12.309
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
कथं निर्वेदमापन्नः शुको वैयासकिः पुरा। एतदिच्छामि कौरव्य श्रोतुं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥१२-३०९-१॥
O descendant of Kuru, I wish to hear how Śuka, the son of Vyāsa, formerly attained dispassion; for I am indeed curious about this. (12-309-1)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
प्राकृतेन सुवृत्तेन चरन्तमकुतोभयम्। अध्याप्य कृत्स्नं स्वाध्यायमन्वशाद्वै पिता सुतम् ॥१२-३०९-२॥
The father, having taught his son the entire self-study, observed him living fearlessly by natural and good conduct. (12-309-2)
धर्मं पुत्र निषेवस्व सुतीक्ष्णौ हि हिमातपौ। क्षुत्पिपासे च वायुं च जय नित्यं जितेन्द्रियः ॥१२-३०९-३॥
O son, practice righteousness; indeed, always conquer the two sharp opposites, cold and heat, as well as hunger, thirst, and wind, O self-controlled one. (12-309-3)
सत्यमार्जवमक्रोधमनसूयां दमं तपः। अहिंसां चानृशंस्यं च विधिवत्परिपालय ॥१२-३०९-४॥
Protect truth, straightforwardness, absence of anger, absence of envy, self-restraint, austerity, non-violence, and compassion, all in accordance with the rules. (12-309-4)
सत्ये तिष्ठ रतो धर्मे हित्वा सर्वमनार्जवम्। देवतातिथिशेषेण यात्रां प्राणस्य संश्रय ॥१२-३०९-५॥
Stand firm in truth, delight in righteousness, abandoning all dishonesty; with what remains after offerings to deity and guest, sustain the journey of your life. (12-309-5)
फेनपात्रोपमे देहे जीवे शकुनिवत्स्थिते। अनित्ये प्रियसंवासे कथं स्वपिषि पुत्रक ॥१२-३०९-६॥
O son, when the body is like a vessel of foam, the soul resides like a bird, and both the body and the company of loved ones are impermanent, how can you sleep so peacefully? (12-309-6)
अप्रमत्तेषु जाग्रत्सु नित्ययुक्तेषु शत्रुषु। अन्तरं लिप्समानेषु बालस्त्वं नावबुध्यसे ॥१२-३०९-७॥
O child, you do not perceive the difference among those who are not careless, those who are awake, those who are always engaged, among enemies, and among those who are seeking gain. (12-309-7)
गण्यमानेषु वर्षेषु क्षीयमाणे तथायुषि। जीविते शिष्यमाणे च किमुत्थाय न धावसि ॥१२-३०९-८॥
As the years are being counted and your lifespan is diminishing, and as your life is being reduced, why do you not rise up and act quickly? (12-309-8)
ऐहलौकिकमीहन्ते मांसशोणितवर्धनम्। पारलौकिककार्येषु प्रसुप्ता भृशनास्तिकाः ॥१२-३०९-९॥
They pursue only worldly gains, seeking the increase of flesh and blood. When it comes to actions concerning the next world, they are dormant and extremely atheistic. (12-309-9)
धर्माय येऽभ्यसूयन्ति बुद्धिमोहान्विता नराः। अपथा गच्छतां तेषामनुयातापि पीड्यते ॥१२-३०९-१०॥
Those men who, due to delusion of intellect, bear ill-will towards dharma, and walk the wrong path— even their followers are afflicted. (12-309-10)
ये तु तुष्टाः सुनियताः सत्यागमपरायणाः। धर्म्यं पन्थानमारूढास्तानुपास्स्व च पृच्छ च ॥१२-३०९-११॥
But those who are content, well-disciplined, devoted to the true doctrine, and who have set upon the righteous path—approach them, serve them, and ask them questions. (12-309-11)
उपधार्य मतं तेषां वृद्धानां धर्मदर्शिनाम्। नियच्छ परया बुद्ध्या चित्तमुत्पथगामि वै ॥१२-३०९-१२॥
