12.281
पराशर उवाच॥
parāśara uvāca॥
[पराशर (parāśara) - Parāśara; (name of a sage); उवाच (uvāca) - said; (he) spoke;]
(Parāśara said;)
Parāśara said.
कः कस्य चोपकुरुते कश्च कस्मै प्रयच्छति। प्राणी करोत्ययं कर्म सर्वमात्मार्थमात्मना ॥१२-२८१-१॥
kaḥ kasya copakurute kaśca kasmai prayacchati। prāṇī karotyayaṃ karma sarvam ātmārtham ātmanā ॥12-281-1॥
[कः (kaḥ) - who; कस्य (kasya) - for whom; च (ca) - and; उपकुरुते (upakurute) - serves; कः (kaḥ) - who; च (ca) - and; कस्मै (kasmai) - to whom; प्रयच्छति (prayacchati) - gives; प्राणी (prāṇī) - living being; करोति (karoti) - does; अयम् (ayam) - this; कर्म (karma) - action; सर्वम् (sarvam) - all; आत्मार्थम् (ātmārtham) - for one's own sake; आत्मना (ātmanā) - by oneself;]
(Who serves whom and who gives to whom? The living being does all this action, all for one's own sake, by oneself.)
Who serves whom, and who gives to whom? Every living being performs all actions solely for their own sake, by themselves.
गौरवेण परित्यक्तं निःस्नेहं परिवर्जयेत्। सोदर्यं भ्रातरमपि किमुतान्यं पृथग्जनम् ॥१२-२८१-२॥
gauraveṇa parityaktaṃ niḥsnehaṃ parivarjayet। sodaryaṃ bhrātaramapi kimutānyaṃ pṛthagjanam ॥12-281-2॥
[गौरवेण (gauraveṇa) - by respect; by honor; परित्यक्तं (parityaktaṃ) - abandoned; forsaken; निःस्नेहं (niḥsnehaṃ) - without affection; devoid of love; परिवर्जयेत् (parivarjayet) - should avoid; should shun; सोदर्यं (sodaryaṃ) - own brother; born of the same womb; भ्रातरम् (bhrātaram) - brother; अपि (api) - even; also; किमु (kimu) - how much more; what to say of; तान्यं (tānyaṃ) - other; another; पृथग्जनम् (pṛthagjanam) - stranger; different person;]
(One should avoid (a person) who, though a brother born of the same womb, has been abandoned out of respect and is without affection; how much more (should one avoid) a stranger.)
One should shun even a brother born of the same mother if he is abandoned out of respect and is devoid of affection; how much more, then, a stranger.
विशिष्टस्य विशिष्टाच्च तुल्यौ दानप्रतिग्रहौ। तयोः पुण्यतरं दानं तद्द्विजस्य प्रयच्छतः ॥१२-२८१-३॥
viśiṣṭasya viśiṣṭāc ca tulyau dānapratigrahau। tayoḥ puṇyataraṃ dānaṃ taddvijasya prayacchataḥ॥12-281-3॥
[विशिष्टस्य (viśiṣṭasya) - of the distinguished; विशिष्टात् (viśiṣṭāt) - than the distinguished; च (ca) - and; तुल्यौ (tulyau) - equal (dual); दानप्रतिग्रहौ (dānapratigrahau) - giving and receiving (dual); तयोः (tayoḥ) - of those two; पुण्यतरं (puṇyataraṃ) - more meritorious; दानं (dānaṃ) - the giving; तत् (tat) - that; द्विजस्य (dvijasya) - of the twice-born; प्रयच्छतः (prayacchataḥ) - of the one who gives;]
(Of the distinguished, and than the distinguished, giving and receiving are equal; of those two, the giving is more meritorious, that (is) of the twice-born who gives.)
Among distinguished persons, giving and receiving are considered equal, but of the two, giving is more meritorious, especially when performed by a twice-born person.
