12.318
नारद उवाच॥
Nārada said.
सुखदुःखविपर्यासो यदा समुपपद्यते। नैनं प्रज्ञा सुनीतं वा त्रायते नापि पौरुषम् ॥१२-३१८-१॥
When the reversal of happiness and sorrow occurs, neither wisdom, nor good conduct, nor even manliness can protect a person. (12-318-1)
स्वभावाद्यत्नमातिष्ठेद्यत्नवान्नावसीदति। जरामरणरोगेभ्यः प्रियमात्मानमुद्धरेत् ॥१२-३१८-२॥
One should make effort according to one's own nature; the diligent person does not fall. One should uplift one's dear self from old age, death, and diseases. (12-318-2)
रुजन्ति हि शरीराणि रोगाः शारीरमानसाः। सायका इव तीक्ष्णाग्राः प्रयुक्ता दृढधन्विभिः ॥१२-३१८-३॥
Diseases of the body and mind afflict the body just as sharp-pointed arrows shot by strong bowmen do. (12-318-3)
व्याधितस्य विवित्साभिस्त्रस्यतो जीवितैषिणः। अवशस्य विनाशाय शरीरमपकृष्यते ॥१२-३१८-४॥
The body of the helpless, afflicted person, who is fearful and desires to live, is dragged away to destruction. (12-318-4)
स्रवन्ति न निवर्तन्ते स्रोतांसि सरितामिव। आयुरादाय मर्त्यानां रात्र्यहानि पुनः पुनः ॥१२-३१८-५॥
Just as the streams of rivers flow and do not return, so too, taking away the life of mortals, nights and days pass by again and again. (12-318-5)
व्यत्ययो ह्ययमत्यन्तं पक्षयोः शुक्लकृष्णयोः। जातं मर्त्यं जरयति निमेषं नावतिष्ठते ॥१२-३१८-६॥
Indeed, this change, occurring completely in the two fortnights of the bright and dark, causes mortals who are born to age; not even a moment remains. (12-318-6)
सुखदुःखानि भूतानामजरो जरयन्नसौ। आदित्यो ह्यस्तमभ्येति पुनः पुनरुदेति च ॥१२-३१८-७॥
The sun, ageless himself, causes beings to age through pleasures and pains; he indeed approaches setting and again and again rises. (12-318-7)
अदृष्टपूर्वानादाय भावानपरिशङ्कितान्। इष्टानिष्टान्मनुष्याणामस्तं गच्छन्ति रात्रयः ॥१२-३१८-८॥
The nights, having taken states not seen before and not suspected, both desired and undesired by men, pass away. (12-318-8)
यो यमिच्छेद्यथाकामं कामानां तत्तदाप्नुयात्। यदि स्यान्न पराधीनं पुरुषस्य क्रियाफलम् ॥१२-३१८-९॥
Whoever desires any particular object as he wishes, would obtain each of those desires, if the fruit of a person's actions were not dependent on others. (12-318-9)
संयताश्च हि दक्षाश्च मतिमन्तश्च मानवाः। दृश्यन्ते निष्फलाः सन्तः प्रहीणाश्च स्वकर्मभिः ॥१२-३१८-१०॥
Even self-restrained, capable, and intelligent people are often seen to be fruitless and deprived because of their own actions. (12-318-10)
अपरे बालिशाः सन्तो निर्गुणाः पुरुषाधमाः। आशीर्भिरप्यसंयुक्ता दृश्यन्ते सर्वकामिनः ॥१२-३१८-११॥
There are others, foolish and without virtues, the lowest among men, who are seen to desire everything, even though they are not endowed with blessings. (12-318-11)
भूतानामपरः कश्चिद्धिंसायां सततोत्थितः। वञ्चनायां च लोकस्य स सुखेष्वेव जीर्यते ॥१२-३१८-१२॥
There is another person among beings who is always engaged in harming and deceiving people; he simply wastes away in pleasures. (12-318-12)
अचेष्टमानमासीनं श्रीः कञ्चिदुपतिष्ठति। कश्चित्कर्मानुसृत्यान्यो न प्राप्यमधिगच्छति ॥१२-३१८-१३॥
Fortune approaches someone who is sitting inactive, while another, even after following action, does not attain what is to be attained. (12-318-13)