After considering the opinion of those elders who are seers of dharma, restrain your mind that is going astray by means of supreme intellect. (12-309-12)
अद्यकालिकया बुद्ध्या दूरे श्व इति निर्भयाः। सर्वभक्षा न पश्यन्ति कर्मभूमिं विचेतसः ॥१२-३०९-१३॥
Those who, with a present-minded intellect, think 'tomorrow is far' and are fearless, all-consuming, and unintelligent, do not see the field of action. (12-309-13)
धर्मनिःश्रेणिमास्थाय किञ्चित्किञ्चित्समारुह। कोशकारवदात्मानं वेष्टयन्नावबुध्यसे ॥१२-३०९-१४॥
By taking hold of the ladder of righteousness and climbing little by little, you wrap yourself up like a cocoon-maker and do not realize it. (12-309-14)
नास्तिकं भिन्नमर्यादं कूलपातमिवास्थिरम्। वामतः कुरु विस्रब्धो नरं वेणुमिवोद्धतम् ॥१२-३०९-१५॥
Treat an atheist, one who has broken boundaries and is unstable like one fallen from the riverbank, as you would a proud bamboo—deal confidently with such a man on the left. (12-309-15)
कामं क्रोधं च मृत्युं च पञ्चेन्द्रियजलां नदीम्। नावं धृतिमयीं कृत्वा जन्मदुर्गाणि सन्तर ॥१२-३०९-१६॥
With a boat made of fortitude, cross over the river of desire, anger, death, and the waters of the five senses, thus overcoming the fortresses of birth. (12-309-16)
मृत्युनाभ्याहते लोके जरया परिपीडिते। अमोघासु पतन्तीषु धर्मयानेन सन्तर ॥१२-३०९-१७॥
When the world is struck by death and afflicted by old age, as the worthy ones fall, cross over by the vehicle of dharma. (12-309-17)
तिष्ठन्तं च शयानं च मृत्युरन्वेषते यदा। निर्वृतिं लभसे कस्मादकस्मान्मृत्युनाशितः ॥१२-३०९-१८॥
Whether standing or lying down, death seeks you; when you obtain release, from where and unexpectedly, you are consumed by death. (12-309-18)
सञ्चिन्वानकमेवैनं कामानामवितृप्तकम्। वृकीवोरणमासाद्य मृत्युरादाय गच्छति ॥१२-३०९-१९॥
Death, having seized this person who is ever accumulating and never satisfied with desires, departs just as a she-wolf goes off after obtaining her prey. (12-309-19)
क्रमशः सञ्चितशिखो धर्मबुद्धिमयो महान्। अन्धकारे प्रवेष्टव्ये दीपो यत्नेन धार्यताम् ॥१२-३०९-२०॥
Step by step, the great one whose intellect is filled with righteousness and who has accumulated merit, when entering darkness, should carefully hold the lamp. (12-309-20)
सम्पतन्देहजालानि कदाचिदिह मानुषे। ब्राह्मण्यं लभते जन्तुस्तत्पुत्र परिपालय ॥१२-३०९-२१॥
O son, sometimes a being attains prosperity and a network of bodies in this human birth; but Brahminhood is obtained—therefore, protect that (Brahminhood). (12-309-21)
ब्राह्मणस्य हि देहोऽयं न कामार्थाय जायते। इह क्लेशाय तपसे प्रेत्य त्वनुपमं सुखम् ॥१२-३०९-२२॥
Indeed, the body of a brāhmaṇa is not born for the pursuit of desire; here it is for hardship and austerity, but after departing, there is incomparable happiness. (12-309-22)
ब्राह्मण्यं बहुभिरवाप्यते तपोभि; स्तल्लब्ध्वा न परिपणेन हेडितव्यम्। स्वाध्याये तपसि दमे च नित्ययुक्तः; क्षेमार्थी कुशलपरः सदा यतस्व ॥१२-३०९-२३॥
The state of being a Brāhmaṇa is attained by many through austerities; once obtained, it should not be demeaned by trading it away. Always be engaged in self-study, austerity, and self-restraint; desiring welfare and devoted to skill, always strive. (12-309-23)
