12.340
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
धर्माः पितामहेनोक्ता मोक्षधर्माश्रिताः शुभाः। धर्ममाश्रमिणां श्रेष्ठं वक्तुमर्हति मे भवान् ॥१२-३४०-१॥
The auspicious duties spoken by the grandsire, which are based on the duties leading to liberation; you are worthy to tell me the best duty of the dwellers in the āśrama. (12-340-1)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
सर्वत्र विहितो धर्मः स्वर्ग्यः सत्यफलोदयः। बहुद्वारस्य धर्मस्य नेहास्ति विफला क्रिया ॥१२-३४०-२॥
Duty, enjoined everywhere, leads to heaven and brings about true results. For the many-doored duty, here there is no fruitless action. (12-340-2)
यस्मिन्यस्मिंस्तु विषये यो यो याति विनिश्चयम्। स तमेवाभिजानाति नान्यं भरतसत्तम ॥१२-३४०-३॥
O best of the Bharatas, in whichever matter a person attains certainty, he knows only that and not another. (12-340-3)
अपि च त्वं नरव्याघ्र श्रोतुमर्हसि मे कथाम्। पुरा शक्रस्य कथितां नारदेन सुरर्षिणा ॥१२-३४०-४॥
And indeed, O tiger among men, you are worthy to hear from me the story that was formerly told to Śakra by Nārada, the sage of the gods. (12-340-4)
सुरर्षिर्नारदो राजन्सिद्धस्त्रैलोक्यसंमतः। पर्येति क्रमशो लोकान्वायुरव्याहतो यथा ॥१२-३४०-५॥
O king, the divine sage Nārada, a perfected being respected throughout the three worlds, moves freely among the worlds in order, just like the unobstructed wind. (12-340-5)
स कदाचिन्महेष्वास देवराजालयं गतः। सत्कृतश्च महेन्द्रेण प्रत्यासन्नगतोऽभवत् ॥१२-३४०-६॥
Once, he, the great archer, went to the abode of the king of gods. There, having approached, he was honored by Mahendra. (12-340-6)
तं कृतक्षणमासीनं पर्यपृच्छच्छचीपतिः। ब्रह्मर्षे किञ्चिदाश्चर्यमस्ति दृष्टं त्वयानघ ॥१२-३४०-७॥
The lord of Śacī (Indra) asked him, who was seated after performing the rite: "O Brahmarṣi, O sinless one, have you seen anything wonderful?" (12-340-7)
यथा त्वमपि विप्रर्षे त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्। जातकौतूहलो नित्यं सिद्धश्चरसि साक्षिवत् ॥१२-३४०-८॥
Just as you, O sage among Brāhmaṇas, always roam the three worlds of moving and unmoving beings, ever curious and accomplished, like a witness. (12-340-8)
न ह्यस्त्यविदितं लोके देवर्षे तव किञ्चन। श्रुतं वाप्यनुभूतं वा दृष्टं वा कथयस्व मे ॥१२-३४०-९॥
O sage among the gods, there is nothing in the world unknown to you; whether it is heard, experienced, or seen, please tell me about it. (12-340-9)
तस्मै राजन्सुरेन्द्राय नारदो वदतां वरः। आसीनायोपपन्नाय प्रोक्तवान्विपुलां कथाम् ॥१२-३४०-१०॥
O king, to the lord of the gods, Nārada, the best of speakers, while he was seated and deserving, narrated an extensive story. (12-340-10)
यथा येन च कल्पेन स तस्मै द्विजसत्तमः। कथां कथितवान्पृष्टस्तथा त्वमपि मे शृणु ॥१२-३४०-११॥
Just as the best of the twice-born told the story by the method he was asked, so now you also listen to me. (12-340-11)
