12.322
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
स एवमुक्तो द्विपदां वरिष्ठो; नारायणेनोत्तमपूरुषेण। जगाद वाक्यं द्विपदां वरिष्ठं; नारायणं लोकहिताधिवासम् ॥३-३२२-१॥
Thus addressed by Nārāyaṇa, the supreme person, the foremost among bipeds spoke these words to Nārāyaṇa, the foremost among bipeds and the abode of the world's welfare. (3-322-1)
यदर्थमात्मप्रभवेह जन्म; तवोत्तमं धर्मगृहे चतुर्धा। तत्साध्यतां लोकहितार्थमद्य; गच्छामि द्रष्टुं प्रकृतिं तवाद्याम् ॥३-३२२-२॥
For the purpose for which you have taken birth here for self-manifestation, your supreme fourfold form in the house of dharma—let that be accomplished today for the welfare of the world; I go now to see your primordial nature. (3-322-2)
वेदाः स्वधीता मम लोकनाथ; तप्तं तपो नानृतमुक्तपूर्वम्। पूजां गुरूणां सततं करोमि; परस्य गुह्यं न च भिन्नपूर्वम् ॥३-३२२-३॥
O lord of the world, the Vedas have been well-studied by me; I have performed austerities, never having uttered falsehood before. I always worship my teachers; I have never revealed another's secret before. (3-322-3)
गुप्तानि चत्वारि यथागमं मे; शत्रौ च मित्रे च समोऽस्मि नित्यम्। तं चादिदेवं सततं प्रपन्न; एकान्तभावेन वृणोम्यजस्रम् ॥ एभिर्विशेषैः परिशुद्धसत्त्वः; कस्मान्न पश्येयमनन्तमीशम् ॥३-३२२-४॥
According to tradition, I have four hidden qualities; I am always equal towards both enemy and friend. I always take refuge in that primordial god, choosing him with single-minded devotion, unceasingly. With these distinctions, being one whose essence is purified, why should I not behold the infinite lord? (3-322-4)
तत्पारमेष्ठ्यस्य वचो निशम्य; नारायणः सात्वतधर्मगोप्ता। गच्छेति तं नारदमुक्तवान्स; सम्पूजयित्वात्मविधिक्रियाभिः ॥३-३२२-५॥
After hearing Brahmā's words, Nārāyaṇa, the protector of Sātvata-dharma, said to Nārada, "Go"; and, having honored him with his own prescribed rites. (3-322-5)
ततो विसृष्टः परमेष्ठिपुत्रः; सोऽभ्यर्चयित्वा तमृषिं पुराणम्। खमुत्पपातोत्तमवेगयुक्त; स्ततोऽधिमेरौ सहसा निलिल्ये ॥३-३२२-६॥
Then, the son of Parameṣṭhin, having been sent forth, worshipped that ancient sage and, endowed with great speed, ascended into the sky; from there, he suddenly descended upon Mount Meru. (3-322-6)
तत्रावतस्थे च मुनिर्मुहूर्त; मेकान्तमासाद्य गिरेः स शृङ्गे। आलोकयन्नुत्तरपश्चिमेन; ददर्श चात्यद्भुतरूपयुक्तम् ॥३-३२२-७॥
There, the sage stood for a moment; having reached a solitary place on the mountain's peak, he looked towards the northwest and saw something endowed with a most wonderful form. (3-322-7)
क्षीरोदधेरुत्तरतो हि द्वीपः; श्वेतः स नाम्ना प्रथितो विशालः। मेरोः सहस्रैः स हि योजनानां; द्वात्रिंशतोर्ध्वं कविभिर्निरुक्तः ॥३-३२२-८॥
To the north of the ocean of milk, there is indeed a vast island; it is well-known by the name 'Śveta' (White). It is described by sages as being thirty-two thousand yojanas above Mount Meru. (3-322-8)
अतीन्द्रियाश्चानशनाश्च तत्र; निष्पन्दहीनाः सुसुगन्धिनश्च। श्वेताः पुमांसो गतसर्वपापा; श्चक्षुर्मुषः पापकृतां नराणाम् ॥३-३२२-९॥
