12.172
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
[युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhiṣṭhira; (proper noun, name of a person); उवाच (uvāca) - said; (from the root 'vac', to speak);]
(Yudhiṣṭhira said;)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
केन वृत्तेन वृत्तज्ञ वीतशोकश्चरेन्महीम्। किं च कुर्वन्नरो लोके प्राप्नोति परमां गतिम् ॥१२-१७२-१॥
kena vṛttena vṛttajña vītaśokaś caren mahīm। kiṃ ca kurvan naro loke prāpnoti paramāṃ gatim ॥12-172-1॥
[केन (kena) - by which; वृत्तेन (vṛttena) - conduct; वृत्तज्ञ (vṛttajña) - knower of conduct; वीतशोकः (vītaśokaḥ) - free from sorrow; चरेत् (caren) - should move; महीम् (mahīm) - on the earth; किं (kiṃ) - what; च (ca) - and; कुर्वन् (kurvan) - doing; नरः (naraḥ) - man; लोके (loke) - in the world; प्राप्नोति (prāpnoti) - attains; परमां (paramām) - supreme; गतिम् (gatim) - state;]
(By which conduct should a knower of conduct, free from sorrow, move on the earth? And, doing what does a man in the world attain the supreme state?)
By what conduct should a wise and sorrowless person live in the world? And by doing what does a man attain the highest goal?
भीष्म उवाच॥
bhīṣma uvāca॥
[भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhīṣma; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Bhīṣma said;)
Bhīṣma said.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। प्रह्रादस्य च संवादं मुनेराजगरस्य च ॥१२-१७२-२॥
atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam। prahrādasya ca saṃvādaṃ muner ājagarasya ca ॥12-172-2॥
[अत्र (atra) - here; अपि (api) - also; उदाहरन्ति (udāharanti) - they cite; इमम् (imam) - this; इतिहासम् (itihāsam) - historical account; पुरातनम् (purātanam) - ancient; प्रह्रादस्य (prahrādasya) - of Prahlāda; च (ca) - and; संवादम् (saṃvādam) - dialogue; मुनेः (muneḥ) - of the sage; आजगरस्य (ājagarasya) - of the python; च (ca) - and;]
(Here also they cite this ancient historical account, and the dialogue of Prahlāda and of the sage and of the python.)
Here too, they recount this ancient story, the dialogue between Prahlāda, the sage, and the python.
चरन्तं ब्राह्मणं कञ्चित्कल्यचित्तमनामयम्। पप्रच्छ राजन्प्रह्रादो बुद्धिमान्प्राज्ञसंमतः ॥१२-१७२-३॥
carantaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ kañcit kalyacittam anāmayam। papraccha rājan prahrādo buddhimān prājñasaṃmataḥ ॥12-172-3॥
[चरन्तम् (carantam) - wandering; ब्राह्मणम् (brāhmaṇam) - brāhmaṇa; कञ्चित् (kañcit) - some; कल्यचित्तम् (kalyacittam) - of auspicious mind; अनामयम् (anāmayam) - free from illness; पप्रच्छ (papraccha) - asked; राजन् (rājan) - O king; प्रह्रादः (prahrādaḥ) - Prahlāda; बुद्धिमान् (buddhimān) - wise; प्राज्ञसंमतः (prājñasaṃmataḥ) - approved by the wise;]
(Wandering brāhmaṇa some of auspicious mind free from illness, asked O king Prahlāda wise approved by the wise.)
O king, Prahlāda, wise and esteemed by the learned, asked a certain brāhmaṇa who was wandering, of auspicious mind and free from illness.
स्वस्थः शक्तो मृदुर्दान्तो निर्विवित्सोऽनसूयकः। सुवाग्बहुमतो लोके प्राज्ञश्चरसि बालवत् ॥१२-१७२-४॥
svasthaḥ śakto mṛdurdānto nirvivitso'nasūyakaḥ। suvāgbahumato loke prājñaścarasi bālavat ॥12-172-4॥
[स्वस्थः (svasthaḥ) - self-possessed; शक्तः (śaktaḥ) - capable; मृदुः (mṛduḥ) - gentle; दान्तः (dāntaḥ) - self-restrained; निर्विवित्सः (nirvivitsaḥ) - free from desire to harm; अनसूयकः (anasūyakaḥ) - free from envy; सुवाक् (suvāk) - well-spoken; बहुमतः (bahumataḥ) - highly esteemed; लोके (loke) - in the world; प्राज्ञः (prājñaḥ) - wise; चरसि (carasi) - you conduct yourself; बालवत् (bālavāt) - like a child;]
(Self-possessed, capable, gentle, self-restrained, free from desire to harm, free from envy, well-spoken, highly esteemed in the world, wise, you conduct yourself like a child.)
You are self-possessed, capable, gentle, self-restrained, free from desire to harm or envy, well-spoken, highly esteemed in the world, and wise, yet you conduct yourself with the innocence of a child.
नैव प्रार्थयसे लाभं नालाभेष्वनुशोचसि। नित्यतृप्त इव ब्रह्मन्न किञ्चिदवमन्यसे ॥१२-१७२-५॥
naiva prārthayase lābhaṃ nālābheṣvanuśocasi। nityatṛpta iva brahmann kiñcidavamanya se ॥12-172-5॥
[न (na) - not; एव (eva) - indeed; प्रार्थयसे (prārthayase) - you request; लाभं (lābhaṃ) - gain; न (na) - not; अलाभेषु (alābheṣu) - in losses; अनुशोचसि (anuśocasi) - you grieve; नित्यतृप्तः (nityatṛptaḥ) - always content; इव (iva) - as if; ब्रह्मन् (brahman) - O Brāhmaṇa; किञ्चित् (kiñcit) - anything; अवमन्यसे (avamanyase) - you despise;]
(You indeed do not request gain, nor do you grieve in losses. Always content as if, O Brāhmaṇa, you do not despise anything.)
O Brāhmaṇa, you neither seek gain nor grieve over loss; always content, you seem not to despise anything.