अव्यक्तप्रकृतिरयं कलाशरीरः; सूक्ष्मात्मा क्षणत्रुटिशो निमेषरोमा। ऋत्वास्यः समबलशुक्लकृष्णनेत्रो; मांसाङ्गो द्रवति वयोहयो नराणाम् ॥१२-३०९-२४॥
This, whose nature is unmanifest, is the body composed of parts; its self is subtle, lord of moments and instants, with blinks as its hairs. With seasons as its mouth, equal in strength, with eyes white and black; flesh-limbed, it melts away as the horse of time for men. (12-309-24)
तं दृष्ट्वा प्रसृतमजस्रमुग्रवेगं; गच्छन्तं सततमिहाव्यपेक्षमाणम्। चक्षुस्ते यदि न परप्रणेतृनेयं; धर्मे ते भवतु मनः परं निशम्य ॥१२-३०९-२५॥
Having seen him rushing forward with unceasing and fierce speed, always going here without looking back, if your attention is not on another's instigation, let your mind be supremely fixed in dharma, having heard this. (12-309-25)
येऽमी तु प्रचलितधर्मकामवृत्ताः; क्रोशन्तः सततमनिष्टसम्प्रयोगाः। क्लिश्यन्ते परिगतवेदनाशरीरा; बह्वीभिः सुभृशमधर्मवासनाभिः ॥१२-३०९-२६॥
But these, engaged in the conduct of prevailing dharma and desire, constantly joined with the undesirable, cry out. Their bodies, having undergone pain, are afflicted by many intense tendencies of adharma. (12-309-26)
राजा धर्मपरः सदा शुभगोप्ता; समीक्ष्य सुकृतिनां दधाति लोकान्। बहुविधमपि चरतः प्रदिशति; सुखमनुपगतं निरवद्यम् ॥१२-३०९-२७॥
The king, who is always devoted to dharma and protects the auspicious, after observing the virtuous, bestows worlds upon them. He grants various kinds of happiness, even those not yet attained and blameless, to those who act. (12-309-27)
श्वानो भीषणायोमुखानि वयांसि; वडगृध्रकुलपक्षिणां च सङ्घाः। नरां कदने रुधिरपा गुरुवचन; नुदमुपरतं विशसन्ति ॥१२-३०९-२८॥
Dogs for terror, iron-mouthed birds, and assemblies of vultures and crows; blood-drinking men in the slaughter, driven by the command of the elders, ceased, they tear apart. (12-309-28)
मर्यादा नियताः स्वयम्भुवा य इहेमाः; प्रभिनत्ति दशगुणा मनोनुगत्वात्। निवसति भृशमसुखं पितृविषय; विपिनमवगाह्य स पापः ॥१२-३०९-२९॥
He who breaks the boundaries fixed by the self-existent here, tenfold due to following his mind, dwells very unhappily in the ancestral domain; having entered the forest, that sinner. (12-309-29)
यो लुब्धः सुभृशं प्रियानृतश्च मनुष्यः; सततनिकृतिवञ्चनारतिः स्यात्। उपनिधिभिरसुखकृत्स परमनिरयगो; भृशमसुखमनुभवति दुष्कृतकर्मा ॥१२-३०९-३०॥
A person who is greedy, greatly fond of speaking pleasing falsehoods, and always delights in deceit and cheating, by misusing deposits causes unhappiness, and being a doer of evil deeds, he goes to the highest hell and experiences intense suffering. (12-309-30)
उष्णां वैतरणीं महानदी; मवगाढोऽसिपत्रवनभिन्नगात्रः। परशुवनशयो निपतितो; वसति च महानिरये भृशार्तः ॥१२-३०९-३१॥
He is immersed in the hot Vaitarani, the great river, his body wounded by the forest of sword-leaves. Fallen and lying in the forest of axes, he dwells in the great hell, greatly afflicted. (12-309-31)
महापदानि कत्थसे न चाप्यवेक्षसे परम्। चिरस्य मृत्युकारिकामनागतां न बुध्यसे ॥१२-३०९-३२॥