There, those who are beyond the senses and do not eat, who are motionless and very fragrant, white men who have shed all sins, are the stealers of sight from sinful men. (3-322-9)
वज्रास्थिकायाः सममानोन्माना; दिव्यान्वयरूपाः शुभसारोपेताः। छत्राकृतिशीर्षा मेघौघनिनादाः; सत्पुष्करचतुष्का राजीवशतपादाः ॥३-३२२-१०॥
Their bones were as hard as diamond, their height and proportions equal; they possessed divine lineage and form, were endowed with auspicious essence, had umbrella-shaped heads, voices like the rumbling of clouds, four true lotuses, and a hundred lotus-like feet. (3-322-10)
षष्ट्या दन्तैर्युक्ताः शुक्लै; रष्टाभिर्दंष्ट्राभिर्ये। जिह्वाभिर्ये विष्वग्वक्त्रं; लेलिह्यन्ते सूर्यप्रख्यम् ॥३-३२२-११॥
Those who are endowed with sixty white teeth, with tusks and fangs; who, with tongues, are licking all around the sun-like mouth. (3-322-11)
भक्त्या देवं विश्वोत्पन्नं; यस्मात्सर्वे लोकाः सूताः। वेदा धर्मा मुनयः शान्ता; देवाः सर्वे तस्य विसर्गाः ॥३-३२२-१२॥
By devotion, the god who is the origin of the universe, from whom all worlds are born. The Vedas, dharmas, sages, the peaceful ones, and all the gods are his emanations. (3-322-12)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
अतीन्द्रिया निराहारा अनिष्पन्दाः सुगन्धिनः। कथं ते पुरुषा जाताः का तेषां गतिरुत्तमा ॥३-३२२-१३॥
Those men who are beyond the senses, without food, motionless, and fragrant—how were they born, and what is their highest state? (3-322-13)
ये विमुक्ता भवन्तीह नरा भरतसत्तम। तेषां लक्षणमेतद्धि यच्छ्वेतद्वीपवासिनाम् ॥३-३२२-१४॥
O best of the Bharatas, those men who are liberated here—their characteristic is indeed this, which belongs to the inhabitants of Śvetadvīpa. (3-322-14)
तस्मान्मे संशयं छिन्धि परं कौतूहलं हि मे। त्वं हि सर्वकथारामस्त्वां चैवोपाश्रिता वयम् ॥३-३२२-१५॥
Therefore, dispel my doubt and my supreme curiosity. You are indeed the delighter in all stories; we have indeed taken refuge in you. (3-322-15)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
विस्तीर्णैषा कथा राजञ्श्रुता मे पितृसंनिधौ। सैषा तव हि वक्तव्या कथासारो हि स स्मृतः ॥३-३२२-१६॥
O king, this elaborate story was heard by me in my father's presence; now, this very story must be told to you, for the essence of the story is what is remembered. (3-322-16)
राजोपरिचरो नाम बभूवाधिपतिर्भुवः। आखण्डलसखः ख्यातो भक्तो नारायणं हरिम् ॥३-३२२-१७॥
There was a king named Uparicara, who became the lord of the earth. He was known as the friend of Ākhaṇḍala (Indra), and was famous as a devotee of Nārāyaṇa, Hari. (3-322-17)
धार्मिको नित्यभक्तश्च पितॄन्नित्यमतन्द्रितः। साम्राज्यं तेन सम्प्राप्तं नारायणवरात्पुरा ॥३-३२२-१८॥
He, being righteous, ever-devoted, and always untiring in his worship of the ancestors, formerly attained sovereignty by the boon of Nārāyaṇa. (3-322-18)
सात्वतं विधिमास्थाय प्राक्सूर्यमुखनिःसृतम्। पूजयामास देवेशं तच्छेषेण पितामहान् ॥३-३२२-१९॥