न्यायागतं धनं वर्णैर्न्यायेनैव विवर्धितम्। संरक्ष्यं यत्नमास्थाय धर्मार्थमिति निश्चयः ॥१२-२८१-४॥
nyāyāgataṃ dhanaṃ varṇairnyāyenaiva vivardhitam। saṃrakṣyaṃ yatnamāsthāya dharmārthamiti niścayaḥ ॥12-281-4॥
[न्यायागतं (nyāyāgatam) - obtained by justice; धनं (dhanam) - wealth; वर्णैः (varṇaiḥ) - by classes; न्यायेनैव (nyāyenaiva) - by justice indeed; विवर्धितम् (vivardhitam) - increased; संरक्ष्यं (saṃrakṣyam) - to be protected; यत्नमास्थाय (yatnam āsthāya) - having undertaken effort; धर्मार्थम् (dharmārtham) - for the sake of righteousness; इति (iti) - thus; निश्चयः (niścayaḥ) - decision;]
(Wealth obtained by justice, increased by the classes indeed by justice, should be protected, having undertaken effort, for the sake of righteousness—thus (is) the decision.)
It is decided that wealth acquired and increased justly by the classes must be protected with effort for the sake of righteousness.
न धर्मार्थी नृशंसेन कर्मणा धनमर्जयेत्। शक्तितः सर्वकार्याणि कुर्यान्नर्द्धिमनुस्मरेत् ॥१२-२८१-५॥
na dharmārthī nṛśaṃsena karmaṇā dhanamarjayet। śaktitaḥ sarvakāryāṇi kuryānnarddhimanusmaret ॥12-281-5॥
[न (na) - not; धर्मार्थी (dharmārthī) - one seeking dharma; one desirous of righteousness; नृशंसेन (nṛśaṃsena) - by cruel; by inhuman; कर्मणा (karmaṇā) - by action; by deed; धनम् (dhanam) - wealth; अर्जयेत् (arjayet) - should acquire; शक्तितः (śaktitaḥ) - according to ability; सर्वकार्याणि (sarvakāryāṇi) - all actions; all tasks; कुर्यात् (kuryāt) - should do; न (na) - not; ऋद्धिम् (ṛddhim) - prosperity; success; अनुस्मरेत् (anusmaret) - should remember;]
(One seeking dharma should not acquire wealth by cruel action. According to ability, one should perform all tasks and not forget prosperity.)
A seeker of righteousness should not gain wealth through cruel deeds. One should perform all duties according to one's capacity and always remember prosperity.
अपो हि प्रयतः शीतास्तापिता ज्वलनेन वा। शक्तितोऽतिथये दत्त्वा क्षुधार्तायाश्नुते फलम् ॥१२-२८१-६॥
apo hi prayataḥ śītāstāpitā jvalanena vā। śaktito'tithaye dattvā kṣudhārtāyāśnute phalam ॥12-281-6॥
[अपः (apaḥ) - waters; हि (hi) - indeed; प्रयतः (prayataḥ) - purified; शीताः (śītāḥ) - cool; तापिताः (tāpitāḥ) - heated; ज्वलनेन (jvalanena) - by fire; वा (vā) - or; शक्तितः (śaktitaḥ) - according to ability; अतिथये (atithaye) - to a guest; दत्त्वा (dattvā) - having given; क्षुधार्ताय (kṣudhārtāya) - to one afflicted by hunger; अश्नुते (aśnute) - enjoys; फलम् (phalam) - the fruit;]
(Waters indeed, purified, cool, or heated by fire, according to ability, having given to a guest, to one afflicted by hunger, enjoys the fruit.)
If one, having purified water, whether cool or heated by fire, gives it to a guest according to his ability, he enjoys the fruit (of merit) when given to one afflicted by hunger.
रन्तिदेवेन लोकेष्टा सिद्धिः प्राप्ता महात्मना। फलपत्रैरथो मूलैर्मुनीनर्चितवानसौ ॥१२-२८१-७॥
rantidevena lokeṣṭā siddhiḥ prāptā mahātmanā। phalapatrairatho mūlairmunīnarcitavānasau ॥12-281-7॥
[रन्तिदेवेन (rantidevena) - by Rantideva; लोकेष्टा (lokeṣṭā) - desired in the world; सिद्धिः (siddhiḥ) - success; प्राप्ता (prāptā) - was attained; महात्मना (mahātmanā) - by the great-souled one; फलपत्रैः (phalapatraiḥ) - with fruits and leaves; अथ (atha) - then; मूलैः (mūlaiḥ) - with roots; मुनीन् (munīn) - sages; अर्चितवान् (arcitavān) - worshipped; असौ (asau) - he;]
(By Rantideva, the success desired in the world was attained by the great-souled one. With fruits, leaves, and then roots, he worshipped the sages.)