You boast of great dangers, yet you do not consider the future; after a long time, you do not realize the impending cause of death. (12-309-32)
प्रयास्यतां किमास्यते समुत्थितं महद्भयम्। अतिप्रमाथि दारुणं सुखस्य संविधीयताम् ॥१२-३०९-३३॥
Let action be taken; why wait when great danger has arisen? Since the peril is very destructive and terrible, arrangements for happiness should be made. (12-309-33)
पुरा मृतः प्रणीयसे यमस्य मृत्युशासनात्। तदन्तिकाय दारुणैः प्रयत्नमार्जवे कुरु ॥१२-३०९-३४॥
Once dead, you are led by the terrible servants from the command of Yama to his presence; therefore, act with effort and uprightness. (12-309-34)
पुरा समूलबान्धवं प्रभुर्हरत्यदुःखवित्। तवेह जीवितं यमो न चास्ति तस्य वारकः ॥१२-३०९-३५॥
In the past, the lord takes away everything, including roots and relatives, without knowing sorrow. Here, regarding your life, Yama is present, and there is no one who can prevent him. (12-309-35)
पुरा विवाति मारुतो यमस्य यः पुरःसरः। पुरैक एव नीयसे कुरुष्व साम्परायिकम् ॥१२-३०९-३६॥
In the past, the wind, who is the forerunner of Yama, blows; in the end, you are led alone—therefore, do what pertains to the next world. (12-309-36)
पुरा सहिक्क एव ते प्रवाति मारुतोऽन्तकः। पुरा च विभ्रमन्ति ते दिशो महाभयागमे ॥१२-३०९-३७॥
Once, with a gasp, your wind, the destroyer, blows; and once, your directions wander when great danger approaches. (12-309-37)
स्मृतिश्च संनिरुध्यते पुरा तवेह पुत्रक। समाकुलस्य गच्छतः समाधिमुत्तमं कुरु ॥१२-३०९-३८॥
O son, here formerly your memory too is completely restrained; as you go, being agitated, attain the supreme concentration. (12-309-38)
कृताकृते शुभाशुभे प्रमादकर्मविप्लुते। स्मरन्पुरा न तप्यसे निधत्स्व केवलं निधिम् ॥१२-३०९-३९॥
Do not grieve over actions done or not done, good or bad, or those ruined by negligence in the past; remember this and simply preserve the true treasure. (12-309-39)
पुरा जरा कलेवरं विजर्जरीकरोति ते। बलाङ्गरूपहारिणी निधत्स्व केवलं निधिम् ॥१२-३०९-४०॥
In the past, old age destroys your body. Since it takes away strength, limbs, and beauty, you should deposit only the true treasure. (12-309-40)
पुरा शरीरमन्तको भिनत्ति रोगसायकैः। प्रसह्य जीवितक्षये तपो महत्समाचर ॥१२-३०९-४१॥
Before death breaks the body with the arrows of disease and forcibly ends life, practice great austerity. (12-309-41)
पुरा वृका भयङ्करा मनुष्यदेहगोचराः। अभिद्रवन्ति सर्वतो यतस्व पुण्यशीलने ॥१२-३०९-४२॥
Formerly, terrifying wolves that moved among human bodies would rush from all sides; therefore, strive, O virtuous one. (12-309-42)
पुरान्धकारमेककोऽनुपश्यसि त्वरस्व वै। पुरा हिरण्मयान्नगान्निरीक्षसेऽद्रिमूर्धनि ॥१२-३०९-४३॥
Once, you saw only darkness alone; now, hasten indeed. Soon, you will see golden mountains on the mountain peak. (12-309-43)
पुरा कुसङ्गतानि ते सुहृन्मुखाश्च शत्रवः। विचालयन्ति दर्शनाद्घटस्व पुत्र यत्परम् ॥१२-३०९-४४॥
In the past, your bad associations—enemies appearing as friends—disturb you merely by their presence; therefore, son, strive for that which is highest. (12-309-44)
धनस्य यस्य राजतो भयं न चास्ति चौरतः। मृतं च यन्न मुञ्चति समर्जयस्व तद्धनम् ॥१२-३०९-४५॥