Having adopted the sātvata procedure, before it emerged from the mouth of the sun, he worshipped the lord of the gods; with the remainder, he worshipped the grandfathers. (3-322-19)
पितृशेषेण विप्रांश्च संविभज्याश्रितांश्च सः। शेषान्नभुक्सत्यपरः सर्वभूतेष्वहिंसकः ॥ सर्वभावेन भक्तः स देवदेवं जनार्दनम् ॥३-३२२-२०॥
After distributing the ancestral remnants to Brāhmaṇas and dependents, he eats the remaining food, is devoted to truth, and is non-violent towards all beings. With all his heart, he is devoted to the god of gods, Janārdana. (3-322-20)
तस्य नारायणे भक्तिं वहतोऽमित्रकर्शन। एकशय्यासनं शक्रो दत्तवान्देवराट्स्वयम् ॥३-३२२-२१॥
O tormentor of enemies, Śakra (Indra), the king of the gods, himself gave a single bed and seat to him who bore devotion to Nārāyaṇa. (3-322-21)
आत्मा राज्यं धनं चैव कलत्रं वाहनानि च। एतद्भगवते सर्वमिति तत्प्रेक्षितं सदा ॥३-३२२-२२॥
One should always regard the self, kingdom, wealth, wife, and vehicles—all of this—as belonging to the Lord. (3-322-22)
काम्यनैमित्तिकाजस्रं यज्ञियाः परमक्रियाः। सर्वाः सात्वतमास्थाय विधिं चक्रे समाहितः ॥३-३२२-२३॥
He, being concentrated, performed all the supreme sacrificial acts—desired, occasional, and unceasing—having adopted the Sātvata procedure. (3-322-23)
पञ्चरात्रविदो मुख्यास्तस्य गेहे महात्मनः। प्रायणं भगवत्प्रोक्तं भुञ्जते चाग्रभोजनम् ॥३-३२२-२४॥
The chief Pañcarātra experts, in the house of that great soul, partake of the farewell meal prescribed by the Lord and also the first food. (3-322-24)
तस्य प्रशासतो राज्यं धर्मेणामित्रघातिनः। नानृता वाक्समभवन्मनो दुष्टं न चाभवत् ॥ न च कायेन कृतवान्स पापं परमण्वपि ॥३-३२२-२५॥
While he, the destroyer of enemies, ruled the kingdom by righteousness, no false speech arose, nor did his mind become evil; nor did he commit even the smallest sin by his body. (3-322-25)
ये हि ते मुनयः ख्याताः सप्त चित्रशिखण्डिनः। तैरेकमतिभिर्भूत्वा यत्प्रोक्तं शास्त्रमुत्तमम् ॥३-३२२-२६॥
Those seven sages, who are indeed famous and have variegated crests, having become united in mind, declared the supreme treatise. (3-322-26)
मरीचिरत्र्यङ्गिरसौ पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः। वसिष्ठश्च महातेजा एते चित्रशिखण्डिनः ॥३-३२२-२७॥
Marīci, Atri and Aṅgiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and the greatly powerful Vasiṣṭha—these are the ones with varied crests. (3-322-27)
सप्त प्रकृतयो ह्येतास्तथा स्वायम्भुवोऽष्टमः। एताभिर्धार्यते लोकस्ताभ्यः शास्त्रं विनिःसृतम् ॥३-३२२-२८॥
These are the seven natures, and the eighth is the Svayambhu. By these, the world is supported, and from them, the treatise has issued forth. (3-322-28)
एकाग्रमनसो दान्ता मुनयः संयमे रताः। इदं श्रेय इदं ब्रह्म इदं हितमनुत्तमम् ॥ लोकान्सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा ततः शास्त्रं प्रचक्रिरे ॥३-३२२-२९॥