Rantideva, the great-souled one, attained the worldly success he desired. He worshipped the sages with fruits, leaves, and roots.
तैरेव फलपत्रैश्च स माठरमतोषयत्। तस्माल्लेभे परं स्थानं शैब्योऽपि पृथिवीपतिः ॥१२-२८१-८॥
taireva phalapatraiś ca sa māṭharam atoṣayat। tasmāl lebhe paraṃ sthānaṃ śaibyo'pi pṛthivīpatiḥ ॥12-281-8॥
[तैः (taiḥ) - by those; (instrumental plural of 'tat') ; एव (eva) - indeed; only; फलपत्रैः (phalapatraiḥ) - with fruits and leaves; (instrumental plural of 'phalapatra') ; च (ca) - and; सः (saḥ) - he; (nominative singular masculine) ; माठरम् (māṭharam) - Māṭhara; (proper noun, name of a sage) ; अतोषयत् (atoṣayat) - satisfied; pleased; (causative past of 'tuṣ') ; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; from that; (ablative singular of 'tat') ; लेभे (lebhe) - obtained; (middle past of 'labh') ; परम् (param) - supreme; highest; स्थानम् (sthānam) - place; position; शैब्यः (śaibyaḥ) - Śaibya; (proper noun, name of a king) ; अपि (api) - also; even; पृथिवीपतिः (pṛthivīpatiḥ) - lord of the earth; king; (compound: pṛthivī + pati) ;]
(By those very fruits and leaves, he satisfied Māṭhara. Therefore, Śaibya, the lord of the earth, also obtained the supreme place.)
With those very fruits and leaves, he pleased Māṭhara; therefore, even King Śaibya attained the highest position.
देवतातिथिभृत्येभ्यः पितृभ्योऽथात्मनस्तथा। ऋणवाञ्जायते मर्त्यस्तस्मादनृणतां व्रजेत् ॥१२-२८१-९॥
devatātithibhṛtyebhyaḥ pitṛbhyo'thātmanastathā। ṛṇavāñ jāyate martyas tasmād anṛṇatāṃ vrajet ॥12-281-9॥
[देवत (devata) - deity; अतिथि (atithi) - guest; भृत्येभ्यः (bhṛtyebhyaḥ) - to servants; पितृभ्यः (pitṛbhyaḥ) - to ancestors; अथ (atha) - and; आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ) - to oneself; तथा (tathā) - likewise; ऋणवान् (ṛṇavān) - one who is indebted; जायते (jāyate) - is born; मर्त्यः (martyaḥ) - mortal; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; अनृणताम् (anṛṇatām) - freedom from debt; व्रजेत् (vrajet) - should attain;]
(To deities, guests, servants, ancestors, and likewise to oneself, a mortal is born indebted; therefore, one should attain freedom from debt.)
A person is born indebted to deities, guests, servants, ancestors, and to oneself; therefore, one should strive to become free from all debts.
स्वाध्यायेन महर्षिभ्यो देवेभ्यो यज्ञकर्मणा। पितृभ्यः श्राद्धदानेन नृणामभ्यर्चनेन च ॥१२-२८१-१०॥
svādhyāyena maharṣibhyo devebhyo yajñakarmaṇā। pitṛbhyaḥ śrāddhadānena nṛṇāmabhyarcanena ca ॥12-281-10॥
[स्वाध्यायेन (svādhyāyena) - by self-study; by recitation of the Veda; महर्षिभ्यः (maharṣibhyaḥ) - to the great sages; देवेभ्यः (devebhyaḥ) - to the gods; यज्ञकर्मणा (yajñakarmaṇā) - by the act of sacrifice; पितृभ्यः (pitṛbhyaḥ) - to the ancestors; श्राद्धदानेन (śrāddhadānena) - by the gift of śrāddha; नृणाम् (nṛṇām) - of men; अभ्यर्चनेन (abhyarcanena) - by worship; च (ca) - and;]
(By self-study to the great sages, to the gods by the act of sacrifice, to the ancestors by the gift of śrāddha, and to men by worship.)
One should honor the great sages through self-study, the gods through sacrificial acts, the ancestors through offerings of śrāddha, and people through acts of worship.
