attentiveness, and by intellect, that endeavor never fails.
सर्वः स्वानि शुभाशुभानि नियतं कर्माणि जन्तुः स्वयं गर्भात्संप्रतिपद्यते तदुभयं यत्तेन पूर्वं कृतम् ।
मृत्युश्चापरिहारवान्समगतिः कालेन विच्छेदिता दारोश्चूर्णमिवाश्मसारविहितं कर्मान्तिकं प्रापयेत् ॥४३॥
43. sarvaḥ svāni śubhāśubhāni niyataṁ karmāṇi jantuḥ svayaṁ; garbhātsaṁpratipadyate tadubhayaṁ yattena pūrvaṁ kṛtam ,
mṛtyuścāparihāravānsamagatiḥ kālena viccheditā; dāroścūrṇamivāśmasāravihitaṁ karmāntikaṁ prāpayet.
43. sarvaḥ svāni śubhāśubhāni niyatam karmāṇi jantuḥ svayam
garbhāt saṃpratipadyate tat ubhayam yat tena pūrvam
kṛtam mṛtyuḥ ca aparihāravān samagatiḥ kālena viccheditā
dāroḥ ca cūrṇam iva aśmasāravihitam karmāntikam prāpayet
43. sarvaḥ jantuḥ svayam garbhāt svāni śubhāśubhāni karmāṇi niyatam saṃpratipadyate,
yat tat ubhayam tena pūrvam kṛtam.
mṛtyuḥ ca aparihāravān samagatiḥ [gatiḥ] kālena viccheditā [jantum] aśmasāravihitam dāroḥ cūrṇam iva karmāntikam prāpayet.
43. Every living being (jantu) invariably receives from birth the results of its own good and bad actions (karma), both that which was previously performed by it. And Death, which is unavoidable and impartial, when a being's life-span is severed by time, leads it to the final culmination of its actions (karmāntika), which is as unyielding as wood powder made hard like stone.
स्वरूपतामात्मकृतं च विस्तरं कुलान्वयं द्रव्यसमृद्धिसंचयम् ।
नरो हि सर्वो लभते यथाकृतं शुभाशुभेनात्मकृतेन कर्मणा ॥४४॥
44. svarūpatāmātmakṛtaṁ ca vistaraṁ; kulānvayaṁ dravyasamṛddhisaṁcayam ,
naro hi sarvo labhate yathākṛtaṁ; śubhāśubhenātmakṛtena karmaṇā.
44. svarūpatām ātmakṛtam ca vistaram
kulānvayam dravyasampṛddhisañcayam
naraḥ hi sarvaḥ labhate yathākṛtam
śubhāśubhena ātmakṛtena karmaṇā
44. hi sarvaḥ naraḥ ātmakṛtena śubhāśubhena karmaṇā yathākṛtam svarūpatām ātmakṛtam ca vistaram kulānvayam dravyasampṛddhisañcayam labhate.
44. Indeed, every person obtains their intrinsic nature (svarūpa), the extent of their self-made existence, their family lineage, and the accumulation of wealth and prosperity, all in accordance with the good and bad actions (karma) performed by themselves.
भीष्म उवाच ।
इत्युक्तो जनको राजन्यथातथ्यं मनीषिणा ।
श्रुत्वा धर्मविदां श्रेष्ठः परां मुदमवाप ह ॥४५॥
45. bhīṣma uvāca ,
ityukto janako rājanyathātathyaṁ manīṣiṇā ,
śrutvā dharmavidāṁ śreṣṭhaḥ parāṁ mudamavāpa ha.
45. bhīṣmaḥ uvāca iti uktaḥ janakaḥ rājan yathātathyam
manīṣiṇā śrutvā dharmavidām śreṣṭhaḥ parām mudam avāpa ha
45. rājan bhīṣmaḥ uvāca iti manīṣiṇā yathātathyam uktaḥ
dharmavidām śreṣṭhaḥ janakaḥ śrutvā parām mudam avāpa ha
45. Bhishma said: O King, Janaka, the foremost among those who understand natural law (dharma), having thus been truthfully instructed by the wise one, indeed attained supreme joy.