03.184

Markaṇḍeya said.

Here, O conqueror of enemy cities, hear the song sung by Sarasvatī, as recounted by the intelligent Tārkṣya, after being asked by the sage, O hero. (03-184-1)

Tārkṣya said.

O auspicious one, what truly is the highest good for a person here? How does one act so as not to deviate from his own duty? Please tell me everything, O beautiful-limbed one; being instructed by you, may I not swerve from my own duty. (03-184-2)

How should I offer oblations to the fire, or worship it; at what time, by what means, so that righteousness does not perish? O fortunate one, please tell me all this, so that I may attain the pure worlds. (03-184-3)

Mārkaṇḍeya said.

Thus, when questioned with affection by him and observing Tārkṣya, the sage of excellent intellect, eager to listen, righteous and well-intentioned, Sarasvatī spoke these words. (03-184-4)

Sarasvatī said.

He who knows Brahman according to the proper method, is always devoted to study, pure and vigilant; that person indeed will be the forerunner to the city of the gods, and together with the immortals may attain the state of joy. (03-184-5)

There indeed were beautiful, spacious, and sorrowless lakes, abundantly blossomed and highly auspicious. Free from mud, teeming with fish, having excellent fords, and covered with golden lotuses. (03-184-6)

On their banks sits a meritorious man, greatly honored by many apsarases, who are adorned with auspicious fragrances and golden hues, feeling very delighted. (03-184-7)

Those who give cows truly reach the highest worlds; by giving a draught animal, they go to the world of the Sun; by donating clothing, they gain the world of the Moon; and by giving gold, one attains immortality. (03-184-8)

One who gives a cow of good vows, that gives proper milk, has an auspicious calf, and does not run away, attains the heavenly world for as many years as there are hairs on her body. (03-184-9)

Whoever gives a young, powerful bullock of good vows—one that draws the plough and has infinite strength and bears the yoke—attains the ten worlds attained by a giver of cows. (03-184-10)

O Tārkṣya, one who, having good vows and a virtuous nature, offers oblations into the fire for seven years, purifies with his own actions his seven paternal ancestors and seven previous ancestors—his grandfathers. (03-184-11)

Tārkṣya said.

What is the ancient vow of Agnihotra? O beautiful one, tell me who am asking. Here today, instructed by you, I wish to know what is the ancient vow of Agnihotra. (03-184-12)

Sarasvatī said.

Neither an impure person, nor one whose hands are unwashed, nor a person ignorant of the sacred formula, nor one unlearned in ritual should offer oblations. The gods, who desire food and purity, indeed do not accept oblations from one who lacks faith. (03-184-13)

One should not appoint a non-śrotriya (unversed in Veda) to the offering for the gods; such a person pours the offering away in vain. Tārkṣya says that a non-śrotriya is incomplete; one should indeed not let such a person perform Agnihotra. (03-184-14)

Those who offer oblations to the fire with faith, who are truthful in their vows and eat the remnants of sacrifices, after reaching the sinless, fragrant realm of the cows, see the Supreme God and also the Truth. (03-184-15)

Tārkṣya said.

O beautiful one with charming form, who are you, who have become the knower of the field at the time of death, entered into intelligence at the rise of action, and are called wisdom, the goddess? O fortunate one, considering thus, I ask you—who indeed are you? (03-184-16)

Sarasvatī said.

I have come here from the agnihotra for resolving the doubts of the foremost brāhmaṇas. Because I am united with you, I have spoken this, remaining in the true state, the true meaning as it is. (03-184-17)

Tārkṣya said;

Indeed, there is no one like you; you shine exceedingly like Splendor herself. Your form is divinely and supremely beautiful; and, O fortunate one, you possess the wisdom of a goddess. (03-184-18)

Sarasvatī spoke.

O eminent one among bipeds, O learned brahmin, whatever the best offerings in sacrifices are made, it is by those alone that I become well grown, nourished, and beautiful. (03-184-19)

O wise one, know that whichever substance is utilized—be it vegetable, metallic, or earthly—or through divine form and wisdom; by that alone is achievement. (03-184-20)

Tārkṣya said;

The sages, regarding this as the highest and supreme good, strive for it with confidence. Tell me of that supreme, sorrowless liberation, the supreme state which the steadfast enter. (03-184-21)

Sarasvati said.

Indeed, the knowers of the Veda who have taken refuge in that supreme (being), that being renowned as the greatest among all, the ancient one distinct from others, by the virtues of self-study, charity, vows, and meritorious practices, those whose riches are austerity, who are free from sorrow, become liberated. (03-184-22)

Then, in its midst, the fragrant thousand-branched pure bamboo shines. From its root, beautiful streams with honey-water outflows emerge. (03-184-23)

In every branch, great rivers resembling sand converge; rice-cakes, meats, and vegetables are always a mass of milk-rice mud. (03-184-24)

O sage, that supreme state, in which the gods, with Agni at the forefront, Indra, and the companies of Maruts, worshipped by excellent sacrifices.