स्रोतसा ह्रियमाणासु प्रजास्वविमना इव। धर्मकामार्थकार्येषु कूटस्थ इव लक्ष्यसे ॥१२-१७२-६॥
srotasā hriyamāṇāsu prajāsu avimanā iva। dharmakāmārthakāryeṣu kūṭastha iva lakṣyase ॥12-172-6॥
[स्रोतसा (srotasā) - by the current; ह्रियमाणासु (hriyamāṇāsu) - being carried away; प्रजासु (prajāsu) - among the people; अविमनाः (avimanāḥ) - not dispirited; इव (iva) - as if; धर्म (dharma) - righteousness; काम (kāma) - desire; अर्थ (artha) - wealth; कार्येषु (kāryeṣu) - in actions; कूटस्थः (kūṭasthaḥ) - unchanging; इव (iva) - as if; लक्ष्यसे (lakṣyase) - you are seen;]
(By the current being carried away among the people, not dispirited as if; in righteousness, desire, wealth, and actions, unchanging as if you are seen.)
Though people are being swept away by the current, you appear as if undisturbed; in matters of righteousness, desire, wealth, and action, you seem steadfast and unshaken.
नानुतिष्ठसि धर्मार्थौ न कामे चापि वर्तसे। इन्द्रियार्थाननादृत्य मुक्तश्चरसि साक्षिवत् ॥१२-१७२-७॥
nānutiṣṭhasi dharmārthau na kāme cāpi vartase। indriyārthānanādṛtya muktaścarasi sākṣivat ॥12-172-7॥
[न (na) - not; अनुतिष्ठसि (anutiṣṭhasi) - you follow; धर्मार्थौ (dharmārthau) - dharma and artha; न (na) - not; कामे (kāme) - in desires; च (ca) - and; अपि (api) - even; वर्तसे (vartase) - you abide; इन्द्रियार्थान् (indriyārthān) - sense-objects; अनादृत्य (anādṛtya) - without regarding; मुक्तः (muktaḥ) - liberated; चरसि (carasi) - you move; साक्षिवत् (sākṣivat) - like a witness;]
(You do not follow dharma and artha, nor do you abide in desires; without regarding sense-objects, liberated, you move like a witness.)
You neither follow dharma and artha nor pursue desires; disregarding sense-objects, you move about liberated, like a witness.
का नु प्रज्ञा श्रुतं वा किं वृत्तिर्वा का नु ते मुने। क्षिप्रमाचक्ष्व मे ब्रह्मञ्श्रेयो यदिह मन्यसे ॥१२-१७२-८॥
kā nu prajñā śrutaṃ vā kiṃ vṛttirvā kā nu te mune। kṣipramācakṣva me brahmañśreyo yadiha manyase ॥12-172-8॥
[का (kā) - what (feminine); नु (nu) - indeed; प्रज्ञा (prajñā) - wisdom; श्रुतं (śrutam) - learning; वा (vā) - or; किं (kiṃ) - what; वृत्तिः (vṛttiḥ) - conduct; वा (vā) - or; का (kā) - what (feminine); नु (nu) - indeed; ते (te) - your; मुने (mune) - O sage; क्षिप्रम् (kṣipram) - quickly; आचक्ष्व (ācakṣva) - tell; मे (me) - to me; ब्रह्मन् (brahman) - O Brāhmaṇa; श्रेयः (śreyaḥ) - the highest good; यत् (yat) - which; इह (iha) - here; मन्यसे (manyase) - you consider;]
(What indeed is wisdom, or what is learning, or what is conduct, what indeed is yours, O sage? Quickly tell me, O Brāhmaṇa, the highest good which here you consider.)
O sage, what truly is wisdom, what is learning, or what is conduct, and what do you consider to be yours? O Brāhmaṇa, quickly tell me what you consider here to be the highest good.
अनुयुक्तः स मेधावी लोकधर्मविधानवित्। उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा प्रह्रादमनपार्थया ॥१२-१७२-९॥
anuyuktaḥ sa medhāvī lokadharmavidhānavit। uvāca ślakṣṇayā vācā prahrādam anapārthayā ॥12-172-9॥
[अनुयुक्तः (anuyuktaḥ) - addressed; सः (saḥ) - he; मेधावी (medhāvī) - wise; लोकधर्मविधानवित् (lokadharmavidhānavit) - knower of the ordinances of worldly conduct; उवाच (uvāca) - said; श्लक्ष्णया (ślakṣṇayā) - with gentle; वाचा (vācā) - speech; प्रह्रादम् (prahrādam) - to Prahlāda; अनपार्थया (anapārthayā) - without harshness;]
(Addressed, he, wise, knower of the ordinances of worldly conduct, said, with gentle, speech, to Prahlāda, without harshness.)
Thus addressed, the wise one, knower of the ordinances of worldly conduct, spoke to Prahlāda with gentle and unharsh words.
पश्यन्प्रह्राद भूतानामुत्पत्तिमनिमित्ततः। ह्रासं वृद्धिं विनाशं च न प्रहृष्ये न च व्यथे ॥१२-१७२-१०॥
paśyan prahrāda bhūtānām utpattim animittataḥ। hrāsaṃ vṛddhiṃ vināśaṃ ca na prahṛṣye na ca vyathe ॥12-172-10॥
[पश्यन् (paśyan) - seeing; प्रह्राद (prahrāda) - O Prahrada; भूतानाम् (bhūtānām) - of beings; उत्पत्तिम् (utpattim) - origin; अनिमित्ततः (animittataḥ) - without cause; ह्रासम् (hrāsam) - decline; वृद्धिम् (vṛddhim) - growth; विनाशम् (vināśam) - destruction; च (ca) - and; न (na) - not; प्रहृष्ये (prahṛṣye) - I rejoice; न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; व्यथे (vyathe) - I am disturbed;]
(Seeing, O Prahrada, the origin of beings without cause, decline, growth, and destruction, I do not rejoice nor am I disturbed.)
O Prahrada, seeing the origin, decline, growth, and destruction of beings as causeless, I neither rejoice nor am I disturbed.
