12.315
Bhishma said.
When they heard these words of their teacher, Vyāsa's powerful disciples, their hearts filled with joy, embraced one another at that moment. (12-315-1)
We are those to whom the venerable one spoke that future compilation at that time; we shall firmly establish that in our minds, and so it shall be. (12-315-2)
Honoring each other in this way, with very pleased minds, those skilled in speech again informed the teacher. (12-315-3)
O great sage, it is our desire to go from the mountain to the earth. If it is pleasing to you, O lord, to arrange the Vedas in many ways, then let it be so. (12-315-4)
After hearing the words of the disciples, the son of Parāśara, the lord, then replied with a statement that was beneficial and in accordance with dharma and artha. (12-315-5)
Whether you go to earth or to the world of the gods, if it pleases you, still you must be vigilant; for Brahman is indeed full of much deceit. (12-315-6)
Then, having been permitted by their truth-speaking teacher, all of them circumambulated Vyāsa, saluted him with their heads, and departed. (12-315-7)
Having descended to the earth, they then established the fourfold sacrificial rites, engaging the brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, and the people in performing sacrifices. (12-315-8)
They are always worshipped by the twice-born, ever rejoicing, devoted to their homes, engaged in performing sacrifices and teaching, prosperous, and renowned throughout the world. (12-315-9)
When the disciples had assembled, Vyāsa, accompanied by his son, silently and wisely sat down in solitude, intent on meditation. (12-315-10)
Nārada, of great austerity, saw him in the hermitage. Then, at the proper time, he addressed him with sweet words. (12-315-11)
O great sage Vasiṣṭha, the sound of Vedic chanting is absent. Why do you sit alone, silent and absorbed in meditation, as if lost in thought? (12-315-12)
This mountain, devoid of the sounds of Vedic chants, does not appear splendid, just as the moon, when covered by dust and darkness and disturbed, does not shine. (12-315-13)
It does not shine as before, like the abode of the Niṣādas; even though it was favored by the group of divine sages, it has been dispelled by the sound of the Veda. (12-315-14)
The seers, gods, and gandharvas of great energy, though liberated by the sound of Brahman, do not shine as they once did. (12-315-15)
After hearing Nārada's words, Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana (Vyāsa) said: "O great sage, what you have spoken, O expert in Vedic teachings..." (12-315-16)
You, who are all-knowing, all-seeing, present everywhere and curious, deserve to speak that which is pleasing to my mind. (12-315-17)
Whatever has happened in all the three worlds is established in your opinion. O sage among Brāhmaṇas, command me—tell me, what shall I do for you? (12-315-18)
O Brahmarṣi, please declare what should be performed by me. My mind, being separated here from my disciples, is not very pleased. (12-315-19)
Nārada said.
The Vedas are considered impure if not from the proper recensions; for a Brāhmaṇa, lack of observance of vows is impurity; the Vāhīkas are the impurity of the earth; curiosity is the impurity of women. (12-315-20)
Study the Vedas together with your wise son, dispelling the darkness caused by fear of demons through the sound of the Veda. (12-315-21)
Bhishma said.
