12.314
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं कृतात्मा कृतनिश्चयः। आत्मनात्मानमास्थाय दृष्ट्वा चात्मानमात्मना ॥१२-३१४-१॥
Having heard this speech, the self-controlled and resolute one, relying on his own self and perceiving the self by the self, acted accordingly. (12-314-1)
कृतकार्यः सुखी शान्तस्तूष्णीं प्रायादुदङ्मुखः। शैशिरं गिरिमुद्दिश्य सधर्मा मातरिश्वनः ॥१२-३१४-२॥
Having accomplished his task, happy and peaceful, he silently departed facing north, directing himself towards the Himālaya mountain, as a companion in dharma of Mātariśvan (the Wind-god). (12-314-2)
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु देवर्षिर्नारदस्तदा। हिमवन्तमियाद्द्रष्टुं सिद्धचारणसेवितम् ॥१२-३१४-३॥
At that very time, the divine sage Nārada went to the Himalaya, which was frequented by Siddhas and Cāraṇas, to see it. (12-314-3)
तमप्सरोगणाकीर्णं गीतस्वननिनादितम्। किंनराणां समूहैश्च भृङ्गराजैस्तथैव च ॥१२-३१४-४॥
That place, filled with groups of apsarases, resounded with the sound of singing, and was likewise accompanied by groups of kinnaras and king bees. (12-314-4)
मद्गुभिः खञ्जरीटैश्च विचित्रैर्जीवजीवकैः। चित्रवर्णैर्मयूरैश्च केकाशतविराजितैः ॥ राजहंससमूहैश्च हृष्टैः परभृतैस्तथा ॥१२-३१४-५॥
There were dabchicks, wagtails, various jīvajīvaka birds, peacocks of many colors resounding with hundreds of cries, as well as flocks of royal swans and joyful songbirds. (12-314-5)
पक्षिराजो गरुत्मांश्च यं नित्यमधिगच्छति। चत्वारो लोकपालाश्च देवाः सर्षिगणास्तथा ॥ यत्र नित्यं समायान्ति लोकस्य हितकाम्यया ॥१२-३१४-६॥
The king of birds, Garuda, always approaches him; the four guardians of the worlds, the gods, and groups of sages also always assemble there with the desire for the welfare of the world. (12-314-6)
विष्णुना यत्र पुत्रार्थे तपस्तप्तं महात्मना। यत्रैव च कुमारेण बाल्ये क्षिप्ता दिवौकसः ॥१२-३१४-७॥
Where Viṣṇu, for the sake of a son, performed austerities as a great soul; and in that very place, the boy in his childhood cast out the dwellers of heaven. (12-314-7)
शक्तिर्न्यस्ता क्षितितले त्रैलोक्यमवमन्य वै। यत्रोवाच जगत्स्कन्दः क्षिपन्वाक्यमिदं तदा ॥१२-३१४-८॥
When the power was laid down on the surface of the earth, disregarding the three worlds indeed, there Skanda, the lord of the world, spoke these words at that time. (12-314-8)
योऽन्योऽस्ति मत्तोऽभ्यधिको विप्रा यस्याधिकं प्रियाः। यो ब्रह्मण्यो द्वितीयोऽस्ति त्रिषु लोकेषु वीर्यवान् ॥१२-३१४-९॥
O Brāhmaṇas, if there is any other who is superior to me, whose dear ones are more; who is the second devoted to Brahman, powerful in the three worlds. (12-314-9)
सोऽभ्युद्धरत्विमां शक्तिमथ वा कम्पयत्विति। तच्छ्रुत्वा व्यथिता लोकाः क इमामुद्धरेदिति ॥१२-३१४-१०॥
He may lift up this power, or may he shake it, thus. Hearing that, the distressed worlds said, "Who can lift this?" (12-314-10)
अथ देवगणं सर्वं सम्भ्रान्तेन्द्रियमानसम्। अपश्यद्भगवान्विष्णुः क्षिप्तं सासुरराक्षसम् ॥ किं न्वत्र सुकृतं कार्यं भवेदिति विचिन्तयन् ॥१२-३१४-११॥
Then the blessed Viṣṇu saw that the entire host of gods, along with the asuras and rākṣasas, were disturbed and their senses and minds were agitated. Pondering, he thought, "What good deed should be done here?" (12-314-11)