स्वभावादेव संदृश्य वर्तमानाः प्रवृत्तयः। स्वभावनिरताः सर्वाः परितप्ये न केनचित् ॥१२-१७२-११॥
svabhāvādeva sandṛśya vartamānāḥ pravṛttayaḥ। svabhāvaniratāḥ sarvāḥ paritapye na kenacit ॥12-172-11॥
[स्वभावात् (svabhāvāt) - from nature; एव (eva) - indeed; संदृश्य (sandṛśya) - having observed; वर्तमानाः (vartamānāḥ) - existing; प्रवृत्तयः (pravṛttayaḥ) - activities; स्वभावनिरताः (svabhāvaniratāḥ) - engaged in their own nature; सर्वाः (sarvāḥ) - all; परितप्ये (paritapye) - I do not grieve; न (na) - not; केनचित् (kenacit) - by anyone;]
(Indeed, having observed that activities existing are from nature, all being engaged in their own nature, I do not grieve by anyone.)
Indeed, seeing that all activities arise from inherent nature and everyone acts according to their own nature, I am not troubled by anyone.
पश्यन्प्रह्राद संयोगान्विप्रयोगपरायणान्। सञ्चयांश्च विनाशान्तान्न क्वचिद्विदधे मनः ॥१२-१७२-१२॥
paśyan prahrāda saṃyogān viprayoga-parāyaṇān। sañcayāṃś ca vināśāntān na kvacid vidadhe manaḥ ॥12-172-12॥
[पश्यन् (paśyan) - seeing; प्रह्राद (prahrāda) - O Prahlada; संयोगान् (saṃyogān) - unions; विप्रयोगपरायणान् (viprayoga-parāyaṇān) - those whose end is separation; सञ्चयान् (sañcayān) - accumulations; च (ca) - and; विनाशान्तान् (vināśāntān) - ending in destruction; न (na) - not; क्वचित् (kvacit) - anywhere; विदधे (vidadhe) - did apply; मनः (manaḥ) - mind;]
(Seeing, O Prahlada, unions whose end is separation, and accumulations ending in destruction, nowhere did (I) apply (my) mind.)
O Prahlada, seeing that all unions end in separation and all accumulations end in destruction, I never set my mind on any of them.
अन्तवन्ति च भूतानि गुणयुक्तानि पश्यतः। उत्पत्तिनिधनज्ञस्य किं कार्यमवशिष्यते ॥१२-१७२-१३॥
antavanti ca bhūtāni guṇayuktāni paśyataḥ। utpattinidhanajñasya kiṃ kāryam avaśiṣyate ॥12-172-13॥
[अन्तवन्ति (antavanti) - having an end; perishable; च (ca) - and; भूतानि (bhūtāni) - beings; गुणयुक्तानि (guṇayuktāni) - endowed with qualities; पश्यतः (paśyataḥ) - for one who sees; उत्पत्ति (utpatti) - origin; निधन (nidhana) - destruction; ज्ञस्य (jñasya) - of the knower; किं (kiṃ) - what; कार्यं (kāryam) - action; duty; अवशिष्यते (avaśiṣyate) - remains; is left;]
(Having an end and beings endowed with qualities for one who sees; of the knower of origin and destruction, what action remains?)
All beings that are seen to be endowed with qualities are perishable; for one who knows the origin and destruction, what duty remains to be done?
जलजानामपि ह्यन्तं पर्यायेणोपलक्षये। महतामपि कायानां सूक्ष्माणां च महोदधौ ॥१२-१७२-१४॥
jalajānām api hy antaṃ paryāyeṇopalakṣaye। mahatām api kāyānāṃ sūkṣmāṇāṃ ca mahodadhau ॥12-172-14॥
[जलजानाम् (jalajānām) - of water-born beings; अपि (api) - even; हि (hi) - indeed; अन्तम् (antam) - end; पर्यायेण (paryāyeṇa) - in turn; उपलक्षये (upalakṣaye) - I observe; महताम् (mahatām) - of great (ones); अपि (api) - even; कायानाम् (kāyānām) - of bodies; सूक्ष्माणाम् (sūkṣmāṇām) - of subtle (ones); च (ca) - and; महोदधौ (mahodadhau) - in the great ocean;]
(Of water-born beings even indeed the end in turn I observe. Of great ones even of bodies of subtle ones and in the great ocean.)
I observe, in turn, the end of even the water-born beings. In the great ocean, I see the end of even the bodies of the great and the subtle ones.
जङ्गमस्थावराणां च भूतानामसुराधिप। पार्थिवानामपि व्यक्तं मृत्युं पश्यामि सर्वशः ॥१२-१७२-१५॥
jaṅgamasthāvarāṇāṃ ca bhūtānāmasurādhipa। pārthivānāmapi vyaktaṃ mṛtyuṃ paśyāmi sarvaśaḥ ॥12-172-15॥
[जङ्गमस्थावराणां (jaṅgamasthāvarāṇām) - of moving and unmoving (beings); च (ca) - and; भूतानाम् (bhūtānām) - of beings; असुराधिप (asurādhipa) - O lord of the Asuras; पार्थिवानाम् (pārthivānām) - of kings; अपि (api) - also; व्यक्तम् (vyaktam) - manifest; मृत्युम् (mṛtyum) - death; पश्यामि (paśyāmi) - I see; सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ) - everywhere;]
(Of moving and unmoving (beings) and of beings, O lord of the Asuras, of kings also, manifest death I see everywhere.)
O lord of the Asuras, I see manifest death everywhere among moving and unmoving beings, and also among kings.