वाचः शेषावहार्येण पालनेनात्मनोऽपि च। यथावद्भृत्यवर्गस्य चिकीर्षेद्धर्ममादितः ॥१२-२८१-११॥
vācaḥ śeṣāvahāryeṇa pālanenātmano'pi ca। yathāvadbhṛtyavargasya cikīrṣeddharmamāditaḥ ॥12-281-11॥
[वाचः (vācaḥ) - of speech; शेषावहार्येण (śeṣāvahāryeṇa) - with what remains to be taken; पालनेन (pālanena) - by protection; आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ) - of oneself; अपि (api) - also; च (ca) - and; यथावत् (yathāvat) - properly; भृत्यवर्गस्य (bhṛtyavargasya) - of the group of servants; चिकीर्षेत् (cikīrṣet) - should wish to do; धर्मम् (dharmam) - duty; आदितः (āditaḥ) - from the beginning;]
(Of speech, with what remains to be taken, by protection of oneself also and; properly, of the group of servants, should wish to do duty from the beginning.)
One should, from the very beginning, properly perform one's duty towards the group of servants, by protecting oneself and with what remains to be taken from speech.
प्रयत्नेन च संसिद्धा धनैरपि विवर्जिताः। सम्यग्घुत्वा हुतवहं मुनयः सिद्धिमागताः ॥१२-२८१-१२॥
prayatnena ca saṃsiddhā dhanair api vivarjitāḥ। samyag-ghutvā hutavahaṃ munayaḥ siddhim āgatāḥ ॥12-281-12॥
[प्रयत्नेन (prayatnena) - by effort; च (ca) - and; संसिद्धाः (saṃsiddhāḥ) - accomplished; धनैः (dhanair) - by wealth; अपि (api) - even; विवर्जिताः (vivarjitāḥ) - devoid of; सम्यक् (samyak) - properly; हुत्वा (hutvā) - having offered; हुतवहम् (hutavaham) - to fire; मुनयः (munayaḥ) - sages; सिद्धिम् (siddhim) - perfection; आगताः (āgatāḥ) - attained;]
(By effort and accomplished, even devoid of wealth, having properly offered to fire, the sages attained perfection.)
The sages, even without wealth, attained perfection by their efforts and by properly offering to the fire.
विश्वामित्रस्य पुत्रत्वमृचीकतनयोऽगमत्। ऋग्भिः स्तुत्वा महाभागो देवान्वै यज्ञभागिनः ॥१२-२८१-१३॥
viśvāmitrasya putratvam ṛcīka-tanayo 'gamat। ṛgbhiḥ stutvā mahābhāgo devān vai yajña-bhāginaḥ ॥12-281-13॥
[विश्वामित्रस्य (viśvāmitrasya) - of Viśvāmitra; पुत्रत्वम् (putratvam) - sonship; ऋचीकतनयः (ṛcīka-tanayaḥ) - the son of Ṛcīka; अगमत् (agamat) - attained; ऋग्भिः (ṛgbhiḥ) - with Ṛg (Vedic hymns); स्तुत्वा (stutvā) - having praised; महाभागः (mahābhāgaḥ) - the greatly fortunate one; देवान् (devān) - the gods; वै (vai) - indeed; यज्ञभागिनः (yajña-bhāginaḥ) - those who have a share in the sacrifice;]
(The son of Ṛcīka attained the sonship of Viśvāmitra. Having praised the gods, who indeed have a share in the sacrifice, with Ṛg (Vedic hymns), the greatly fortunate one (did so).)
The son of Ṛcīka became the son of Viśvāmitra. The greatly fortunate one praised the gods, who indeed have a share in the sacrifice, with Ṛg Vedic hymns.
गतः शुक्रत्वमुशना देवदेवप्रसादनात्। देवीं स्तुत्वा तु गगने मोदते तेजसा वृतः ॥१२-२८१-१४॥
gataḥ śukratvam uśanā devadevaprasādanāt। devīṃ stutvā tu gagane modate tejasā vṛtaḥ ॥12-281-14॥
[गतः (gataḥ) - gone; शुक्रत्वम् (śukratvam) - the state of Śukra; उशना (uśanā) - Uśanā (Śukra); देवदेवप्रसादनात् (devadevaprasādanāt) - by the favor of the Lord of lords; देवीं (devīṃ) - the goddess; स्तुत्वा (stutvā) - having praised; तु (tu) - but; गगने (gagane) - in the sky; मोदते (modate) - rejoices; तेजसा (tejasā) - by brilliance; वृतः (vṛtaḥ) - surrounded;]
(Uśanā, having attained the state of Śukra by the favor of the Lord of lords, having praised the goddess, but in the sky, rejoices, surrounded by brilliance.)
