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युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
कथं नु मुक्तः पृथिवीं चरेदस्मद्विधो नृपः। नित्यं कैश्च गुणैर्युक्तः सङ्गपाशाद्विमुच्यते ॥१२-२७७-१॥
How should a liberated king like us conduct himself in the world? By being always endowed with what qualities is one freed from the bonds of attachment?
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
अत्र ते वर्तयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम्। अरिष्टनेमिना प्रोक्तं सगरायानुपृच्छते ॥१२-२७७-२॥
Here, I will tell you the ancient story that Ariṣṭanemi told to Sagara when he asked.
सगर उवाच॥
Sagara said.
किं श्रेयः परमं ब्रह्मन्कृत्वेह सुखमश्नुते। कथं न शोचेन्न क्षुभ्येदेतदिच्छामि वेदितुम् ॥१२-२७७-३॥
O Brāhmaṇa, what is the supreme good, by doing which one attains happiness here? How can one neither grieve nor be disturbed? I wish to know this.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
एवमुक्तस्तदा तार्क्ष्यः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः। विबुध्य सम्पदं चाग्र्यां सद्वाक्यमिदमब्रवीत् ॥१२-२७७-४॥
After these words were spoken, Tārkṣya, the expert in all śāstras, having realized the excellent prosperity and the good words, spoke as follows.
सुखं मोक्षसुखं लोके न च लोकोऽवगच्छति। प्रसक्तः पुत्रपशुषु धनधान्यसमाकुलः ॥१२-२७७-५॥
People in this world do not understand the happiness of liberation; being attached to sons, cattle, and overwhelmed by wealth and grain.
सक्तबुद्धिरशान्तात्मा न स शक्यश्चिकित्सितुम्। स्नेहपाशसितो मूढो न स मोक्षाय कल्पते ॥१२-२७७-६॥
A person whose intellect is attached and whose mind is restless cannot be cured; one who is bound by the ties of affection and is deluded is not fit for liberation.
स्नेहजानिह ते पाशान्वक्ष्यामि शृणु तान्मम। सकर्णकेन शिरसा शक्याश्छेत्तुं विजानता ॥१२-२७७-७॥
Listen as I explain to you the bonds born of affection; those of mine can be cut by the wise with a head adorned with ear-ornaments.
सम्भाव्य पुत्रान्कालेन यौवनस्थान्निवेश्य च। समर्थाञ्जीवने ज्ञात्वा मुक्तश्चर यथासुखम् ॥१२-२७७-८॥
After considering your sons, and in due time establishing those who are in their youth, and knowing them to be capable in their livelihood, you may live freely and comfortably.
भार्यां पुत्रवतीं वृद्धां लालितां पुत्रवत्सलाम्। ज्ञात्वा प्रजहि काले त्वं परार्थमनुदृश्य च ॥१२-२७७-९॥
Having recognized a wife who is aged, cherished, and affectionate towards her son, and who has a son, you should abandon her at the proper time, considering the interests of another.
सापत्यो निरपत्यो वा मुक्तश्चर यथासुखम्। इन्द्रियैरिन्द्रियार्थांस्त्वमनुभूय यथाविधि ॥१२-२७७-१०॥
Whether you have offspring, are without offspring, or are liberated, act as is comfortable. Experience the sense-objects with your senses according to the prescribed rule.
कृतकौतूहलस्तेषु मुक्तश्चर यथासुखम्। उपपत्त्योपलब्धेषु लाभेषु च समो भव ॥१२-२७७-११॥
Having satisfied your curiosity among them, move about freely as you please; by reasoning, be equanimous in what is attained and in gains.
एष तावत्समासेन तव सङ्कीर्तितो मया। मोक्षार्थो विस्तरेणापि भूयो वक्ष्यामि तच्छृणु ॥१२-२७७-१२॥
Thus far, I have described to you in summary. Now, I shall again explain in detail the purpose of liberation; listen to that.
मुक्ता वीतभया लोके चरन्ति सुखिनो नराः। सक्तभावा विनश्यन्ति नरास्तत्र न संशयः ॥१२-२७७-१३॥
Liberated and fearless men move happily in the world; men with attachment perish—there is no doubt about this.
आहारसञ्चयाश्चैव तथा कीटपिपीलिकाः। असक्ताः सुखिनो लोके सक्ताश्चैव विनाशिनः ॥१२-२७७-१४॥
Those who accumulate food, as well as insects and ants, those who are unattached are happy in the world, but those who are attached are indeed perishable.
स्वजने न च ते चिन्ता कर्तव्या मोक्षबुद्धिना। इमे मया विनाभूता भविष्यन्ति कथं त्विति ॥१२-२७७-१५॥
One intent on liberation should not worry about their own people. These people, without me, will manage; do not think, 'How will they be without you?'