अन्तरिक्षचराणां च दानवोत्तम पक्षिणाम्। उत्तिष्ठति यथाकालं मृत्युर्बलवतामपि ॥१२-१७२-१६॥
antarikṣacaraṇāṃ ca dānavottama pakṣiṇām। uttiṣṭhati yathākālaṃ mṛtyur balavatām api ॥12-172-16॥
[अन्तरिक्षचराणां (antarikṣacaraṇām) - of those who move in the sky; च (ca) - and; दानवोत्तम (dānavottama) - O best of Dānavas; पक्षिणाम् (pakṣiṇām) - of birds; उत्तिष्ठति (uttiṣṭhati) - arises; यथाकालं (yathākālaṃ) - at the proper time; मृत्युः (mṛtyuḥ) - death; बलवताम् (balavatām) - of the strong; अपि (api) - even;]
(Of those who move in the sky and O best of Dānavas, of birds, death arises at the proper time even for the strong.)
O best of Dānavas, even among birds and those who move in the sky, death arises for the strong at the proper time.
दिवि सञ्चरमाणानि ह्रस्वानि च महान्ति च। ज्योतींषि च यथाकालं पतमानानि लक्षये ॥१२-१७२-१७॥
divi sañcaramāṇāni hrasvāni ca mahānti ca। jyotīṃṣi ca yathākālaṃ patamānāni lakṣaye ॥12-172-17॥
[दिवि (divi) - in the sky; सञ्चरमाणानि (sañcaramāṇāni) - moving about; ह्रस्वानि (hrasvāni) - small; च (ca) - and; महान्ति (mahānti) - great; च (ca) - and; ज्योतींषि (jyotīṃṣi) - lights; च (ca) - and; यथाकालं (yathākālaṃ) - according to time; पतमानानि (patamānāni) - falling; लक्षये (lakṣaye) - I observe;]
(In the sky, moving about, small and great, and lights, and according to time, falling, I observe.)
I observe in the sky both small and great lights moving about, and also lights falling according to time.
इति भूतानि सम्पश्यन्ननुषक्तानि मृत्युना। सर्वसामान्यतो विद्वान्कृतकृत्यः सुखं स्वपे ॥१२-१७२-१८॥
iti bhūtāni sampaśyann anuṣaktāni mṛtyunā। sarvasāmānyato vidvān kṛtakṛtyaḥ sukhaṃ svape ॥12-172-18॥
[इति (iti) - thus; भूतानि (bhūtāni) - beings; सम्पश्यन् (sampaśyan) - seeing; अनुषक्तानि (anuṣaktāni) - attached; मृत्युना (mṛtyunā) - by death; सर्वसामान्यतः (sarvasāmānyataḥ) - in a general way; विद्वान् (vidvān) - the wise one; कृतकृत्यः (kṛtakṛtyaḥ) - one who has accomplished his duty; सुखम् (sukham) - happily; स्वपे (svape) - sleeps;]
(Thus, seeing beings attached by death, the wise one, having accomplished his duty, sleeps happily in a general way.)
Thus, seeing all beings bound by death, the wise person who has fulfilled his duties sleeps happily.
सुमहान्तमपि ग्रासं ग्रसे लब्धं यदृच्छया। शये पुनरभुञ्जानो दिवसानि बहून्यपि ॥१२-१७२-१९॥
sumahāntam api grāsaṃ grase labdhaṃ yadṛcchayā। śaye punar abhuñjāno divasāni bahūny api ॥12-172-19॥
[सुमहान्तम् (sumahāntam) - very great; अपि (api) - even; ग्रासम् (grāsam) - morsel; ग्रसे (grase) - you swallow; लब्धम् (labdham) - obtained; यदृच्छया (yadṛcchayā) - by chance; शये (śaye) - I lie down; पुनः (punaḥ) - again; अभुञ्जानः (abhuñjānaḥ) - not eating; दिवसानि (divasāni) - days; बहूनि (bahūni) - many; अपि (api) - even;]
(Even a very great morsel, if obtained by chance, you swallow. I lie down again, not eating, for many days even.)
Even if I obtain a very large morsel by chance and swallow it, I may lie down again for many days without eating.
आस्रवत्यपि मामन्नं पुनर्बहुगुणं बहु। पुनरल्पगुणं स्तोकं पुनर्नैवोपपद्यते ॥१२-१७२-२०॥
āsravatya'pi mām annaṃ punar bahuguṇaṃ bahu। punar alpaguṇaṃ stokaṃ punar naiva upapadyate ॥12-172-20॥
[आस्रवति (āsravati) - flows; अपि (api) - even; माम् (mām) - my; अन्नं (annaṃ) - food; पुनः (punar) - again; बहुगुणं (bahuguṇaṃ) - of many qualities; बहु (bahu) - much; पुनः (punar) - again; अल्पगुणं (alpaguṇaṃ) - of few qualities; स्तोकं (stokaṃ) - little; पुनः (punar) - again; नैव (naiva) - not at all; उपपद्यते (upapadyate) - is suitable;]
(Even if my food flows (is abundant), again, much with many qualities; again, little with few qualities; again, not at all is suitable.)
Even if my food is abundant and of many qualities, or little and of few qualities, again, none of these are suitable for me.
कणान्कदाचित्खादामि पिण्याकमपि च ग्रसे। भक्षये शालिमांसानि भक्षांश्चोच्चावचान्पुनः ॥१२-१७२-२१॥
kaṇān kadācit khādāmi piṇyākam api ca grase | bhakṣaye śāli-māṃsāni bhakṣāṃś ca uccāvacān punaḥ ॥12-172-21॥
[कणान् (kaṇān) - grains; कदाचित् (kadācit) - sometimes; खादामि (khādāmi) - I eat; पिण्याकम् (piṇyākam) - oil-cake; अपि (api) - also; च (ca) - and; ग्रसे (grase) - I swallow; भक्षये (bhakṣaye) - I consume; शालिमांसानि (śāli-māṃsāni) - rice and meat; भक्षान् (bhakṣān) - foods; च (ca) - and; उच्चावचान् (uccāvacān) - of various kinds; पुनः (punaḥ) - again;]
(Grains sometimes I eat, oil-cake also and I swallow; I consume rice and meat, and foods of various kinds again.)
Sometimes I eat grains, and I also swallow oil-cake; I consume rice, meat, and various other foods again.