The sages, possessing single-pointed minds and self-restraint, devoted to self-control, declared: "This is the highest good, this is Brahman, this is the supreme benefit." After contemplating the worlds with their minds, they then composed the treatise. (3-322-29)
तत्र धर्मार्थकामा हि मोक्षः पश्चाच्च कीर्तितः। मर्यादा विविधाश्चैव दिवि भूमौ च संस्थिताः ॥३-३२२-३०॥
There, dharma, artha, and kāma are indeed (taught); liberation is declared afterwards; and various boundaries are established both in heaven and on earth. (3-322-30)
आराध्य तपसा देवं हरिं नारायणं प्रभुम्। दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं वै सर्वे ते ऋषिभिः सह ॥३-३२२-३१॥
All of them, together with the sages, worshipped the god Hari Nārāyaṇa, the lord, by austerity for a divine thousand years. (3-322-31)
नारायणानुशास्ता हि तदा देवी सरस्वती। विवेश तानृषीन्सर्वाँल्लोकानां हितकाम्यया ॥३-३२२-३२॥
Then, the goddess Sarasvatī, the instructor of Nārāyaṇa, indeed entered all those sages with the desire for the welfare of the worlds. (3-322-32)
ततः प्रवर्तिता सम्यक्तपोविद्भिर्द्विजातिभिः। शब्दे चार्थे च हेतौ च एषा प्रथमसर्गजा ॥३-३२२-३३॥
From that time, this (language) born of the first creation was properly set in motion by the twice-born knowers of austerity, in word, in meaning, and in cause. (3-322-33)
आदावेव हि तच्छास्त्रमोङ्कारस्वरभूषितम्। ऋषिभिर्भावितं तत्र यत्र कारुणिको ह्यसौ ॥३-३२२-३४॥
In the very beginning, that treatise, adorned with the sound of Om and contemplated by sages, is found there where the compassionate one resides. (3-322-34)
ततः प्रसन्नो भगवाननिर्दिष्टशरीरगः। ऋषीनुवाच तान्सर्वानदृश्यः पुरुषोत्तमः ॥३-३२२-३५॥
Then, the pleased Lord, the Supreme Person of unmanifested form, unseen, spoke to all those sages. (3-322-35)
कृतं शतसहस्रं हि श्लोकानामिदमुत्तमम्। लोकतन्त्रस्य कृत्स्नस्य यस्माद्धर्मः प्रवर्तते ॥३-३२२-३६॥
Indeed, one hundred thousand verses have been composed; this is the best, from which the dharma of the entire world-system arises. (3-322-36)
प्रवृत्तौ च निवृत्तौ च योनिरेतद्भविष्यति। ऋग्यजुःसामभिर्जुष्टमथर्वाङ्गिरसैस्तथा ॥३-३२२-३७॥
This will be the source both in activity and in cessation, endowed with the Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma Vedas, as well as with the Atharvāṅgiras. (3-322-37)
तथा प्रमाणं हि मया कृतो ब्रह्मा प्रसादजः। रुद्रश्च क्रोधजो विप्रा यूयं प्रकृतयस्तथा ॥३-३२२-३८॥
Thus, indeed, as authority, Brahmā was created by me, born of grace; Rudra, born of anger; and you Brāhmaṇas, you are also of such natures. (3-322-38)
सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ वायुर्भूमिरापोऽग्निरेव च। सर्वे च नक्षत्रगणा यच्च भूताभिशब्दितम् ॥३-३२२-३९॥
The sun, the two moons, wind, earth, waters, fire indeed, and all the groups of stars, and whatever is called by beings. (3-322-39)
अधिकारेषु वर्तन्ते यथास्वं ब्रह्मवादिनः। सर्वे प्रमाणं हि यथा तथैतच्छास्त्रमुत्तमम् ॥३-३२२-४०॥
The expounders of Brahman occupy their respective positions of authority. For all, this scripture is indeed the highest authority. (3-322-40)