स्वयमुत्पद्यते जन्तुः स्वयमेव विवर्धते। सुखदुःखे तथा मृत्युं स्वयमेवाधिगच्छति ॥१२-२७७-१६॥
A being is born by its own actions, grows by itself; likewise, it experiences happiness, sorrow, and ultimately attains death by itself.
भोजनाच्छादने चैव मात्रा पित्रा च सङ्ग्रहम्। स्वकृतेनाधिगच्छन्ति लोके नास्त्यकृतं पुरा ॥१२-२७७-१७॥
In this world, food, clothing, and support from mother and father are obtained only by one's own actions; nothing is ever gained without effort, even in the past.
धात्रा विहितभक्ष्याणि सर्वभूतानि मेदिनीम्। लोके विपरिधावन्ति रक्षितानि स्वकर्मभिः ॥१२-२७७-१८॥
All beings whose food is ordained by the Creator move about the earth in this world, protected by their own actions.
स्वयं मृत्पिण्डभूतस्य परतन्त्रस्य सर्वदा। को हेतुः स्वजनं पोष्टुं रक्षितुं वादृढात्मनः ॥१२-२७७-१९॥
For one who is always dependent, who himself has become like a lump of clay, what reason is there for a steadfast person to nourish or protect his own people?
स्वजनं हि यदा मृत्युर्हन्त्येव तव पश्यतः। कृतेऽपि यत्ने महति तत्र बोद्धव्यमात्मना ॥१२-२७७-२०॥
When death takes away your own people before your eyes, even after making great effort, one must understand this by oneself.
जीवन्तमपि चैवैनं भरणे रक्षणे तथा। असमाप्ते परित्यज्य पश्चादपि मरिष्यसि ॥१२-२७७-२१॥
If you abandon him while he is still alive, without completing his maintenance and protection, you will die afterwards as well.
यदा मृतश्च स्वजनं न ज्ञास्यसि कथञ्चन। सुखितं दुःखितं वापि ननु बोद्धव्यमात्मना ॥१२-२७७-२२॥
When you are dead and can no longer recognize your own people in any way, whether they are happy or unhappy, this is something you must truly understand for yourself.
मृते वा त्वयि जीवे वा यदि भोक्ष्यति वै जनः। स्वकृतं ननु बुद्ध्वैवं कर्तव्यं हितमात्मनः ॥१२-२७७-२३॥
Whether you are dead or alive, if a person indeed enjoys the results of their own actions, then, having understood this, one should do what is beneficial for oneself.
एवं विजानँल्लोकेऽस्मिन्कः कस्येत्यभिनिश्चितः। मोक्षे निवेशय मनो भूयश्चाप्युपधारय ॥१२-२७७-२४॥
Thus, having understood in this world who belongs to whom, and being firmly resolved, direct your mind towards liberation and again reflect upon this.
क्षुत्पिपासादयो भावा जिता यस्येह देहिनः। क्रोधो लोभस्तथा मोहः सत्त्ववान्मुक्त एव सः ॥१२-२७७-२५॥
He whose states such as hunger and thirst are conquered here, whose anger, greed, and delusion are also subdued—he, being steadfast, is indeed liberated.
द्यूते पाने तथा स्त्रीषु मृगयायां च यो नरः। न प्रमाद्यति संमोहात्सततं मुक्त एव सः ॥१२-२७७-२६॥
He who does not become careless out of delusion in gambling, drinking, with women, or hunting is always truly liberated.
दिवसे दिवसे नाम रात्रौ रात्रौ सदा सदा। भोक्तव्यमिति यः खिन्नो दोषबुद्धिः स उच्यते ॥१२-२७७-२७॥
He who is always anxious, thinking day after day, night after night, "It must be eaten," and is distressed with a fault-finding mind, is called one with a critical disposition.
आत्मभावं तथा स्त्रीषु मुक्तमेव पुनः पुनः। यः पश्यति सदा युक्तो यथावन्मुक्त एव सः ॥१२-२७७-२८॥
He who always sees the essence of self and liberation in women, again and again, and remains properly united, is indeed liberated.
सम्भवं च विनाशं च भूतानां चेष्टितं तथा। यस्तत्त्वतो विजानाति लोकेऽस्मिन्मुक्त एव सः ॥१२-२७७-२९॥
He who truly knows the origin, destruction, and activities of beings in this world is indeed liberated.
प्रस्थं वाहसहस्रेषु यात्रार्थं चैव कोटिषु। प्रासादे मञ्चकस्थानं यः पश्यति स मुच्यते ॥१२-२७७-३०॥
Whoever sees the place of the couch in the palace, even among thousands of vehicles and crores for the purpose of journey, is liberated.
मृत्युनाभ्याहतं लोकं व्याधिभिश्चोपपीडितम्। अवृत्तिकर्शितं चैव यः पश्यति स मुच्यते ॥१२-२७७-३१॥
He who perceives the world as struck by death, afflicted by diseases, and emaciated by lack of livelihood is liberated.