शये कदाचित्पर्यङ्के भूमावपि पुनः शये। प्रासादेऽपि च मे शय्या कदाचिदुपपद्यते ॥१२-१७२-२२॥
śaye kadācit paryaṅke bhūmāv api punaḥ śaye। prāsāde'pi ca me śayyā kadācid upapadyate ॥12-172-22॥
[शये (śaye) - I lie down; कदाचित् (kadācit) - sometimes; पर्यङ्के (paryaṅke) - on a couch; भूमौ (bhūmau) - on the ground; अपि (api) - also; पुनः (punaḥ) - again; शये (śaye) - I lie down; प्रासादे (prāsāde) - in a palace; अपि (api) - also; च (ca) - and; मे (me) - my; शय्या (śayyā) - bed; कदाचित् (kadācit) - sometimes; उपपद्यते (upapadyate) - is obtained;]
(I lie down sometimes on a couch, also on the ground again I lie down. In a palace also, my bed is sometimes obtained.)
Sometimes I sleep on a couch, sometimes again on the ground. Occasionally, my bed is found even in a palace.
धारयामि च चीराणि शाणीं क्षौमाजिनानि च। महार्हाणि च वासांसि धारयाम्यहमेकदा ॥१२-१७२-२३॥
dhārayāmi ca cīrāṇi śāṇīṃ kṣaumājināni ca। mahārhāṇi ca vāsāṃsi dhārayāmy aham ekadā ॥12-172-23॥
[धारयामि (dhārayāmi) - I wear; च (ca) - and; चीराणि (cīrāṇi) - bark garments; शाणीं (śāṇīm) - hemp cloth; क्षौमाजिनानि (kṣaumājināni) - linen and deer skins; च (ca) - and; महार्हाणि (mahārhāṇi) - very costly; च (ca) - and; वासांसि (vāsāṃsi) - garments; धारयामि (dhārayāmi) - I wear; अहम् (aham) - I; एकदा (ekadā) - at one time;]
(I wear and bark garments, hemp cloth, linen and deer skins and very costly garments; I wear I at one time.)
At one time, I wear bark garments, hemp cloth, linen and deer skins, and also very costly garments.
न संनिपतितं धर्म्यमुपभोगं यदृच्छया। प्रत्याचक्षे न चाप्येनमनुरुध्ये सुदुर्लभम् ॥१२-१७२-२४॥
na saṃnipatitaṃ dharmyamuapabhogaṃ yadṛcchayā। pratyācakṣe na cāpyenamanurudhye sudurlabham ॥12-172-24॥
[न (na) - not; संनिपतितं (saṃnipatitam) - accumulated; (gathered together;) धर्म्यम् (dharmyam) - righteous; (in accordance with dharma;) उपभोगं (upabhogam) - enjoyment; (use;) यदृच्छया (yadṛcchayā) - by chance; (accidentally;) प्रत्याचक्षे (pratyācakṣe) - I refuse; (I decline;) न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; अपि (api) - also; एनम् (enam) - this; (him;) अनुरुध्ये (anurudhye) - I desire; (I long for;) सुदुर्लभम् (sudurlabham) - very difficult to obtain; (rare;]
(Not accumulated righteous enjoyment by chance I refuse, nor also do I desire this very difficult to obtain.)
I do not refuse righteous enjoyment that has not been accumulated by chance, nor do I desire this, which is very difficult to obtain.
अचलमनिधनं शिवं विशोकं; शुचिमतुलं विदुषां मते निविष्टम्। अनभिमतमसेवितं च मूढै; र्व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥१२-१७२-२५॥
acalamanidhanaṃ śivaṃ viśokaṃ; śucimatulaṃ viduṣāṃ mate niviṣṭam। anabhimatamasevitaṃ ca mūḍhai; vratamidamājagaraṃ śuciścarāmi ॥12-172-25॥
[अचलम् (acalam) - immovable; अनिधनम् (anidhanam) - imperishable; शिवम् (śivam) - auspicious; विशोकम् (viśokam) - free from sorrow; शुचि (śuci) - pure; मतुलम् (matulam) - incomparable; विदुषाम् (viduṣām) - of the wise; मते (mate) - in the opinion; निविष्टम् (niviṣṭam) - established; अनभिमतम् (anabhimatam) - not desired; असेवितम् (asevitam) - not practiced; च (ca) - and; मूढैः (mūḍhaiḥ) - by the deluded; व्रतम् (vratam) - vow; इदम् (idam) - this; आजगरम् (ājagaram) - python-like; शुचिः (śuciḥ) - pure; चरामि (carāmi) - I practice;]
(Immovable, imperishable, auspicious, free from sorrow; pure, incomparable, established in the opinion of the wise. Not desired, not practiced by the deluded; this python-like vow, pure, I practice.)
I practice this pure, python-like vow, which is immovable, imperishable, auspicious, and free from sorrow; it is pure, incomparable, and established in the opinion of the wise. It is not desired or practiced by the deluded.
अचलितमतिरच्युतः स्वधर्मा; त्परिमितसंसरणः परावरज्ञः। विगतभयकषायलोभमोहो; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥१२-१७२-२६॥
acalitamatiḥ acyutaḥ svadharmāt parimita-saṃsaraṇaḥ parāvara-jñaḥ vigata-bhaya-kaṣāya-lobha-mohaḥ vratam idam ājagaraṃ śuciḥ carāmi ॥12-172-26॥
[अचलितमतिः (acalitamatiḥ) - with unwavering mind; अच्युतः (acyutaḥ) - firm; not fallen; स्वधर्मात् (svadharmāt) - from own duty; परिमितसंसरणः (parimita-saṃsaraṇaḥ) - with limited wandering; परावरज्ञः (parāvara-jñaḥ) - knower of the higher and lower; विगतभयकषायलोभमोहो (vigata-bhaya-kaṣāya-lobha-mohaḥ) - free from fear, impurity, greed, and delusion; व्रतम् (vratam) - vow; इदम् (idam) - this; आजगरम् (ājagaraṃ) - of the python; शुचिः (śuciḥ) - pure; चरामि (carāmi) - I practice;]
(With unwavering mind, firm, from own duty, with limited wandering, knower of the higher and lower, free from fear, impurity, greed, and delusion, this vow of the python, pure, I practice.)