Uśanā, having become Śukra by the grace of the Lord of lords, praised the goddess and now rejoices in the sky, surrounded by radiance.
असितो देवलश्चैव तथा नारदपर्वतौ। कक्षीवाञ्जामदग्न्यश्च रामस्ताण्ड्यस्तथांशुमान् ॥१२-२८१-१५॥
asito devalaścaiva tathā nāradaparvatau। kakṣīvāñjāmadaghnyaśca rāmas tāṇḍyas tathāṃśumān ॥12-281-15॥
[असितः (asitaḥ) - Asita; (proper name); देवलः (devalaḥ) - Devala; (proper name); च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; तथा (tathā) - also; नारदपर्वतौ (nāradaparvatau) - Nārada and Parvata; (proper names, dual); कक्षीवान् (kakṣīvān) - Kakṣīvān; (proper name); जामदग्न्यः (jāmadagnyaḥ) - Jāmadagnya; (descendant of Jamadagni); च (ca) - and; रामः (rāmaḥ) - Rāma; (proper name, refers to Paraśurāma); ताण्ड्यः (tāṇḍyaḥ) - Tāṇḍya; (proper name); तथा (tathā) - also; अंशुमान् (aṃśumān) - Aṃśumān; (proper name);]
(Asita, Devala and indeed also Nārada and Parvata; Kakṣīvān, Jāmadagnya and Rāma, Tāṇḍya also Aṃśumān.)
Asita, Devala, Nārada and Parvata, Kakṣīvān, Jāmadagnya (Paraśurāma), Rāma, Tāṇḍya, and Aṃśumān were also present.
वसिष्ठो जमदग्निश्च विश्वामित्रोऽत्रिरेव च। भरद्वाजो हरिश्मश्रुः कुण्डधारः श्रुतश्रवाः ॥१२-२८१-१६॥
vasiṣṭho jamadagniś ca viśvāmitro'trir eva ca। bharadvājo hariśmaśruḥ kuṇḍadhāraḥ śrutaśravāḥ ॥12-281-16॥
[वसिष्ठः (vasiṣṭhaḥ) - Vasiṣṭha; (name of a sage); जमदग्निः (jamadagniḥ) - Jamadagni; (name of a sage); च (ca) - and; विश्वामित्रः (viśvāmitraḥ) - Viśvāmitra; (name of a sage); अत्रिः (atriḥ) - Atri; (name of a sage); एव (eva) - indeed; च (ca) - and; भरद्वाजः (bharadvājaḥ) - Bharadvāja; (name of a sage); हरिश्मश्रुः (hariśmaśruḥ) - Hariśmaśru; (name of a sage); कुण्डधारः (kuṇḍadhāraḥ) - Kuṇḍadhāra; (name of a sage); श्रुतश्रवाः (śrutaśravāḥ) - Śrutaśravā; (name of a sage);]
(Vasiṣṭha, Jamadagni and Viśvāmitra, Atri indeed and Bharadvāja, Hariśmaśru, Kuṇḍadhāra, Śrutaśravā.)
Vasiṣṭha, Jamadagni, Viśvāmitra, Atri, Bharadvāja, Hariśmaśru, Kuṇḍadhāra, and Śrutaśravā are the sages mentioned here.
एते महर्षयः स्तुत्वा विष्णुमृग्भिः समाहिताः। लेभिरे तपसा सिद्धिं प्रसादात्तस्य धीमतः ॥१२-२८१-१७॥
ete maharṣayaḥ stutvā viṣṇumṛgbhiḥ samāhitāḥ। lebhire tapasā siddhiṃ prasādāttasya dhīmataḥ ॥12-281-17॥
[एते (ete) - these; महर्षयः (maharṣayaḥ) - great sages; स्तुत्वा (stutvā) - having praised; विष्णुमृग्भिः (viṣṇumṛgbhiḥ) - with Viṣṇu-seekers; समाहिताः (samāhitāḥ) - concentrated; लेभिरे (lebhire) - obtained; तपसा (tapasā) - by austerity; सिद्धिं (siddhiṃ) - perfection; प्रसादात् (prasādāt) - by grace; तस्य (tasya) - of him; धीमतः (dhīmataḥ) - of the wise;]
(These great sages, having praised (him), concentrated with Viṣṇu-seekers, obtained perfection by austerity, by the grace of that wise one.)