स नामृष्यत तं क्षेपमवैक्षत च पावकिम्। स प्रहस्य विशुद्धात्मा शक्तिं प्रज्वलितां तदा ॥ कम्पयामास सव्येन पाणिना पुरुषोत्तमः ॥१२-३१४-१२॥
He could not tolerate that attack and looked at the fiery weapon. Smiling, the pure-hearted hero then shook the blazing spear with his left hand, the best among men. (12-314-12)
शक्त्यां तु कम्पमानायां विष्णुना बलिना तदा। मेदिनी कम्पिता सर्वा सशैलवनकानना ॥१२-३१४-१३॥
But when the energy trembled, the powerful Viṣṇu shook the entire earth along with her mountains, forests, and groves. (12-314-13)
शक्तेनापि समुद्धर्तुं कम्पिता सा न तूद्धृता। रक्षता स्कन्दराजस्य धर्षणां प्रभविष्णुना ॥१२-३१४-१४॥
Even though she was shaken by the powerful one in an attempt to completely lift her, she was not lifted. The mighty Viṣṇu, protector of Skanda king, repelled the attack. (12-314-14)
तां कम्पयित्वा भगवान्प्रह्रादमिदमब्रवीत्। पश्य वीर्यं कुमारस्य नैतदन्यः करिष्यति ॥१२-३१४-१५॥
After shaking her, the Lord said to Prahlāda, "See the strength of this boy; no one else will do this." (12-314-15)
सोऽमृष्यमाणस्तद्वाक्यं समुद्धरणनिश्चितः। जग्राह तां तस्य शक्तिं न चैनामप्यकम्पयत् ॥१२-३१४-१६॥
He, unable to tolerate those words and resolved to remove her, seized his spear, but even then did not shake her. (12-314-16)
नादं महान्तं मुक्त्वा स मूर्छितो गिरिमूर्धनि। विह्वलः प्रापतद्भूमौ हिरण्यकशिपोः सुतः ॥१२-३१४-१७॥
After letting out a great cry, he fainted atop the mountain; overcome with distress, the son of Hiraṇyakaśipu collapsed to the ground. (12-314-17)
यत्रोत्तरां दिशं गत्वा शैलराजस्य पार्श्वतः। तपोऽतप्यत दुर्धर्षस्तात नित्यं वृषध्वजः ॥१२-३१४-१८॥
O dear one, in the northern direction, beside the king of mountains, the unassailable Vṛṣadhvaja (Śiva) always practiced austerity. (12-314-18)
पावकेन परिक्षिप्तो दीप्यता तस्य चाश्रमः। आदित्यबन्धनं नाम दुर्धर्षमकृतात्मभिः ॥१२-३१४-१९॥
His hermitage, named the 'Āditya-bond', was surrounded by blazing fire and was unassailable by those who had not mastered themselves. (12-314-19)
न तत्र शक्यते गन्तुं यक्षराक्षसदानवैः। दशयोजनविस्तारमग्निज्वालासमावृतम् ॥१२-३१४-२०॥
It is not possible for yakṣas, rākṣasas, or dānavas to go there; it is an expanse of ten yojanas enveloped by flames of fire. (12-314-20)
भगवान्पावकस्तत्र स्वयं तिष्ठति वीर्यवान्। सर्वविघ्नान्प्रशमयन्महादेवस्य धीमतः ॥१२-३१४-२१॥
There, the illustrious Agni himself stands, powerful, removing all obstacles for the wise Mahadeva. (12-314-21)
दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं हि पादेनैकेन तिष्ठतः। देवान्सन्तापयंस्तत्र महादेवो धृतव्रतः ॥१२-३१४-२२॥
Mahadeva, firm in his vow, stood there on one foot for a thousand divine years, tormenting the gods. (12-314-22)
ऐन्द्रीं तु दिशमास्थाय शैलराजस्य धीमतः। विविक्ते पर्वततटे पाराशर्यो महातपाः ॥ वेदानध्यापयामास व्यासः शिष्यान्महातपाः ॥१२-३१४-२३॥
Vyāsa, the great ascetic and son of Parāśara, having taken up residence in the direction of Indra on a solitary slope of the wise king of mountains, taught the Vedas to his disciples. (12-314-23)
सुमन्तुं च महाभागं वैशम्पायनमेव च। जैमिनिं च महाप्राज्ञं पैलं चापि तपस्विनम् ॥१२-३१४-२४॥
Sumantu, the greatly fortunate; Vaiśampāyana; Jaimini, the greatly wise; and Paila, the ascetic, (12-314-24)
एभिः शिष्यैः परिवृतो व्यास आस्ते महातपाः। तत्राश्रमपदं पुण्यं ददर्श पितुरुत्तमम् ॥ आरणेयो विशुद्धात्मा नभसीव दिवाकरः ॥१२-३१४-२५॥