अपराधं समाचक्ष्व पुरुषस्य स्वभावतः। शुक्रमन्यत्र सम्भूतं पुनरन्यत्र गच्छति ॥१२-३१८-१४॥
State the natural offence of man. The semen that is produced in one place moves to another. (12-318-14)
तस्य योनौ प्रसक्तस्य गर्भो भवति वा न वा। आम्रपुष्पोपमा यस्य निवृत्तिरुपलभ्यते ॥१२-३१८-१५॥
For one who is attached in the womb, an embryo may or may not result. The cessation is like that of a mango blossom. (12-318-15)
केषाञ्चित्पुत्रकामानामनुसन्तानमिच्छताम्। सिद्धौ प्रयतमानानां नैवाण्डमुपजायते ॥१२-३१८-१६॥
For some who desire sons and wish for further progeny, even though they strive for success, no egg is produced. (12-318-16)
गर्भाच्चोद्विजमानानां क्रुद्धादाशीविषादिव। आयुष्माञ्जायते पुत्रः कथं प्रेतः पितैव सः ॥१२-३१८-१७॥
Just as from the womb of those who are frightened or from the angry, as from a venomous snake, a long-lived son is born; how then can he be dead like his father? (12-318-17)
देवानिष्ट्वा तपस्तप्त्वा कृपणैः पुत्रगृद्धिभिः। दश मासान्परिधृता जायन्ते कुलपांसनाः ॥१२-३१८-१८॥
After worshipping the gods and performing austerities, the miserable, greedy for sons, bear for ten months and give birth to those who become the disgrace of the family. (12-318-18)
अपरे धनधान्यानि भोगांश्च पितृसञ्चितान्। विपुलानभिजायन्ते लब्धास्तैरेव मङ्गलैः ॥१२-३१८-१९॥
Others are born into abundant wealth, grains, enjoyments, and possessions accumulated by their ancestors, and these are obtained by them indeed through those auspicious acts. (12-318-19)
अन्योन्यं समभिप्रेत्य मैथुनस्य समागमे। उपद्रव इवाविष्टो योनिं गर्भः प्रपद्यते ॥१२-३१८-२०॥
When both approach each other in union, the embryo, as if impelled by a disturbance, enters the womb. (12-318-20)
शीर्णं परशरीरेण निच्छवीकं शरीरिणम्। प्राणिनां प्राणसंरोधे मांसश्लेष्मविचेष्टितम् ॥१२-३१८-२१॥
Withered by another's body, the embodied becomes skinless; when the breath of living beings is restrained, only flesh and phlegm cause movement. (12-318-21)
निर्दग्धं परदेहेन परदेहं चलाचलम्। विनश्यन्तं विनाशान्ते नावि नावमिवाहितम् ॥१२-३१८-२२॥
Just as a boat placed on another boat perishes at the end of destruction, so too, the moving and unmoving (world), burned by another body, perishes. (12-318-22)
सङ्गत्या जठरे न्यस्तं रेतोबिन्दुमचेतनम्। केन यत्नेन जीवन्तं गर्भं त्वमिह पश्यसि ॥१२-३१८-२३॥
By what effort do you see here a living embryo, which is an unconscious drop of semen placed in the womb by conjunction? (12-318-23)
अन्नपानानि जीर्यन्ते यत्र भक्षाश्च भक्षिताः। तस्मिन्नेवोदरे गर्भः किं नान्नमिव जीर्यते ॥१२-३१८-२४॥
Food and drinks are digested in the place where all that is eaten is digested; so why is it that, in that very belly, the embryo is not digested like food? (12-318-24)
गर्भमूत्रपुरीषाणां स्वभावनियता गतिः। धारणे वा विसर्गे वा न कर्तुर्विद्यते वशः ॥१२-३१८-२५॥
The movement of the womb, urine, and feces is governed by their own nature; whether in retention or release, the person has no control over them. (12-318-25)
स्रवन्ति ह्युदराद्गर्भा जायमानास्तथापरे। आगमेन सहान्येषां विनाश उपपद्यते ॥१२-३१८-२६॥
Indeed, embryos flow from the belly as they are born; likewise, for others, destruction arises together with their arrival. (12-318-26)