Hearing Nārada's words, Vyāsa, who was steadfast in his vow and a knower of the highest dharma, joyfully replied, being firm in his practice of the Vedas. (12-315-22)
Śuka, together with his son, then practiced the Veda. With a loud voice, he, with the voice of a student, seemed as if filling the worlds. (12-315-23)
While those two, engaged in such practice and speaking of various natures, the wind blew excessively, stirred by the ocean breeze. (12-315-24)
Then, saying 'non-study', Vyāsa prevented his son. But Śuka, though just restrained, was filled with curiosity. (12-315-25)
He asked his father, "O Brahman, from where did this Vāyu arise? You are worthy to tell all the activities of Vāyu." (12-315-26)
Hearing these words of Śuka, Vyāsa was greatly astonished. On this occasion of non-study, he spoke these words. (12-315-27)
Your divine eye has arisen, and your mind is healthy and pure; freed from darkness and passion, you are established in purity. (12-315-28)
Just as you see your own shadow in a mirror by yourself, so place the Vedas within yourself and deeply reflect upon them with your intellect. (12-315-29)
The one who follows the path of the gods, that of Viṣṇu, and the one who follows the path of the ancestors, which is dark—these two paths, after death, lead respectively to heaven and to the lower realms. (12-315-30)
On the earth, in the atmosphere, and wherever the winds move together, these are the seven paths of the wind; know them in their proper order. (12-315-31)
There, the groups of gods known as the Sādhyas, who were of great strength, were born together. Among them, there was also a son named Samāna, called Durjaya. (12-315-32)
Udāna became his son, and Vyāna became his son; Apāna is to be known from that, and Prāṇa also, the supreme, from that. (12-315-33)
Prāṇa, who was without offspring, became difficult to overcome and a tormentor of enemies. But I shall now declare their actions separately, just as they were. (12-315-34)
The wind, which causes the activity of living beings on all sides separately, is called 'prāṇa' because of breathing, and thus it is named prāṇa among beings. (12-315-35)
The wind named Pravaha, who is the first in the first path, sets in motion the masses of clouds, as well as smoke-born and heat-born objects. (12-315-36)
In the sky, the moisture from the clouds and the lightnings, and of excellent brightness; the second wind, called Āvaha, blows together, roaring. (12-315-37)
He who causes the rising of the luminaries, including the eternal Soma and others, and whom the great sages call udāna within the bodies; (12-315-38)
The wind, having drawn up water from the four oceans, holds it; and having lifted it, the waters are taken from the clouds in the sky by the wind. (12-315-39)
He who, having united the clouds with waters, gives them to Parjanya; he is called Udvaha, the most rainy, the third, and he always moves on his course. (12-315-40)
Those dark-blue, separate clouds, gathered together in many ways by him, whose activity is to release rain, become masses of clouds. (12-315-41)
The rivers, which are joined together and pierced by someone, become noisy; for the purpose of protection, they arise and attain the state of being clouds. (12-315-42)
He who carries the chariots of the gods through the sky, the fourth wind named Saṃvaha, is the crusher of mountains. (12-315-43)
The clouds, broken by the swift, dry, non-hurting wind, having their juices driven away, do not become rain clouds. (12-315-44)
The fifth wind, named Vivaha, of great speed, is a terrible portentous movement in the sky, thunderous in nature. (12-315-45)
In that deluge, the divine waters are carried through the sky, and the sacred water of the celestial Ganga, having supported all, remains. (12-315-46)
That in which the sun, whose single ray is repelled from afar, is the source of a thousand rays, by which the earth shines. (12-315-47)
From which Soma, the divine treasure of nectar, is filled; the sixth conduit is called Parivaha, and it is the wind, the best among the swift. (12-315-48)
He who removes the life-breaths of all living beings at the final moment, whose path both Death and Vaivasvata follow. (12-315-49)
He who, properly examining with a tranquil intellect that is constantly devoted to the self, and who delights in the practice of meditation, becomes fit for immortality. (12-315-50)
Having swiftly approached him, the thousands of the ten sons of Dakṣa, the lord of creatures, reached the ends of the directions. (12-315-51)
That by which one is created and overpowered, and goes forth never to return—Parāvaha is the name of that supreme wind, which is difficult to overcome. (12-315-52)
In this way, these Maruts, sons of Aditi, are supremely wondrous; they are tireless, move together, pervade all, and sustain everything. (12-315-53)
But this is truly a great wonder: that this best of mountains was suddenly shaken by that wind blowing upon it. (12-315-54)
O dear one, when this wind, which is the exhalation of Viṣṇu, is suddenly set in motion with speed, then the whole world trembles. (12-315-55)
Therefore, knowers of Brahman do not study Brahman; for it is said that if one exceeds the wind, there would be fear of the wind; that Brahman would become afflicted. (12-315-56)
Having spoken thus, the son of Parāśara, the lord, after telling his son "Study", then went to the celestial Gaṅgā. (12-315-57)