यः पश्यति सुखी तुष्टो नपश्यंश्च विहन्यते। यश्चाप्यल्पेन सन्तुष्टो लोकेऽस्मिन्मुक्त एव सः ॥१२-२७७-३२॥
He who, whether seeing or not seeing, remains happy and content and is not disturbed; and he who is content with even a little in this world, he indeed is truly liberated.
अग्नीषोमाविदं सर्वमिति यश्चानुपश्यति। न च संस्पृश्यते भावैरद्भुतैर्मुक्त एव सः ॥१२-२७७-३३॥
Whoever sees all this as Agni and Soma, is untouched by wondrous conditions and is truly liberated.
पर्यङ्कशय्या भूमिश्च समाने यस्य देहिनः। शालयश्च कदन्नं च यस्य स्यान्मुक्त एव सः ॥१२-२७७-३४॥
He who regards couch, bed, and ground as equal, and to whom rice and bad food are the same, he indeed is liberated.
क्षौमं च कुशचीरं च कौशेयं वल्कलानि च। आविकं चर्म च समं यस्य स्यान्मुक्त एव सः ॥१२-२७७-३५॥
He who regards linen, kuśa grass garments, silk, bark garments, woolen, and leather as equal is truly liberated.
पञ्चभूतसमुद्भूतं लोकं यश्चानुपश्यति। तथा च वर्तते दृष्ट्वा लोकेऽस्मिन्मुक्त एव सः ॥१२-२७७-३६॥
He who perceives the world as arisen from the five elements and acts accordingly, having seen this in the world, is indeed liberated.
सुखदुःखे समे यस्य लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ। इच्छाद्वेषौ भयोद्वेगौ सर्वथा मुक्त एव सः ॥१२-२७७-३७॥
He who is equal in happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, victory and defeat, desire and aversion, fear and agitation, is indeed liberated in every way.
रक्तमूत्रपुरीषाणां दोषाणां सञ्चयं तथा। शरीरं दोषबहुलं दृष्ट्वा चेदं विमुच्यते ॥१२-२७७-३८॥
When the accumulation of blood, urine, feces, and doṣas is seen, and the body is full of doṣas, then this is released (i.e., the body is let go or dies).
वलीपलितसंयोगं कार्श्यं वैवर्ण्यमेव च। कुब्जभावं च जरया यः पश्यति स मुच्यते ॥१२-२७७-३९॥
He who sees wrinkles, grey hair, emaciation, discoloration, and crookedness as effects of old age is liberated.
पुंस्त्वोपघातं कालेन दर्शनोपरमं तथा। बाधिर्यं प्राणमन्दत्वं यः पश्यति स मुच्यते ॥१२-२७७-४०॥
Who perceives the injury to manhood by time, the cessation of sight, deafness, and the slowness of vitality—he is liberated.
गतानृषींस्तथा देवानसुरांश्च तथा गतान्। लोकादस्मात्परं लोकं यः पश्यति स मुच्यते ॥१२-२७७-४१॥
He who perceives the departed sages, gods, asuras, and all those who have passed on, and who sees the world beyond this one, is liberated.
प्रभावैरन्वितास्तैस्तैः पार्थिवेन्द्राः सहस्रशः। ये गताः पृथिवीं त्यक्त्वा इति ज्ञात्वा विमुच्यते ॥१२-२७७-४२॥
Thousands of kings, endowed with various powers, who have departed after abandoning the earth, are liberated upon realizing this.
अर्थांश्च दुर्लभाँल्लोके क्लेशांश्च सुलभांस्तथा। दुःखं चैव कुटुम्बार्थे यः पश्यति स मुच्यते ॥१२-२७७-४३॥
He who perceives both the rare gains and the easily found troubles in the world, and endures pain for the sake of his family, is freed (liberated).
अपत्यानां च वैगुण्यं जनं विगुणमेव च। पश्यन्भूयिष्ठशो लोके को मोक्षं नाभिपूजयेत् ॥१२-२७७-४४॥
Seeing that most people and their offspring are defective in this world, who would not highly honor liberation?
शास्त्राल्लोकाच्च यो बुद्धः सर्वं पश्यति मानवः। असारमिव मानुष्यं सर्वथा मुक्त एव सः ॥१२-२७७-४५॥
He who, awakened by both scripture and worldly experience, perceives all of human existence as lacking true essence, is in every way already liberated.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा मम वचो भवांश्चरतु मुक्तवत्। गार्हस्थ्ये यदि ते मोक्षे कृता बुद्धिरविक्लवा ॥१२-२७७-४६॥
Having heard my words, act as one liberated. If your resolve for liberation is unwavering, then even in household life, you may proceed.
तत्तस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा सम्यक्स पृथिवीपतिः। मोक्षजैश्च गुणैर्युक्तः पालयामास च प्रजाः ॥१२-२७७-४७॥
Having properly heard his words, the king, endowed with qualities arising from liberation, protected and governed his subjects.