एतस्माद्योनिसम्बन्धाद्यो जीवन्परिमुच्यते। प्रजां च लभते काञ्चित्पुनर्द्वंद्वेषु मज्जति ॥१२-३१८-२७॥
Whoever, while living, is freed from this connection with the source, obtains some offspring, but again sinks into dualities. (12-318-27)
शतस्य सहजातस्य सप्तमीं दशमीं दशाम्। प्राप्नुवन्ति ततः पञ्च न भवन्ति शतायुषः ॥१२-३१८-२८॥
Of a hundred born together, the seventh and tenth stages are attained; after that, five do not become those who live a hundred years. (12-318-28)
नाभ्युत्थाने मनुष्याणां योगाः स्युर्नात्र संशयः। व्याधिभिश्च विमथ्यन्ते व्यालैः क्षुद्रमृगा इव ॥१२-३१८-२९॥
Success is not attained by men without effort; there is no doubt about this. Just as small animals are tormented by serpents and diseases, so too are people without effort. (12-318-29)
व्याधिभिर्भक्ष्यमाणानां त्यजतां विपुलं धनम्। वेदनां नापकर्षन्ति यतमानाश्चिकित्सकाः ॥१२-३१८-३०॥
Physicians, even though striving, do not remove the pain of those being consumed by diseases and abandoning abundant wealth. (12-318-30)
ते चापि निपुणा वैद्याः कुशलाः सम्भृतौषधाः। व्याधिभिः परिकृष्यन्ते मृगा व्याधैरिवार्दिताः ॥१२-३१८-३१॥
Even those skilled physicians, expert and possessing well-collected medicines, are afflicted by diseases, just as deer are tormented by hunters. (12-318-31)
ते पिबन्तः कषायांश्च सर्पींषि विविधानि च। दृश्यन्ते जरया भग्ना नागा नागैरिवोत्तमैः ॥१२-३१८-३२॥
They, drinking various astringent decoctions and clarified butters, are seen broken by old age, like elephants broken by the best of elephants. (12-318-32)
के वा भुवि चिकित्सन्ते रोगार्तान्मृगपक्षिणः। श्वापदानि दरिद्रांश्च प्रायो नार्ता भवन्ति ते ॥१२-३१८-३३॥
Who on earth treats the diseased, the afflicted, the beasts and birds, wild animals, and the poor? Generally, they are not cared for when afflicted. (12-318-33)
घोरानपि दुराधर्षान्नृपतीनुग्रतेजसः। आक्रम्य रोग आदत्ते पशून्पशुपचो यथा ॥१२-३१८-३४॥
Just as a butcher seizes animals, so too does disease attack and seize even terrible, unconquerable kings of fierce energy. (12-318-34)
इति लोकमनाक्रन्दं मोहशोकपरिप्लुतम्। स्रोतसा सहसा क्षिप्तं ह्रियमाणं बलीयसा ॥१२-३१८-३५॥
Thus, the world, without a cry, overwhelmed by delusion and grief, was suddenly thrown and carried away by the stronger current. (12-318-35)
न धनेन न राज्येन नोग्रेण तपसा तथा। स्वभावा व्यतिवर्तन्ते ये नियुक्ताः शरीरिषु ॥१२-३१८-३६॥
The inherent natures of those who are embodied and appointed cannot be transcended by wealth, sovereignty, or even severe austerity. (12-318-36)
न म्रियेरन्न जीर्येरन्सर्वे स्युः सर्वकामिकाः। नाप्रियं प्रतिपश्येयुरुत्थानस्य फलं प्रति ॥१२-३१८-३७॥
No one would die or decay; all would have all their desires fulfilled. No one would see anything unpleasant as a result of their efforts. (12-318-37)
उपर्युपरि लोकस्य सर्वो भवितुमिच्छति। यतते च यथाशक्ति न च तद्वर्तते तथा ॥१२-३१८-३८॥
Everyone in the world desires to rise higher and higher. Each strives according to their ability, but it does not always happen so. (12-318-38)
ऐश्वर्यमदमत्तांश्च मत्तान्मद्यमदेन च। अप्रमत्ताः शठाः क्रूरा विक्रान्ताः पर्युपासते ॥१२-३१८-३९॥