Acquire that wealth of which there is no fear from the king or from thieves, which even when dead does not leave you; acquire such wealth. (12-309-45)
न तत्र संविभज्यते स्वकर्मभिः परस्परम्। यदेव यस्य यौतकं तदेव तत्र सोऽश्नुते ॥१२-३०९-४६॥
There, actions are not mutually divided among each other. Whatever is deserved by someone, that alone he obtains there. (12-309-46)
परत्र येन जीव्यते तदेव पुत्र दीयताम्। धनं यदक्षयं ध्रुवं समर्जयस्व तत्स्वयम् ॥१२-३०९-४७॥
O son, only that should be given by which one lives in the next world. You yourself should acquire that wealth which is imperishable and everlasting. (12-309-47)
न यावदेव पच्यते महाजनस्य यावकम्। अपक्व एव यावके पुरा प्रणीयसे त्वर ॥१२-३०९-४८॥
You are not led away for the barley of a great person as long as it is being cooked. You are hurriedly led away before the barley is even cooked. (12-309-48)
न मातृपितृबान्धवा न संस्तुतः प्रियो जनः। अनुव्रजन्ति सङ्कटे व्रजन्तमेकपातिनम् ॥१२-३०९-४९॥
Neither mother, father, nor relatives, nor even a beloved person who is praised, follow one who departs alone in difficulty. (12-309-49)
यदेव कर्म केवलं स्वयं कृतं शुभाशुभम्। तदेव तस्य यौतकं भवत्यमुत्र गच्छतः ॥१२-३०९-५०॥
Whatever action, whether auspicious or inauspicious, is done solely by oneself, that alone becomes his destined result there (in the next world) for the one who departs. (12-309-50)
हिरण्यरत्नसञ्चयाः शुभाशुभेन सञ्चिताः। न तस्य देहसङ्क्षये भवन्ति कार्यसाधकाः ॥१२-३०९-५१॥
The collections of gold and jewels, amassed through auspicious or inauspicious means, do not serve any purpose for a person at the time of the destruction of his body. (12-309-51)
परत्रगामिकस्य ते कृताकृतस्य कर्मणः। न साक्षिरात्मना समो नृणामिहास्ति कश्चन ॥१२-३०९-५२॥
For the one who goes to the other world, regarding your actions done and not done, there is no one among men here who is equal to the witnessing self. (12-309-52)
मनुष्यदेहशून्यकं भवत्यमुत्र गच्छतः। प्रपश्य बुद्धिचक्षुषा प्रदृश्यते हि सर्वतः ॥१२-३०९-५३॥
When one departs there, the human body becomes empty. Observe with the eye of intellect, for indeed it is perceived everywhere. (12-309-53)
इहाग्निसूर्यवायवः शरीरमाश्रितास्त्रयः। त एव तस्य साक्षिणो भवन्ति धर्मदर्शिनः ॥१२-३०९-५४॥
Here, the three—fire, sun, and winds—reside in the body; they indeed become his witnesses, being knowers of dharma. (12-309-54)
यथानिशेषु सर्वतःस्पृशत्सु सर्वदारिषु। प्रकाशगूढवृत्तिषु स्वधर्ममेव पालय ॥१२-३०९-५५॥
Just as in all nights, touching every side and every door, whether in manifest or hidden conduct, always protect your own dharma. (12-309-55)
अनेकपारिपन्थिके विरूपरौद्ररक्षिते। स्वमेव कर्म रक्ष्यतां स्वकर्म तत्र गच्छति ॥१२-३०९-५६॥
Even in a place full of many obstacles, guarded by the ugly and the terrible, one's own action alone is protected; one's own action reaches there. (12-309-56)
न तत्र संविभज्यते स्वकर्मणा परस्परम्। यथाकृतं स्वकर्मजं तदेव भुज्यते फलम् ॥१२-३०९-५७॥
There, the results of actions are not mutually shared by one's own deeds. Whatever is done, the fruit produced by one's own action alone is indeed enjoyed. (12-309-57)