These great sages, after praising (him) and focusing together with the Viṣṇu-seekers, attained perfection through austerity by the grace of that wise one.
अनर्हाश्चार्हतां प्राप्ताः सन्तः स्तुत्वा तमेव ह। न तु वृद्धिमिहान्विच्छेत्कर्म कृत्वा जुगुप्सितम् ॥१२-२८१-१८॥
anarhāś cārhatāṃ prāptāḥ santaḥ stutvā tameva ha। na tu vṛddhim ihānvicchet karma kṛtvā jugupsitam ॥12-281-18॥
[अनर्हाः (anarhāḥ) - unworthy ones; च (ca) - and; अर्हताम् (arhatām) - of the worthy; प्राप्ताः (prāptāḥ) - having attained; सन्तः (santaḥ) - good people; स्तुत्वा (stutvā) - having praised; तम् (tam) - him; एव (eva) - only; ह (ha) - indeed; न (na) - not; तु (tu) - but; वृद्धिम् (vṛddhim) - increase; इह (iha) - here; अन्विच्छेत् (anvicchet) - should seek; कर्म (karma) - action; कृत्वा (kṛtvā) - having done; जुगुप्सितम् (jugupsitam) - despicable;]
(Unworthy ones, having attained the status of the worthy, good people, having praised him only indeed, should not seek increase here by performing a despicable action.)
Even if unworthy people attain the status of the worthy and are praised by good people, one should not seek advancement here by performing a despicable act.
येऽर्था धर्मेण ते सत्या येऽधर्मेण धिगस्तु तान्। धर्मं वै शाश्वतं लोके न जह्याद्धनकाङ्क्षया ॥१२-२८१-१९॥
ye'rthā dharmeṇa te satyā ye'dharmeṇa dhigastu tān। dharmaṃ vai śāśvataṃ loke na jahyāddhanakāṅkṣayā ॥12-281-19॥
[ये (ye) - those; अर्थाः (arthāḥ) - objects; धर्मेण (dharmeṇa) - by righteousness; ते (te) - they; सत्याः (satyāḥ) - true; ये (ye) - those; अधर्मेण (adharmeṇa) - by unrighteousness; धिक् (dhik) - condemnation; अस्तु (astu) - let there be; तान् (tān) - those; धर्मम् (dharmaṃ) - righteousness; वै (vai) - indeed; शाश्वतम् (śāśvatam) - eternal; लोके (loke) - in the world; न (na) - not; जह्यात् (jahyāt) - should abandon; धनकाङ्क्षया (dhanakāṅkṣayā) - for desire of wealth;]
(Those objects which are by righteousness, they are true; those by unrighteousness, let there be condemnation of them. Righteousness indeed is eternal in the world; one should not abandon it for desire of wealth.)
Only those gains acquired through righteousness are true; those gained through unrighteousness deserve condemnation. Righteousness is eternal in the world; one should never abandon it for the sake of wealth.
आहिताग्निर्हि धर्मात्मा यः स पुण्यकृदुत्तमः। वेदा हि सर्वे राजेन्द्र स्थितास्त्रिष्वग्निषु प्रभो ॥१२-२८१-२०॥
āhitāgnir hi dharmātmā yaḥ sa puṇyakṛd uttamaḥ। vedā hi sarve rājendra sthitās triṣv agniṣu prabho॥12-281-20॥
[आहिताग्निः (āhitāgniḥ) - one who has established the sacred fires; हि (hi) - indeed; धर्मात्मा (dharmātmā) - righteous-souled; यः (yaḥ) - who; सः (saḥ) - he; पुण्यकृत् (puṇyakṛt) - doer of meritorious deeds; उत्तमः (uttamaḥ) - the highest; वेदा (vedāḥ) - the Vedas; हि (hi) - indeed; सर्वे (sarve) - all; राजेन्द्र (rājendra) - O king; स्थिताः (sthitāḥ) - are established; त्रिषु (triṣu) - in the three; अग्निषु (agniṣu) - in the fires; प्रभो (prabho) - O lord;]
(One who has established the sacred fires, indeed, the righteous-souled, who is the highest doer of meritorious deeds; the Vedas, indeed, O king, all are established in the three fires, O lord.)