Those who are intoxicated by the pride of sovereignty and those intoxicated by liquor, who are vigilant, deceitful, cruel, and powerful, attend upon them. (12-318-39)
क्लेशाः प्रतिनिवर्तन्ते केषाञ्चिदसमीक्षिताः। स्वं स्वं च पुनरन्येषां न किञ्चिदभिगम्यते ॥१२-३१८-४०॥
Afflictions return for some who are not careful; each attains only their own, and nothing of others is ever gained. (12-318-40)
महच्च फलवैषम्यं दृश्यते कर्मसन्धिषु। वहन्ति शिबिकामन्ये यान्त्यन्ये शिबिकागताः ॥१२-३१८-४१॥
A great inequality of results is seen in the course of actions: some people carry the palanquin, while others ride in it. (12-318-41)
सर्वेषामृद्धिकामानामन्ये रथपुरःसराः। मनुजाश्च शतस्त्रीकाः शतशो विधवाः स्त्रियः ॥१२-३१८-४२॥
Among all those who desired prosperity, there were others who led chariots; and among men with hundreds of wives, there were hundreds of widowed women. (12-318-42)
द्वंद्वारामेषु भूतेषु गच्छन्त्येकैकशो नराः। इदमन्यत्परं पश्य मात्र मोहं करिष्यसि ॥१२-३१८-४३॥
Men pass one by one among beings who delight in duality. See this other supreme; you will only create delusion. (12-318-43)
त्यज धर्ममधर्मं च उभे सत्यानृते त्यज। उभे सत्यानृते त्यक्त्वा येन त्यजसि तं त्यज ॥१२-३१८-४४॥
Abandon both righteousness and unrighteousness, and abandon both truth and untruth. Having given up both truth and untruth, also abandon that by which you abandon them. (12-318-44)
एतत्ते परमं गुह्यमाख्यातमृषिसत्तम। येन देवाः परित्यज्य मर्त्यलोकं दिवं गताः ॥१२-३१८-४५॥
O best of sages, this supreme secret has been revealed to you, by which the gods, having left the mortal world, ascended to heaven. (12-318-45)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा शुकः परमबुद्धिमान्। सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा धीरो निश्चयं नाध्यगच्छत ॥१२-३१८-४६॥
After hearing Nārada's words, the supremely wise Śuka, having reflected deeply, could not arrive at a definite conclusion. (12-318-46)
पुत्रदारैर्महान्क्लेशो विद्याम्नाये महाञ्श्रमः। किं नु स्याच्छाश्वतं स्थानमल्पक्लेशं महोदयम् ॥१२-३१८-४७॥
Sons and wives bring great affliction; the pursuit of knowledge requires great effort. Is there, indeed, any eternal place that brings great benefit with little affliction? (12-318-47)
ततो मुहूर्तं सञ्चिन्त्य निश्चितां गतिमात्मनः। परावरज्ञो धर्मस्य परां नैःश्रेयसीं गतिम् ॥१२-३१८-४८॥
Then, after pondering for a moment upon the determined path of the self, the one who knows the higher and lower aspects of dharma chose the supreme path leading to the highest good. (12-318-48)
कथं त्वहमसङ्क्लिष्टो गच्छेयं परमां गतिम्। नावर्तेयं यथा भूयो योनिसंसारसागरे ॥१२-३१८-४९॥
How can I, remaining untainted, attain the supreme state so that I do not return again to the ocean of the cycle of birth and existence? (12-318-49)
परं भावं हि काङ्क्षामि यत्र नावर्तते पुनः। सर्वसङ्गान्परित्यज्य निश्चितां मनसो गतिम् ॥१२-३१८-५०॥
I truly seek the highest state, where there is no return, having given up all attachments and following the mind's certain path. (12-318-50)
तत्र यास्यामि यत्रात्मा शमं मेऽधिगमिष्यति। अक्षयश्चाव्ययश्चैव यत्र स्थास्यामि शाश्वतः ॥१२-३१८-५१॥
I will go there where my soul attains peace; where I will remain eternally, imperishable and unchanging. (12-318-51)