With a steady mind, unwavering and firm in my own duty, moving little, knowing the higher and lower, free from fear, impurity, greed, and delusion, I practice this pure vow of the python.
अनियतफलभक्ष्यभोज्यपेयं; विधिपरिणामविभक्तदेशकालम्। हृदयसुखमसेवितं कदर्यै; र्व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥१२-१७२-२७॥
aniyata-phala-bhakṣya-bhojya-peyaṃ; vidhi-pariṇāma-vibhakta-deśa-kālam। hṛdaya-sukham-asevitaṃ kadaryair; vratam-idam-ājagaraṃ śuciḥ carāmi ॥12-172-27॥
[अनियत (aniyata) - not fixed; फल (phala) - fruit; भक्ष्य (bhakṣya) - to be eaten; भोज्य (bhojya) - to be enjoyed (as food); पेयं (peyaṃ) - to be drunk; विधि (vidhi) - rule; परिणाम (pariṇāma) - result; विभक्त (vibhakta) - divided; देश (deśa) - place; कालम् (kālam) - time; हृदय (hṛdaya) - heart; सुखम् (sukham) - happiness; असेवितं (asevitaṃ) - not enjoyed; कदर्यैः (kadaryaiḥ) - by the miserly; व्रतम् (vratam) - vow; इदम् (idam) - this; आजगरम् (ājagaraṃ) - python-like; शुचिः (śuciḥ) - pure; चरामि (carāmi) - I practice;]
(Not fixed fruit, to be eaten, to be enjoyed (as food), to be drunk; rule, result, divided, place, time. Heart happiness not enjoyed by the miserly; this python-like vow, pure, I practice.)
I practice this pure python-like vow, in which the food and drink are not fixed, divided by rule, result, place, and time, and happiness of heart is not enjoyed by the miserly.
इदमिदमिति तृष्णयाभिभूतं; जनमनवाप्तधनं विषीदमानम्। निपुणमनुनिशाम्य तत्त्वबुद्ध्या; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥१२-१७२-२८॥
idam idam iti tṛṣṇayā abhibhūtam; janam anavāpta-dhanam viṣīdamānam। nipuṇam anuniśāmya tattva-buddhyā; vratam idam ājagaraṃ śuciḥ carāmi॥12-172-28॥
[इदम् (idam) - this; इदम् (idam) - this; इति (iti) - thus; तृष्णया (tṛṣṇayā) - by thirst; अभिभूतं (abhibhūtam) - overpowered; जनम् (janam) - person; अनवाप्तधनम् (anavāpta-dhanam) - not-obtained-wealth; विषीदमानम् (viṣīdamānam) - despairing; निपुणम् (nipuṇam) - clever; अनुनिशाम्य (anuniśāmya) - having observed; तत्त्वबुद्ध्या (tattva-buddhyā) - with true understanding; व्रतम् (vratam) - vow; इदम् (idam) - this; आजगरम् (ājagaram) - python-like; शुचिः (śuciḥ) - pure; चरामि (carāmi) - I practice;]
(This, this, thus, by thirst overpowered; person not-obtained-wealth despairing. Clever having observed with true understanding; vow this python-like pure I practice.)
Seeing people overpowered by thirst, despairing for wealth they have not obtained, I, having observed this with true understanding, purely practice this python-like vow.
बहुविधमनुदृश्य चार्थहेतोः; कृपणमिहार्यमनार्यमाश्रयन्तम्। उपशमरुचिरात्मवान्प्रशान्तो; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥१२-१७२-२९॥
bahuvidham-anudṛśya cārthahetoḥ; kṛpaṇam-iha āryam-anāryam-āśrayantam. upaśama-rucir-ātmavān-praśāntaḥ; vratam-idam-ājagaraṃ śuciś-carāmi ॥12-172-29॥
[बहुविधम् (bahuvidham) - of many kinds; अनुदृश्य (anudṛśya) - having observed; च (ca) - and; अर्थहेतोः (arthahetoḥ) - for the sake of gain; कृपणम् (kṛpaṇam) - miserable; इह (iha) - here; आर्यम् (āryam) - noble; अनार्यम् (anāryam) - ignoble; आश्रयन्तम् (āśrayantam) - resorting to; उपशमरुचि (upaśamaruci) - having inclination for tranquility; आत्मवान् (ātmavān) - self-possessed; प्रशान्तः (praśāntaḥ) - calm; व्रतम् (vratam) - vow; इदम् (idam) - this; आजगरम् (ājagaram) - of the python; शुचिः (śuciḥ) - pure; चरामि (carāmi) - I practice;]
(Having observed the many kinds (of conduct) here, both noble and ignoble, resorting to them for the sake of gain, (seeing them as) miserable, being self-possessed, calm, and having an inclination for tranquility, I, pure, practice this vow of the python.)
Having seen the many kinds of conduct here, both noble and ignoble, resorted to for the sake of gain and found to be miserable, I, being self-controlled, calm, and inclined to tranquility, purely practice this vow of the python.
सुखमसुखमनर्थमर्थलाभं; रतिमरतिं मरणं च जीवितं च। विधिनियतमवेक्ष्य तत्त्वतोऽहं; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥१२-१७२-३०॥
sukhamasukham-anartham-arthalābhaṃ; ratim-aratiṃ maraṇaṃ ca jīvitaṃ ca. vidhiniyatam-avekṣya tattvato'ham; vratam-idam-ājagaraṃ śuciś-carāmi ॥12-172-30॥
[सुखम् (sukham) - happiness; असुखम् (asukham) - unhappiness; अनर्थम् (anartham) - misfortune; अर्थलाभम् (arthalābham) - gain of wealth; रतिम् (ratim) - pleasure; अरतिम् (aratim) - displeasure; मरणम् (maraṇam) - death; च (ca) - and; जीवितम् (jīvitam) - life; च (ca) - and; विधिनियतम् (vidhiniyatam) - ordained by fate; अवेक्ष्य (avekṣya) - having considered; तत्त्वतः (tattvataḥ) - in reality; अहम् (aham) - I; व्रतम् (vratam) - vow; इदम् (idam) - this; आजगरम् (ājagaram) - of the python; शुचिः (śuciḥ) - pure; चरामि (carāmi) - I practice;]
(Happiness, unhappiness, misfortune, gain of wealth; pleasure, displeasure, death and life—having considered all as ordained by fate in reality, I, pure, practice this vow of the python.)