O king, one who has established the sacred fires, who is righteous and the foremost doer of virtuous deeds—know that all the Vedas are indeed established in the three sacred fires, O lord.
स चाप्यग्न्याहितो विप्रः क्रिया यस्य न हीयते। श्रेयो ह्यनाहिताग्नित्वमग्निहोत्रं न निष्क्रियम् ॥१२-२८१-२१॥
sa cāpy agnyāhito vipraḥ kriyā yasya na hīyate। śreyo hy anāhitāgnitvam agnihotraṃ na niṣkriyam ॥12-281-21॥
[स (sa) - he; च (ca) - and; अपि (api) - also; अग्न्याहितः (agnyāhitaḥ) - one who has established the sacred fire; विप्रः (vipraḥ) - brāhmaṇa; क्रिया (kriyā) - ritual; यस्स्य (yasya) - whose; न (na) - not; हीयते (hīyate) - is diminished; श्रेयो (śreyaḥ) - better; हि (hi) - indeed; अनाहिताग्नित्वम् (anāhitāgnitvam) - the state of not having established the sacred fire; अग्निहोत्रम् (agnihotram) - Agnihotra ritual; न (na) - not; निष्क्रियम् (niṣkriyam) - without activity;]
(He also, the brāhmaṇa who has established the sacred fire, whose ritual is not diminished; indeed, the state of not having established the sacred fire is better than an Agnihotra that is without activity.)
A brāhmaṇa who has established the sacred fire and whose ritual actions are not diminished—indeed, it is better to be without the sacred fire than to perform the Agnihotra ritual without proper activity.
अग्निरात्मा च माता च पिता जनयिता तथा। गुरुश्च नरशार्दूल परिचर्या यथातथम् ॥१२-२८१-२२॥
agnirātmā ca mātā ca pitā janayitā tathā। guruśca naraśārdūla paricaryā yathātatham ॥12-281-22॥
[अग्निः (agniḥ) - fire; आत्मा (ātmā) - self; च (ca) - and; माता (mātā) - mother; च (ca) - and; पिता (pitā) - father; जनयिता (janayitā) - progenitor; तथा (tathā) - also; गुरुः (guruḥ) - teacher; च (ca) - and; नरशार्दूल (naraśārdūla) - O best of men; परिचर्या (paricaryā) - service; यथा (yathā) - as; तथम् (tatham) - so;]
(Fire, the self, and the mother, and the father, the progenitor also; the teacher, O best of men, service as (is) so.)
O best of men, fire, the self, mother, father, and progenitor, as well as the teacher, should be served accordingly.
मानं त्यक्त्वा यो नरो वृद्धसेवी; विद्वान्क्लीबः पश्यति प्रीतियोगात्। दाक्ष्येणाहीनो धर्मयुक्तो नदान्तो; लोकेऽस्मिन्वै पूज्यते सद्भिरार्यः ॥१२-२८१-२३॥
mānaṃ tyaktvā yo naro vṛddhasevī; vidvānklībaḥ paśyati prītiyogāt। dākṣyeṇāhīno dharmayukto nadānto; loke'sminvai pūjyate sadbhirāryaḥ ॥12-281-23॥
[मानं (mānam) - pride; त्यक्त्वा (tyaktvā) - having abandoned; यः (yaḥ) - who; नरः (naraḥ) - man; वृद्धसेवी (vṛddhasevī) - one who serves elders; विद्वान् (vidvān) - wise; क्लीबः (klībaḥ) - impotent; पश्यति (paśyati) - sees; प्रीतियोगात् (prītiyogāt) - from association with affection; दाक्ष्येण (dākṣyeṇa) - by skill; हीनः (hīnaḥ) - devoid; धर्मयुक्तः (dharmayuktaḥ) - endowed with dharma; न (na) - not; दान्तः (dāntaḥ) - self-restrained; लोके (loke) - in the world; अस्मिन् (asmin) - in this; वै (vai) - indeed; पूज्यते (pūjyate) - is honored; सद्भिः (sadbhiḥ) - by the good; आर्यः (āryaḥ) - noble one;]
(Having abandoned pride, the man who serves elders, the wise, the impotent, sees from association with affection. Devoid of skill, endowed with dharma, not self-restrained, in this world indeed, the noble one is honored by the good.)
He who has given up pride, serves elders, is wise, and even if lacking in skill or self-restraint but is endowed with dharma and affection, such a noble person is truly honored by the virtuous in this world.
