12.011
Arjuna said:
O best of the Bharatas, right here they recount this ancient story: the conversation between Śakra and the ascetics.
Some young twice-born, dull and born in good families, abandoned their homes and went to the forest for renunciation, even though their beards and moustaches had not yet grown.
Thinking "this is righteousness," they remained steadfast in celibacy, having left their homes and ancestors; Indra felt compassion for them.
The Lord, taking the form of a golden bird, addressed them: "What is accomplished by those who subsist on remnants is extremely difficult even for men."
Indeed, the actions of these are meritorious and praiseworthy, and their lives are certainly noble; being perfected, those devoted to dharma have attained the highest state.
The sages said:
Ah, indeed, this bird praises those who eat remnants. Surely, he rebukes us, and we are the ones who eat remnants.
Shakuni said:
I do not praise you who are smeared with mud and dust, who eat leftovers, who are dull, and others who indeed eat scraps.
The sages said:
We consider this as the highest good and approach it with devotion. O bird, tell us what is truly best; we have great faith in you.
Shakuni said:
If you do not doubt me and discern the self by the self, then I will tell you what is truly beneficial.
The sages said:
O father, please listen to our words; you know the paths. In your command, O righteous one, we wish to abide; please instruct us.
Shakuni said:
Among quadrupeds, the cow is supreme; among metals, gold is the best; among all sounds, the mantra is the highest; among bipeds, the brāhmaṇa is the best.
This mantra is prescribed for a Brāhmaṇa for rites such as the birth ceremony; it applies to one who, while alive, at the proper time, until death at the cremation ground—thus.
The Vedic actions are, for him, the unsurpassed path to heaven. Now, all actions accomplished by mantras are declared as such. "12-11-13".
Here, attainment is sought through tradition and firm assertions. Months, half-months, seasons, the sun, the moon, and the stars are considered.
All beings strive for that truth, for those attached to action. This hermitage is truly a great and meritorious field of accomplishment.
Now, those men who criticize action and have gone on the wrong path—among the deluded and those devoid of meaning—for them, indeed, sin exists.
Having abandoned the divine, ancestral, and eternal lineages of Brahma, the deluded conduct themselves otherwise; as a result, they go to a path that is unheard of.
"Let this be your austerity, joined with resolve, as I give it, prompted by the sage. Therefore, that which the ascetic resolves is called austerity."
It is said that dividing the eternal lineages of the gods, ancestors, and Brahma, and performing the teacher's conduct, is indeed a difficult task.
The gods, by performing difficult deeds, attained the highest powers. Therefore, I declare to you that undertaking household life is difficult.
Austerity is certainly the supreme root of all beings; there is no doubt about this. By this rule of family, everything is established.
The wise, who have transcended dualities and are free from envy, know this as austerity; therefore, in the worlds, both the forest and the middle path are called austerity.
Those who eat only the remnants, after properly dividing food among their family in the evening and morning according to rule, attain a state that is difficult to assail.
Those who, after giving to guests, gods, ancestors, and their own people, eat the leftovers, are called 'eaters of remnants.'
Therefore, adhering to their own duty, being virtuous and truthful, they become teachers of the world and remain unadorned.
Those who perform difficult deeds dwell for eternal years, free from envy, in the world of Śakra, having attained the highest heaven.
Then, having heard his words imbued with dharma and artha, they abandoned the path of disbelief and embraced the dharma of household life.
Therefore, O best of men, you too, O unconquerable one, take up eternal fortitude and rule the whole earth, now that your enemies are slain.