Surrounded by these disciples, the great ascetic Vyāsa sat. There he saw the holy hermitage of his excellent father. The son of Araṇi, pure in soul, shone like the sun in the sky. (12-314-25)
अथ व्यासः परिक्षिप्तं ज्वलन्तमिव पावकम्। ददर्श सुतमायान्तं दिवाकरसमप्रभम् ॥१२-३१४-२६॥
Then Vyāsa, encircled and blazing like fire, saw his son approaching, whose brilliance was equal to that of the sun. (12-314-26)
असज्जमानं वृक्षेषु शैलेषु विषमेषु च। योगयुक्तं महात्मानं यथा बाणं गुणच्युतम् ॥१२-३१४-२७॥
Just as an arrow released from the bowstring does not cling to trees, mountains, or uneven places, so too the great-souled one engaged in yoga remains unattached. (12-314-27)
सोऽभिगम्य पितुः पादावगृह्णादरणीसुतः। यथोपजोषं तैश्चापि समागच्छन्महामुनिः ॥१२-३१४-२८॥
The son of Araṇi, having approached, grasped his father's feet; then, with affection, the great sage joined with them as well. (12-314-28)
ततो निवेदयामास पित्रे सर्वमशेषतः। शुको जनकराजेन संवादं प्रीतमानसः ॥१२-३१४-२९॥
Then Śuka, his mind delighted, informed his father of the entire conversation he had with King Janaka, leaving nothing out. (12-314-29)
एवमध्यापयञ्शिष्यान्व्यासः पुत्रं च वीर्यवान्। उवास हिमवत्पृष्ठे पाराशर्यो महामुनिः ॥१२-३१४-३०॥
Thus, the powerful Vyāsa, son of Parāśara and great sage, taught his disciples and his son while residing on the slopes of the Himalayas. (12-314-30)
ततः कदाचिच्छिष्यास्तं परिवार्यावतस्थिरे। वेदाध्ययनसम्पन्नाः शान्तात्मानो जितेन्द्रियाः ॥१२-३१४-३१॥
Then, once, the disciples, accomplished in Vedic study, peaceful in mind and self-controlled, gathered around him and stood. (12-314-31)
वेदेषु निष्ठां सम्प्राप्य साङ्गेष्वतितपस्विनः। अथोचुस्ते तदा व्यासं शिष्याः प्राञ्जलयो गुरुम् ॥१२-३१४-३२॥
Having attained steadfastness in the Vedas and their auxiliaries, those disciples of great austerity then, with folded hands, spoke to their teacher Vyāsa. (12-314-32)
महता श्रेयसा युक्ता यशसा च स्म वर्धिताः। एकं त्विदानीमिच्छामो गुरुणानुग्रहं कृतम् ॥१२-३१४-३३॥
Endowed with great excellence and fame, we have indeed grown. But now, we desire one thing: the favor bestowed by the teacher. (12-314-33)
इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मर्षिस्तानुवाच ह। उच्यतामिति तद्वत्सा यद्वः कार्यं प्रियं मया ॥१२-३१४-३४॥
Having heard their words, he addressed those Brahmarṣis and said: "O dear ones, let it be told what task of yours is dear to me." (12-314-34)
एतद्वाक्यं गुरोः श्रुत्वा शिष्यास्ते हृष्टमानसाः। पुनः प्राञ्जलयो भूत्वा प्रणम्य शिरसा गुरुम् ॥१२-३१४-३५॥
Having heard this speech of the teacher, the disciples, their minds gladdened, again became reverent with folded hands and bowed their heads to the teacher. (12-314-35)
ऊचुस्ते सहिता राजन्निदं वचनमुत्तमम्। यदि प्रीत उपाध्यायो धन्याः स्मो मुनिसत्तम ॥१२-३१४-३६॥
They all said together to the king this excellent statement: "If the preceptor is pleased, we are blessed, O best of sages." (12-314-36)
काङ्क्षामस्तु वयं सर्वे वरं दत्तं महर्षिणा। षष्ठः शिष्यो न ते ख्यातिं गच्छेदत्र प्रसीद नः ॥१२-३१४-३७॥
We all desire the boon given by the great sage; let the sixth disciple not attain your fame here; please be gracious to us. (12-314-37)
चत्वारस्ते वयं शिष्या गुरुपुत्रश्च पञ्चमः। इह वेदाः प्रतिष्ठेरन्नेष नः काङ्क्षितो वरः ॥१२-३१४-३८॥
