13.112
संसारचक्रम्
The wheel of saṁsāra (the cycle of birth and death);
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
पितामह महाबाहो सर्वशास्त्रविशारद। श्रोतुमिच्छामि मर्त्यानां संसारविधिमुत्तमम् ॥१३-११२-१॥
O Grandfather, mighty-armed one versed in all the scriptures, I wish to hear from you the supreme law of the world's existence pertaining to mortals. (13-112-1)
केन वृत्तेन राजेन्द्र वर्तमाना नरा युधि। प्राप्नुवन्त्युत्तमं स्वर्गं कथं च नरकं नृप ॥१३-११२-२॥
O king, by what conduct do men living in battle attain the highest heaven, and how do they reach hell, O king? (13-112-2)
मृतं शरीरमुत्सृज्य काष्ठलोष्टसमं जनाः। प्रयान्त्यमुं लोकमितः को वै ताननुगच्छति ॥१३-११२-३॥
Abandoning the dead body, which is no different from a piece of wood or a clod, people depart from here to that other world; who indeed follows them? (13-112-3)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
असावायाति भगवान्बृहस्पतिरुदारधीः। पृच्छैनं सुमहाभागमेतद्गुह्यं सनातनम् ॥१३-११२-४॥
Here comes the venerable Bṛhaspati, noble in intellect. Ask him, greatly fortunate one, about this eternal secret. (13-112-4)
नैतदन्येन शक्यं हि वक्तुं केनचिदद्य वै। वक्ता बृहस्पतिसमो न ह्यन्यो विद्यते क्वचित् ॥१३-११२-५॥
Indeed, no one else is able to speak this today; there is no other speaker anywhere equal to Bṛhaspati. (13-112-5)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
तयोः संवदतोरेवं पार्थगाङ्गेययोस्तदा। आजगाम विशुद्धात्मा भगवान्स बृहस्पतिः ॥१३-११२-६॥
As Pārtha and Gāṅgeya were thus conversing, then the Venerable Bṛhaspati, of purified soul, approached them. (13-112-6)
ततो राजा समुत्थाय धृतराष्ट्रपुरोगमः। पूजामनुपमां चक्रे सर्वे ते च सभासदः ॥१३-११२-७॥
Then the king, accompanied by Dhritarashtra, rose and, along with all the assembly members, offered unparalleled honor. (13-112-7)
ततो धर्मसुतो राजा भगवन्तं बृहस्पतिम्। उपगम्य यथान्यायं प्रश्नं पप्रच्छ सुव्रतः ॥१३-११२-८॥
Then the king, son of Dharma, of excellent vows, approached the Venerable Bṛhaspati in proper manner and asked a question. (13-112-8)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said.
भगवन्सर्वधर्मज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद। मर्त्यस्य कः सहायो वै पिता माता सुतो गुरुः ॥१३-११२-९॥
O Lord, knower of all dharmas and all treatises, who indeed is truly the helper of a mortal—father, mother, son, or teacher? (13-112-9)
मृतं शरीरमुत्सृज्य काष्ठलोष्टसमं जनाः। गच्छन्त्यमुत्रलोकं वै क एनमनुगच्छति ॥१३-११२-१०॥
Having left the dead body, which is regarded as no different from wood or a lump of clay, people go to the other world indeed. Who then follows him? (13-112-10)
बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥
Bṛhaspati said.
एकः प्रसूतो राजेन्द्र जन्तुरेको विनश्यति। एकस्तरति दुर्गाणि गच्छत्येकश्च दुर्गतिम् ॥१३-११२-११॥
O king, a living being is born alone and alone perishes; one crosses hardships alone, and alone reaches misfortune. (13-112-11)
असहायः पिता माता तथा भ्राता सुतो गुरुः। ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिवर्गश्च मित्रवर्गस्तथैव च ॥१३-११२-१२॥
The helpless, as well as the father, mother, brother, son, teacher, group of relatives and connections, and the group of friends likewise. (13-112-12)
मृतं शरीरमुत्सृज्य काष्ठलोष्टसमं जनाः। मुहूर्तमुपतिष्ठन्ति ततो यान्ति पराङ्मुखाः ॥ तैस्तच्छरीरमुत्सृष्टं धर्म एकोऽनुगच्छति ॥१३-११२-१३॥
People, having abandoned the dead body that is like wood or a clod, stand by for a moment, then turn away and depart. Dharma alone follows the body that has been thus left behind by them. (13-112-13)
तस्माद्धर्मः सहायार्थे सेवितव्यः सदा नृभिः। प्राणी धर्मसमायुक्तो गच्छते स्वर्गतिं पराम् ॥ तथैवाधर्मसंयुक्तो नरकायोपपद्यते ॥१३-११२-१४॥
Therefore, righteousness should always be practiced by men to help others. He who is endowed with righteousness attains the highest heaven; conversely, one united with unrighteousness goes to hell. (13-112-14)
तस्मान्न्यायागतैरर्थैर्धर्मं सेवेत पण्डितः। धर्म एको मनुष्याणां सहायः पारलौकिकः ॥१३-११२-१५॥