यथाप्सरोगणाः फलं सुखं महर्षिभिः सह। तथाप्नुवन्ति कर्मतो विमानकामगामिनः ॥१२-३०९-५८॥
Just as groups of apsarases enjoy the fruit of happiness together with great sages, so too, those who travel to desired aerial vehicles attain this by their actions. (12-309-58)
यथेह यत्कृतं शुभं विपाप्मभिः कृतात्मभिः। तदाप्नुवन्ति मानवास्तथा विशुद्धयोनयः ॥१२-३०९-५९॥
Just as here, whatever auspicious act is performed by those free from sin and self-controlled, that is attained by men; so also is it attained by those of pure origin. (12-309-59)
प्रजापतेः सलोकतां बृहस्पतेः शतक्रतोः। व्रजन्ति ते परां गतिं गृहस्थधर्मसेतुभिः ॥१२-३०९-६०॥
By the bridges of householder's dharma, they attain the supreme state, reaching the same world as Prajāpati, Bṛhaspati, and Śatakratu (Indra). (12-309-60)
सहस्रशोऽप्यनेकशः प्रवक्तुमुत्सहामहे। अबुद्धिमोहनं पुनः प्रभुर्विना न यावकम् ॥१२-३०९-६१॥
Even if we are able to declare in thousands and many ways, without the Lord, not even a little of bewildering the unintelligent can be done again. (12-309-61)
गता द्विरष्टवर्षता ध्रुवोऽसि पञ्चविंशकः। कुरुष्व धर्मसञ्चयं वयो हि तेऽतिवर्तते ॥१२-३०९-६२॥
The period of twenty-eight years has passed; you are now certainly twenty-five years old. Accumulate merit, for your age is indeed passing by. (12-309-62)
पुरा करोति सोऽन्तकः प्रमादगोमुखं दमम्। यथागृहीतमुत्थितं त्वरस्व धर्मपालने ॥१२-३०९-६३॥
Formerly, he who enacts restraint in the form of negligence is death. As soon as it is taken up, arise and hasten to protect dharma. (12-309-63)
यदा त्वमेव पृष्ठतस्त्वमग्रतो गमिष्यसि। तथा गतिं गमिष्यतः किमात्मना परेण वा ॥१२-३०९-६४॥
When you yourself will go both behind and ahead, then what is the use of the path for one who is going, whether by oneself or by another? (12-309-64)
यदेकपातिनां सतां भवत्यमुत्र गच्छताम्। भयेषु साम्परायिकं निधत्स्व तं महानिधिम् ॥१२-३०९-६५॥
Deposit that great treasure, which becomes the next-worldly support for the good who go alone there, in dangers. (12-309-65)
सकूलमूलबान्धवं प्रभुर्हरत्यसङ्गवान्। न सन्ति यस्य वारकाः कुरुष्व धर्मसंनिधिम् ॥१२-३०९-६६॥
The lord takes away even one who is unattached, along with his family, roots, and relatives. For the one who has no obstacles, accumulate righteousness. (12-309-66)
इदं निदर्शनं मया तवेह पुत्र संमतम्। स्वदर्शनानुमानतः प्रवर्णितं कुरुष्व तत् ॥१२-३०९-६७॥
Son, this example, which I have described here for you and which is approved, has been set forth based on my own observation and inference; act accordingly. (12-309-67)
दधाति यः स्वकर्मणा धनानि यस्य कस्यचित्। अबुद्धिमोहजैर्गुणैः शतैक एव युज्यते ॥१२-३०९-६८॥
Of those who, by their own actions, place wealth in the hands of anyone, only one out of a hundred is truly joined by qualities born of ignorance and delusion. (12-309-68)
श्रुतं समर्थमस्तु ते प्रकुर्वतः शुभाः क्रियाः। तदेव तत्र दर्शनं कृतज्ञमर्थसंहितम् ॥१२-३०९-६९॥
May what you have heard be capable for you as you perform auspicious actions. There, that alone is the vision—grateful and full of meaning. (12-309-69)
निबन्धनी रज्जुरेषा या ग्रामे वसतो रतिः। छित्त्वैनां सुकृतो यान्ति नैनां छिन्दन्ति दुष्कृतः ॥१२-३०९-७०॥