Recognizing happiness and unhappiness, misfortune and gain, pleasure and displeasure, death and life as truly ordained by fate, I, remaining pure, observe this python vow.
अपगतभयरागमोहदर्पो; धृतिमतिबुद्धिसमन्वितः प्रशान्तः। उपगतफलभोगिनो निशाम्य; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥१२-१७२-३१॥
apagata-bhaya-rāga-moha-darpo; dhṛti-mati-buddhi-samanvitaḥ praśāntaḥ। upagata-phala-bhogino niśāmya; vratam idam ājagaraṃ śuciś carāmi॥12-172-31॥
[अपगत (apagata) - gone away; भय (bhaya) - fear; राग (rāga) - attachment; मोह (moha) - delusion; दर्पो (darpaḥ) - pride; धृति (dhṛti) - steadfastness; मति (mati) - intellect; बुद्धि (buddhi) - wisdom; समन्वितः (samanvitaḥ) - endowed with; प्रशान्तः (praśāntaḥ) - calm; उपगत (upagata) - attained; फल (phala) - fruit; भोगिनो (bhoginaḥ) - enjoyers; निशाम्य (niśāmya) - having observed; व्रतम् (vratam) - vow; इदम् (idam) - this; आजगरम् (ājagaram) - of the python; शुचिः (śuciḥ) - pure; चरामि (carāmi) - I practice;]
(Having abandoned fear, attachment, delusion, and pride; endowed with steadfastness, intellect, and wisdom, calm; having observed those who enjoy the fruits that have come (to them); I, pure, practice this vow of the python.)
Having given up fear, attachment, delusion, and pride, and being endowed with steadfastness, intellect, and wisdom, calm, having observed those who enjoy whatever comes to them, I, pure, practice this vow of the python.
अनियतशयनासनः प्रकृत्या; दमनियमव्रतसत्यशौचयुक्तः। अपगतफलसञ्चयः प्रहृष्टो; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥१२-१७२-३२॥
aniyataśayanāsanaḥ prakṛtyā; damaniyamavratasatyashaucayuktaḥ। apagata-phalasañcayaḥ prahṛṣṭaḥ; vratam idam ājagaraṃ śuciś ca rāmi ॥12-172-32॥
[अनियत (aniyata) - not-fixed; शयनासनः (śayanāsanaḥ) - sleeping and sitting; प्रकृत्या (prakṛtyā) - by nature; दमनियमव्रतसत्यशौचयुक्तः (dama-niyama-vrata-satya-śauca-yuktaḥ) - endowed with restraint, discipline, vow, truth, purity; अपगत (apagata) - gone away; फलसञ्चयः (phala-sañcayaḥ) - accumulation of fruits; प्रहृष्टः (prahṛṣṭaḥ) - delighted; व्रतम् (vratam) - vow; इदम् (idam) - this; आजगरम् (ājagaram) - python-like; शुचिः (śuciḥ) - pure; च (ca) - and; रामि (rāmi) - I practice;]
(Not-fixed in sleeping and sitting by nature; endowed with restraint, discipline, vow, truth, purity. Gone away is the accumulation of fruits, delighted; this python-like vow, pure, and I practice.)
By nature, I do not have fixed places for sleeping or sitting; I am endowed with restraint, discipline, vows, truthfulness, and purity. I have abandoned the accumulation of fruits, and am delighted; I practice this pure, python-like vow.
अभिगतमसुखार्थमीहनार्थै; रुपगतबुद्धिरवेक्ष्य चात्मसंस्थः। तृषितमनियतं मनो नियन्तुं; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥१२-१७२-३३॥
abhigatamasukhārthamīhanārthai; rupagatabuddhiravekṣya cātmasaṃsthaḥ. tṛṣitamaniyataṃ mano niyantuṃ; vratamidamājagaraṃ śuciścarāmi ॥12-172-33॥
[अभिगत (abhigata) - approached; असुखार्थम् (asukhārtham) - for the purpose of non-pleasure; ईह (īha) - effort; नार्थैः (nārthaiḥ) - not for objects; रुपगतबुद्धिः (rupagatabuddhiḥ) - one whose intellect is fixed in form; अवेक्ष्य (avekṣya) - having observed; च (ca) - and; आत्मसंस्थः (ātmasaṃsthaḥ) - established in the self; तृषितम् (tṛṣitam) - thirsty; अनियतं (aniyataṃ) - uncontrolled; मनः (manaḥ) - mind; नियन्तुं (niyantuṃ) - to restrain; व्रतम् (vratam) - vow; इदम् (idam) - this; आजगरम् (ājagaram) - of a python; शुचिः (śuciḥ) - pure; च (ca) - and; चरामि (carāmi) - I practice;]
(Having approached for the purpose of non-pleasure, not for objects, with intellect fixed in form, having observed and established in the self, to restrain the thirsty, uncontrolled mind, I practice this pure vow of the python.)
Having come here not for pleasure or objects, with my mind fixed and established in the self, having observed, I undertake this pure vow of the python to restrain my thirsty and uncontrolled mind.
