12.183

Bhṛgu said.

Truth is Brahman, austerity is truth; truth creates all beings. By truth the world is upheld; by truth one attains heaven. (12-183-1)

Falsehood is the very form of darkness; by darkness, one is surely led downward. Those who are overcome by darkness do not perceive the light, as it is veiled by darkness.

They say, "Heaven is light; hell is indeed darkness." Both are attained by those who dwell in the world, according to truth and untruth.

There, however, such conduct in the world may be of both truth and falsehood, righteousness and unrighteousness, light and darkness, suffering and happiness alike.

There, whatever is truth is dharma; whatever is dharma is light; whatever is light is happiness. There, whatever is falsehood is adharma; whatever is adharma is darkness; whatever is darkness is suffering. (12-183-5)

Here it is said: The wise, perceiving the creation of the world through bodily and mental sufferings, pleasures, and the arising of non-pleasures, are not deluded.

Therefore, the wise should strive for liberation from suffering. For happiness is fleeting for all beings, both in this world and the next.

Just as the moonlight of the moon eclipsed by Rāhu does not shine, so too, the happiness of beings overwhelmed by darkness is lost.

Happiness is indeed said to be of two kinds: bodily and mental. In this world and the next, all human activities are undertaken for the sake of happiness. There is nothing more distinguished than the fruit of the three aims of life (dharma, artha, kāma). The pursuit of dharma and artha, motivated by this special quality of desirability, has happiness as its purpose and origin. Thus spoke Bharadvāja.

We do not accept that women are the supreme among pleasures, as you have said.

Indeed, among these sages established in greatness, this special quality is neither attained nor desired. It is heard that the Lord, the creator of the three worlds, Brahmā, remains alone, celibate, not indulging himself in pleasures of desire. Likewise, Lord Viśveśvara, Umāpati, subdued desire by becoming bodiless. Therefore, we say that this is not accepted by the great souls, nor is this quality particularly special. Thus, I do not accept this as belonging to the Lord. But it is said by the Lord: 'Of pleasures, women are the highest.' This is also a popular saying. There is a twofold result: happiness is obtained from good deeds, and sorrow from bad deeds. Let this be stated here. Bhrigu said.

Indeed, from untruth arises darkness; those enveloped in darkness follow only unrighteousness, not righteousness. Shrouded by anger, greed, delusion, pride, untruth, and similar faults, they find no happiness in this world or the next. They are afflicted by various diseases and torments, suffering from violence, bondage, illness, and distress, as well as from hunger, thirst, and exhaustion. They are further tormented by bodily pains from violent winds, extreme heat and cold, and dangers, and are overwhelmed by mental grief from the loss and separation of loved ones and wealth, and by the effects of old age and death. Thus.

He who is not affected by these bodily and mental sufferings knows true happiness. These faults do not arise in heaven; indeed, it is so there.

In heaven, the wind is very pleasant and the fragrance is sweet; there is no hunger, thirst, or fatigue, nor is there old age or any evil.

It is said that there is always happiness in heaven, both happiness and suffering here on earth, and only suffering in hell; but the supreme state is equal to all.

The earth is the mother of all beings, and women are of that nature. The man there is Prajāpati; semen is understood to be of the nature of brilliance.

Thus, this creation of the world was formerly ordained by Brahmā. Creatures revolve, each enveloped by their own actions.