न तु योगमृते शक्या प्राप्तुं सा परमा गतिः। अवबन्धो हि मुक्तस्य कर्मभिर्नोपपद्यते ॥१२-३१८-५२॥
But that supreme state cannot be attained without yoga. For the liberated, bondage by actions does not arise. (12-318-52)
तस्माद्योगं समास्थाय त्यक्त्वा गृहकलेवरम्। वायुभूतः प्रवेक्ष्यामि तेजोराशिं दिवाकरम् ॥१२-३१८-५३॥
Therefore, having established myself in yoga and having left this bodily house, I will assume the form of air and enter the radiant mass of the sun. (12-318-53)
न ह्येष क्षयमाप्नोति सोमः सुरगणैर्यथा। कम्पितः पतते भूमिं पुनश्चैवाधिरोहति ॥ क्षीयते हि सदा सोमः पुनश्चैवाभिपूर्यते ॥१२-३१८-५४॥
This Soma does not truly perish as the gods might cause; though shaken and fallen to earth, he rises again. The Moon is always waning, yet again and again he is filled anew. (12-318-54)
रविस्तु सन्तापयति लोकान्रश्मिभिरुल्बणैः। सर्वतस्तेज आदत्ते नित्यमक्षयमण्डलः ॥१२-३१८-५५॥
But the sun heats the worlds with his powerful rays; the imperishable orb always draws energy from all directions. (12-318-55)
अतो मे रोचते गन्तुमादित्यं दीप्ततेजसम्। अत्र वत्स्यामि दुर्धर्षो निःसङ्गेनान्तरात्मना ॥१२-३१८-५६॥
Therefore, I wish to go to the Sun, who is of blazing splendor. Here, I shall remain unassailable, with detachment and with my inner self. (12-318-56)
सूर्यस्य सदने चाहं निक्षिप्येदं कलेवरम्। ऋषिभिः सह यास्यामि सौरं तेजोऽतिदुःसहम् ॥१२-३१८-५७॥
In the abode of the sun, having left this body, I shall go together with the sages to the solar radiance that is extremely unbearable. (12-318-57)
आपृच्छामि नगान्नागान्गिरीनुर्वीं दिशो दिवम्। देवदानवगन्धर्वान्पिशाचोरगराक्षसान् ॥१२-३१८-५८॥
I bid farewell to the mountains, serpents, earth, the directions, the heavens, the gods, demons, gandharvas, piśācas, serpents, and rākṣasas. (12-318-58)
लोकेषु सर्वभूतानि प्रवेक्ष्यामि नसंशयः। पश्यन्तु योगवीर्यं मे सर्वे देवाः सहर्षिभिः ॥१२-३१८-५९॥
Without doubt, I shall enter all beings in the worlds; let all the gods together with the sages witness my power of yoga. (12-318-59)
अथानुज्ञाप्य तमृषिं नारदं लोकविश्रुतम्। तस्मादनुज्ञां सम्प्राप्य जगाम पितरं प्रति ॥१२-३१८-६०॥
Then, after taking leave of the sage Nārada, who is renowned in the world, and having received his permission, he went to his father. (12-318-60)
सोऽभिवाद्य महात्मानमृषिं द्वैपायनं मुनिम्। शुकः प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य कृष्णमापृष्टवान्मुनिः ॥१२-३१८-६१॥
He, having saluted the great sage Dvaipayana, Śuka, after circumambulating Kṛṣṇa, took leave of him, the sage. (12-318-61)
श्रुत्वा ऋषिस्तद्वचनं शुकस्य; प्रीतो महात्मा पुनराह चैनम्। भो भोः पुत्र स्थीयतां तावदद्य; यावच्चक्षुः प्रीणयामि त्वदर्थम् ॥१२-३१८-६२॥
Having heard that speech of Śuka, the sage, greatly pleased, again said to him: "O son, remain here today as long as I may gratify my eyes for your sake." (12-318-62)
निरपेक्षः शुको भूत्वा निःस्नेहो मुक्तबन्धनः। मोक्षमेवानुसञ्चिन्त्य गमनाय मनो दधे ॥ पितरं सम्परित्यज्य जगाम द्विजसत्तमः ॥१२-३१८-६३॥
Śuka, becoming free from expectations, without affection, and released from all bonds, fixed his mind only on liberation. Having completely abandoned his father, the best among the twice-born departed. (12-318-63)