न हृदयमनुरुध्यते मनो वा; प्रियसुखदुर्लभतामनित्यतां च। तदुभयमुपलक्षयन्निवाहं; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥१२-१७२-३४॥
na hṛdayam anurudhyate mano vā; priya-sukha-durlabhatām anityatāṃ ca। tad-ubhayam upalakṣayan nivāhaṃ; vratam idam ājagaraṃ śuciś carāmi ॥12-172-34॥
[न (na) - not; हृदयम् (hṛdayam) - heart; अनुरुध्यते (anurudhyate) - is followed; मनो (mano) - mind; वा (vā) - or; प्रिय (priya) - dear; सुख (sukha) - happiness; दुर्लभता (durlabhatā) - difficulty of obtaining; अनित्यताम् (anityatām) - impermanence; च (ca) - and; तत् (tat) - that; उभयम् (ubhayam) - both; उपलक्षयन् (upalakṣayan) - perceiving; निवाहम् (nivāham) - residence; व्रतम् (vratam) - vow; इदम् (idam) - this; आजगरम् (ājagaram) - of the python; शुचिः (śuciḥ) - pure; चरामि (carāmi) - I practice;]
(Neither the heart nor the mind follows (desires); the difficulty of obtaining dear happiness and impermanence also. Perceiving both that, I, pure, practice this vow of the python-like (life of inactivity) as residence.)
Neither my heart nor my mind is attached; recognizing both the difficulty of attaining dear happiness and its impermanence, I, remaining pure, practice this vow of the python (i.e., a life of inactivity) as my way of life.
बहु कथितमिदं हि बुद्धिमद्भिः; कविभिरभिप्रथयद्भिरात्मकीर्तिम्। इदमिदमिति तत्र तत्र तत्त; त्स्वपरमतैर्गहनं प्रतर्कयद्भिः ॥१२-१७२-३५॥
bahu kathitam idaṃ hi buddhimatbhiḥ; kavibhir abhiprathayadbhiḥ ātmakīrtim. idam idam iti tatra tatra tat; tat svaparamatair gahanaṃ pratarkayadbhiḥ ॥12-172-35॥
[बहु (bahu) - much; कथितम् (kathitam) - spoken; इदं (idaṃ) - this; हि (hi) - indeed; बुद्धिमद्भिः (buddhimadbhiḥ) - by the intelligent; कविभिः (kavibhiḥ) - by poets; अभिप्रथयद्भिः (abhiprathayadbhiḥ) - proclaiming; आत्मकीर्तिम् (ātmakīrtim) - self-praise; इदम् (idam) - this; इदम् (idam) - this; इति (iti) - thus; तत्र (tatra) - here; तत्र (tatra) - there; तत् (tat) - that; स्व (sva) - one's own; परमतैः (paramataiḥ) - by others' opinions; गहनम् (gahanam) - deep; प्रतर्कयद्भिः (pratarkayadbhiḥ) - discussing;]
(Much of this indeed has been spoken by the intelligent, by poets proclaiming self-praise. "This, this," thus here and there, that, by their own and others' opinions, the deep (subject) is discussed.)
Much of this has already been spoken by the wise, by poets proclaiming their own fame. "This, this," thus here and there, that, with their own and others' views, the profound subject is discussed.
तदहमनुनिशाम्य विप्रयातं; पृथगभिपन्नमिहाबुधैर्मनुष्यैः। अनवसितमनन्तदोषपारं; नृषु विहरामि विनीतरोषतृष्णः ॥१२-१७२-३६॥
tad aham anuniśāmya viprayātaṃ; pṛthag abhipannam ihābudhair manuṣyaiḥ। anavasitam anantadoṣapāraṃ; nṛṣu viharāmi vinītarōṣatṛṣṇaḥ ॥12-172-36॥
[तत् (tad) - that; अहम् (aham) - I; अनुनिशाम्य (anuniśāmya) - having carefully observed; विप्रयातम् (viprayātam) - departed; पृथक् (pṛthak) - separately; अभिपन्नम् (abhipannam) - attained; इह (iha) - here; अबुधैः (abudhaiḥ) - by the ignorant; मनुष्यैः (manuṣyaiḥ) - by men; अनवसितम् (anavasitam) - not ascertained; अनन्तदोषपारम् (anantadoṣapāram) - having endless faults as its limit; नृषु (nṛṣu) - among men; विहरामि (viharāmi) - I dwell; विनीत (vinīta) - subdued; रोष (roṣa) - anger; तृष्णः (tṛṣṇaḥ) - desire;]
(That I, having carefully observed the departed, separately attained here by the ignorant men, not ascertained, having endless faults as its limit, among men, I dwell, subdued in anger and desire.)
Therefore, having carefully observed those who have departed and the various ways attained here by ignorant men, seeing that the end is not ascertained and that the limit is endless faults, I dwell among men with anger and desire subdued.
भीष्म उवाच॥
bhīṣma uvāca॥
[भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhīṣma; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Bhīṣma said;)
Bhīṣma said.
अजगरचरितं व्रतं महात्मा; य इह नरोऽनुचरेद्विनीतरागः। अपगतभयमन्युलोभमोहः; स खलु सुखी विहरेदिमं विहारम् ॥१२-१७२-३७॥
ajagara-caritaṃ vrataṃ mahātmā; ya iha naro'nucared-vinīta-rāgaḥ। apagata-bhaya-manyu-lobha-mohaḥ; sa khalu sukhī vihared-imaṃ vihāram ॥12-172-37॥
[अजगरचरितं (ajagara-caritaṃ) - python-conduct; व्रतं (vrataṃ) - vow; महात्मा (mahātmā) - great-souled one; यः (yaḥ) - who; इह (iha) - here; नरः (naraḥ) - man; अनुचरेत् (anucaret) - should follow; विनीतरागः (vinīta-rāgaḥ) - with subdued passion; अपगत (apagata) - departed; भय (bhaya) - fear; मन्यु (manyu) - anger; लोभ (lobha) - greed; मोहः (mohaḥ) - delusion; सः (saḥ) - he; खलु (khalu) - indeed; सुखी (sukhī) - happy; विहरेत् (viharet) - should dwell; इमं (imaṃ) - this; विहारम् (vihāram) - abode;]
(The great-souled one who here, a man, should follow the vow of the python-conduct, with subdued passion, with fear, anger, greed, and delusion departed, he indeed should happily dwell in this abode.)
A great soul who, here, follows the vow of the python's conduct, with passions subdued and free from fear, anger, greed, and delusion, truly lives happily in this world.