This attachment to village life is a binding rope; the virtuous, having cut it, go (beyond), but the wicked do not cut it. (12-309-70)
किं ते धनेन किं बन्धुभिस्ते; किं ते पुत्रैः पुत्रक यो मरिष्यसि। आत्मानमन्विच्छ गुहां प्रविष्टं; पितामहास्ते क्व गताश्च सर्वे ॥१२-३०९-७१॥
What use is wealth to you, or relatives to you? What use are sons to you, O little son, who will die? Seek the self that has entered the cave; where have all your forefathers gone? (12-309-71)
श्वःकार्यमद्य कुर्वीत पूर्वाह्णे चापराह्णिकम्। को हि तद्वेद कस्याद्य मृत्युसेना निवेक्ष्यते ॥१२-३०९-७२॥
One should do tomorrow's task today, and the afternoon's task in the forenoon; for who indeed knows for whom death's army will be deployed today? (12-309-72)
अनुगम्य श्मशानान्तं निवर्तन्तीह बान्धवाः। अग्नौ प्रक्षिप्य पुरुषं ज्ञातयः सुहृदस्तथा ॥१२-३०९-७३॥
Relatives accompany one to the end of the cremation ground, and here they return; after casting the person into the fire, the kinsmen and friends do the same. (12-309-73)
नास्तिकान्निरनुक्रोशान्नरान्पापमतौ स्थितान्। वामतः कुरु विश्रब्धं परं प्रेप्सुरतन्द्रितः ॥१२-३०९-७४॥
Confidently act against the atheists, the merciless men standing with evil intent on the left, striving for the other side without sloth. (12-309-74)
एवमभ्याहते लोके कालेनोपनिपीडिते। सुमहद्धैर्यमालम्ब्य धर्मं सर्वात्मना कुरु ॥१२-३०९-७५॥
Thus, when the world is afflicted and oppressed by time, take up great courage and practice righteousness with all your heart. (12-309-75)
अथेमं दर्शनोपायं सम्यग्यो वेत्ति मानवः। सम्यक्स धर्मं कृत्वेह परत्र सुखमेधते ॥१२-३०९-७६॥
Now, a human who rightly knows this method of vision, having properly performed duty here, attains happiness in the next world. (12-309-76)
न देहभेदे मरणं विजानतां; न च प्रणाशः स्वनुपालिते पथि। धर्मं हि यो वर्धयते स पण्डितो; य एव धर्माच्च्यवते स मुह्यति ॥१२-३०९-७७॥
For those who know, death does not occur at the separation of the body; nor is there destruction on the well-followed path. He who increases dharma is truly wise; but he who falls away from dharma becomes deluded. (12-309-77)
प्रयुक्तयोः कर्मपथि स्वकर्मणोः; फलं प्रयोक्ता लभते यथाविधि। निहीनकर्मा निरयं प्रपद्यते; त्रिविष्टपं गच्छति धर्मपारगः ॥१२-३०९-७८॥
Among those engaged in action on their own path, the instigator receives the fruit as prescribed. One who is deficient in action attains hell, while the one who is accomplished in righteousness goes to heaven. (12-309-78)
सोपानभूतं स्वर्गस्य मानुष्यं प्राप्य दुर्लभम्। तथात्मानं समादध्याद्भ्रश्येत न पुनर्यथा ॥१२-३०९-७९॥
Having attained human birth, which is a rare means of ascent to heaven, one should thus steady the self so as not to fall again as before. (12-309-79)
यस्य नोत्क्रामति मतिः स्वर्गमार्गानुसारिणी। तमाहुः पुण्यकर्माणमशोच्यं मित्रबान्धवैः ॥१२-३०९-८०॥
He whose mind does not stray and follows the path to heaven is said to be a man of virtuous deeds, not to be mourned by friends and relatives. (12-309-80)
यस्य नोपहता बुद्धिर्निश्चयेष्ववलम्बते। स्वर्गे कृतावकाशस्य तस्य नास्ति महद्भयम् ॥१२-३०९-८१॥