भविष्यति प्रमाणं वै एतन्मदनुशासनम्। अस्मात्प्रवक्ष्यते धर्मान्मनुः स्वायम्भुवः स्वयम् ॥३-३२२-४१॥
This instruction of mine will indeed become the authority. From this, Manu, the descendant of Svayambhū, himself declares the dharmas. (3-322-41)
उशना बृहस्पतिश्चैव यदोत्पन्नौ भविष्यतः। तदा प्रवक्ष्यतः शास्त्रं युष्मन्मतिभिरुद्धृतम् ॥३-३२२-४२॥
When Uśanā and Bṛhaspati are born in the future, then they will declare the treatise that has been brought forth by your intellects. (3-322-42)
स्वायम्भुवेषु धर्मेषु शास्त्रे चोशनसा कृते। बृहस्पतिमते चैव लोकेषु प्रविचारिते ॥३-३२२-४३॥
Having examined the codes of Manu, the dharmas, the śāstra, the treatise composed by Uśanas, and the doctrine of Bṛhaspati in the worlds, (3-322-43)
युष्मत्कृतमिदं शास्त्रं प्रजापालो वसुस्ततः। बृहस्पतिसकाशाद्वै प्राप्स्यते द्विजसत्तमाः ॥३-३२२-४४॥
O best of the twice-born, this treatise made by you will be received by King Vasu, the protector of the people, from Bṛhaspati. (3-322-44)
स हि मद्भावितो राजा मद्भक्तश्च भविष्यति। तेन शास्त्रेण लोकेषु क्रियाः सर्वाः करिष्यति ॥३-३२२-४५॥
He, indeed, honored by me, will become a king devoted to me. By him, all actions in the worlds will be performed according to the śāstra. (3-322-45)
एतद्धि सर्वशास्त्राणां शास्त्रमुत्तमसञ्ज्ञितम्। एतदर्थ्यं च धर्म्यं च यशस्यं चैतदुत्तमम् ॥३-३२२-४६॥
Indeed, among all treatises, this is regarded as the highest; it is purposeful, righteous, and glorious, and it is the best. (3-322-46)
अस्य प्रवर्तनाच्चैव प्रजावन्तो भविष्यथ। स च राजा श्रिया युक्तो भविष्यति महान्वसुः ॥३-३२२-४७॥
By this instigation, you will indeed become those possessing offspring. And that king, endowed with prosperity, will become greatly wealthy. (3-322-47)
संस्थिते तु नृपे तस्मिञ्शास्त्रमेतत्सनातनम्। अन्तर्धास्यति तत्सत्यमेतद्वः कथितं मया ॥३-३२२-४८॥
But when the king is established, this eternal treatise will disappear in that time; this is the truth, this has been told to you by me. (3-322-48)
एतावदुक्त्वा वचनमदृश्यः पुरुषोत्तमः। विसृज्य तानृषीन्सर्वान्कामपि प्रस्थितो दिशम् ॥३-३२२-४९॥
Having spoken thus, the supreme person became invisible; leaving all those sages, he departed in some direction. (3-322-49)
ततस्ते लोकपितरः सर्वलोकार्थचिन्तकाः। प्रावर्तयन्त तच्छास्त्रं धर्मयोनिं सनातनम् ॥३-३२२-५०॥
Then those progenitors of the worlds, who care for the welfare of all beings, established that treatise, the eternal source of dharma. (3-322-50)
उत्पन्नेऽऽङ्गिरसे चैव युगे प्रथमकल्पिते। साङ्गोपनिषदं शास्त्रं स्थापयित्वा बृहस्पतौ ॥३-३२२-५१॥
When the Aṅgiras age first arose, having established the treatise complete with its limbs and Upaniṣads in Bṛhaspati. (3-322-51)
जग्मुर्यथेप्सितं देशं तपसे कृतनिश्चयाः। धारणात्सर्वलोकानां सर्वधर्मप्रवर्तकाः ॥३-३२२-५२॥
Having firmly resolved, they went to the place of their choice for austerities; sustaining all worlds, they were the promoters of all dharmas. (3-322-52)