We are your four disciples, and the teacher's son is the fifth; may the Vedas be established here—this is the boon we desire. (12-314-38)
शिष्याणां वचनं श्रुत्वा व्यासो वेदार्थतत्त्ववित्। पराशरात्मजो धीमान्परलोकार्थचिन्तकः ॥ उवाच शिष्यान्धर्मात्मा धर्म्यं नैःश्रेयसं वचः ॥१२-३१४-३९॥
Having listened to the words of his disciples, Vyāsa, the wise son of Parāśara, knower of the essence of the Vedas and one who contemplates the purpose of the next world, spoke to his disciples a righteous and supremely beneficial discourse. (12-314-39)
ब्राह्मणाय सदा देयं ब्रह्म शुश्रूषवे भवेत्। ब्रह्मलोके निवासं यो ध्रुवं समभिकाङ्क्षति ॥१२-३१४-४०॥
The Veda should always be given to the brāhmaṇa who desires to serve it; for whoever earnestly desires a permanent residence in the world of Brahma. (12-314-40)
भवन्तो बहुलाः सन्तु वेदो विस्तार्यतामयम्। नाशिष्ये सम्प्रदातव्यो नाव्रते नाकृतात्मनि ॥१२-३१४-४१॥
Let you all be numerous, let this Veda be expanded; but it should not be imparted to one who is not a student, nor to one without vows, nor to one who is undisciplined in self. (12-314-41)
एते शिष्यगुणाः सर्वे विज्ञातव्या यथार्थतः। नापरीक्षितचारित्रे विद्या देया कथञ्चन ॥१२-३१४-४२॥
All these qualities of a student should be truly understood. Knowledge should never be imparted in any way to one whose character has not been examined. (12-314-42)
यथा हि कनकं शुद्धं तापच्छेदनिघर्षणैः। परीक्षेत तथा शिष्यानीक्षेत्कुलगुणादिभिः ॥१२-३१४-४३॥
Just as pure gold is tested by heating, cutting, and rubbing, so too should disciples be examined by their family, qualities, and other such factors. (12-314-43)
न नियोज्याश्च वः शिष्या अनियोगे महाभये। यथामति यथापाठं तथा विद्या फलिष्यति ॥१२-३१४-४४॥
Your disciples should not be engaged when there is no engagement or in great danger. Knowledge will bear fruit according to one's intellect and recitation. (12-314-44)
सर्वस्तरतु दुर्गाणि सर्वो भद्राणि पश्यतु। श्रावयेच्चतुरो वर्णान्कृत्वा ब्राह्मणमग्रतः ॥१२-३१४-४५॥
May everyone overcome difficulties, may everyone see auspicious things. Let the four castes be made to hear, with the brāhmaṇa placed at the front. (12-314-45)
वेदस्याध्ययनं हीदं तच्च कार्यं महत्स्मृतम्। स्तुत्यर्थमिह देवानां वेदाः सृष्टाः स्वयम्भुवा ॥१२-३१४-४६॥
The study of the Veda, indeed, this and that also, is considered a great duty; for the purpose of praising the gods here, the Vedas were created by the self-born. (12-314-46)
यो निर्वदेत संमोहाद्ब्राह्मणं वेदपारगम्। सोऽपध्यानाद्ब्राह्मणस्य पराभूयादसंशयम् ॥१२-३१४-४७॥
Whoever, out of delusion, blames a brāhmaṇa who has mastered the Vedas, he will certainly be defeated due to the brāhmaṇa's wrong meditation, without doubt. (12-314-47)
यश्चाधर्मेण विब्रूयाद्यश्चाधर्मेण पृच्छति। तयोरन्यतरः प्रैति विद्वेषं वाधिगच्छति ॥१२-३१४-४८॥
Whoever declares by unrighteousness, and whoever asks by unrighteousness—of those two, either one goes to or attains enmity. (12-314-48)
एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं स्वाध्यायस्य विधिं प्रति। उपकुर्याच्च शिष्याणामेतच्च हृदि वो भवेत् ॥१२-३१४-४९॥
All this has been explained to you regarding the procedure of self-study; it should benefit the students, and this should remain in your hearts. (12-314-49)