He whose intellect is not overpowered and does not depend on determinations, for him, who has made opportunity in heaven, there is no great fear. (12-309-81)
तपोवनेषु ये जातास्तत्रैव निधनं गताः। तेषामल्पतरो धर्मः कामभोगमजानताम् ॥१२-३०९-८२॥
Those who were born in the forest-hermitages and died there itself, for them, who did not know the enjoyment of desires, their merit is very little. (12-309-82)
यस्तु भोगान्परित्यज्य शरीरेण तपश्चरेत्। न तेन किञ्चिन्न प्राप्तं तन्मे बहुमतं फलम् ॥१२-३०९-८३॥
But as for one who, having renounced enjoyments, practices austerity with the body, nothing is attained by him; to me, that is the most highly regarded fruit. (12-309-83)
मातापितृसहस्राणि पुत्रदारशतानि च। अनागतान्यतीतानि कस्य ते कस्य वा वयम् ॥१२-३०९-८४॥
Thousands of mothers and fathers, hundreds of sons and wives—those not yet come and those past—whose are they to you, or whose are we? (12-309-84)
न तेषां भवता कार्यं न कार्यं तव तैरपि। स्वकृतैस्तानि यातानि भवांश्चैव गमिष्यति ॥१२-३०९-८५॥
You have nothing to do for them, nor do they have anything to do for you; by their own actions, they have gone, and you too will indeed go. (12-309-85)
इह लोके हि धनिनः परोऽपि स्वजनायते। स्वजनस्तु दरिद्राणां जीवतामेव नश्यति ॥१२-३०९-८६॥
Here in this world, even a stranger to the wealthy is regarded as family, but the family of the poor, even while alive, is lost. (12-309-86)
सञ्चिनोत्यशुभं कर्म कलत्रापेक्षया नरः। ततः क्लेशमवाप्नोति परत्रेह तथैव च ॥१२-३०९-८७॥
A man, depending on his wife, accumulates unwholesome deeds; as a result, he suffers affliction both here and in the next world in the same way. (12-309-87)
पश्य त्वं छिद्रभूतं हि जीवलोकं स्वकर्मणा। तत्कुरुष्व तथा पुत्र कृत्स्नं यत्समुदाहृतम् ॥१२-३०९-८८॥
See, you, the world of living beings has indeed become full of flaws by their own actions. Therefore, my son, do entirely as has been declared. (12-309-88)
तदेतत्सम्प्रदृश्यैव कर्मभूमिं प्रविश्य ताम्। शुभान्याचरितव्यानि परलोकमभीप्सता ॥१२-३०९-८९॥
Having thoroughly observed this, and having entered the field of action, one who desires the next world should perform auspicious deeds. (12-309-89)
मासर्तुसञ्ज्ञापरिवर्तकेन; सूर्याग्निना रात्रिदिवेन्धनेन। स्वकर्मनिष्ठाफलसाक्षिकेण; भूतानि कालः पचति प्रसह्य ॥१२-३०९-९०॥
Time, which brings about the change of months and seasons, which is the fire of the sun, which uses night and day as its fuel, and which witnesses the results of steadfastness in one's own actions, forcefully matures all beings. (12-309-90)
धनेन किं यन्न ददाति नाश्नुते; बलेन किं येन रिपून्न बाधते। श्रुतेन किं येन न धर्ममाचरे; त्किमात्मना यो न जितेन्द्रियो वशी ॥१२-३०९-९१॥
Of what use is wealth if one does not give or enjoy it? Of what use is strength if one does not subdue enemies? Of what use is learning if one does not practice righteousness? Of what use is oneself if one has not conquered the senses and is not self-controlled? (12-309-91)
इदं द्वैपायनवचो हितमुक्तं निशम्य तु। शुको गतः परित्यज्य पितरं मोक्षदेशिकम् ॥१२-३०९-९२॥
Having heard these beneficial words spoken by Dvaipayana, Shuka, abandoning his father, the teacher of liberation, departed. (12-309-92)