Therefore, a wise person should follow dharma using wealth acquired by just means; for dharma alone is the true companion of humans in the world beyond. (13-112-15)
लोभान्मोहादनुक्रोशाद्भयाद्वाप्यबहुश्रुतः। नरः करोत्यकार्याणि परार्थे लोभमोहितः ॥१३-११२-१६॥
Due to greed, delusion, compassion, or fear, or even if he is not well-learned, a man, deluded by greed, performs improper acts for the sake of another. (13-112-16)
धर्मश्चार्थश्च कामश्च त्रितयं जीविते फलम्। एतत्त्रयमवाप्तव्यमधर्मपरिवर्जितम् ॥१३-११२-१७॥
Righteousness, wealth, and desire are the threefold fruits of life. These three are to be attained by avoiding unrighteousness. (13-112-17)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
श्रुतं भगवतो वाक्यं धर्मयुक्तं परं हितम्। शरीरविचयं ज्ञातुं बुद्धिस्तु मम जायते ॥१३-११२-१८॥
I have heard the venerable's words, which are endowed with dharma and are supremely beneficial; but my mind now arises with the desire to know the discrimination of the body. (13-112-18)
मृतं शरीररहितं सूक्ष्ममव्यक्ततां गतम्। अचक्षुर्विषयं प्राप्तं कथं धर्मोऽनुगच्छति ॥१३-११२-१९॥
When one is dead, without a body, subtle, having gone to the unmanifest state and beyond the reach of sight, how does dharma follow (that being)? (13-112-19)
बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥
Bṛhaspati said;
पृथिवी वायुराकाशमापो ज्योतिश्च पञ्चमम्। बुद्धिरात्मा च सहिता धर्मं पश्यन्ति नित्यदा ॥१३-११२-२०॥
Earth, air, space, water, and light—the five; together with intellect and self—always perceive dharma. (13-112-20)
प्राणिनामिह सर्वेषां साक्षिभूतानि चानिशम्। एतैश्च स ह धर्मोऽपि तं जीवमनुगच्छति ॥१३-११२-२१॥
Here, for all living beings, there are always witness-beings; by these, indeed, dharma also follows that soul. (13-112-21)
त्वगस्थिमांसं शुक्रं च शोणितं च महामते। शरीरं वर्जयन्त्येते जीवितेन विवर्जितम् ॥१३-११२-२२॥
O great-minded one, skin, bone, flesh, semen, and blood—these abandon the body when it is deprived of life. (13-112-22)
ततो धर्मसमायुक्तः स जीवः सुखमेधते। इह लोके परे चैव किं भूयः कथयामि ते ॥१३-११२-२३॥
Thus, when endowed with righteousness, the soul prospers in happiness. In this world and in the next, what more need I tell you? (13-112-23)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
अनुदर्शितं भगवता यथा धर्मोऽनुगच्छति। एतत्तु ज्ञातुमिच्छामि कथं रेतः प्रवर्तते ॥१३-११२-२४॥
The Lord has demonstrated how dharma proceeds; but this I wish to know: how does seed originate? (13-112-24)
बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥
Bṛhaspati said.
अन्नमश्नन्ति ये देवाः शरीरस्था नरेश्वर। पृथिवी वायुराकाशमापो ज्योतिर्मनस्तथा ॥१३-११२-२५॥
O lord of men, the deities who reside in the body—earth, air, space, water, light, and mind—eat the food as well. (13-112-25)
ततस्तृप्तेषु राजेन्द्र तेषु भूतेषु पञ्चसु। मनःषष्ठेषु शुद्धात्मन्रेतः सम्पद्यते महत् ॥१३-११२-२६॥
Then, O chief of kings, when the five elements are satisfied, in one whose self is purified, the great seed (semen) arises among the five elements and mind as the sixth. (13-112-26)
ततो गर्भः सम्भवति स्त्रीपुंसोः पार्थ सङ्गमे। एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥१३-११२-२७॥
Then, O Partha, upon the union of woman and man, an embryo arises. All this has been related to you; what more do you wish to hear? (13-112-27)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said.
आख्यातमेतद्भवता गर्भः सञ्जायते यथा। यथा जातस्तु पुरुषः प्रपद्यति तदुच्यताम् ॥१३-११२-२८॥
You have explained how the embryo arises; now tell how, when a person is born, he enters (into the world or into life). (13-112-28)
बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥
Bṛhaspati said.
आसन्नमात्रः सततं तैर्भूतैरभिभूयते। विप्रमुक्तश्च तैर्भूतैः पुनर्यात्यपरां गतिम् ॥ स तु भूतसमायुक्तः प्राप्नुते जीव एव ह ॥१३-११२-२९॥
He who has merely approached is always overpowered by those elements; but when thoroughly released from them, he again goes to another state. But he, united with the elements, indeed attains only the state of the jīva. (13-112-29)
ततोऽस्य कर्म पश्यन्ति शुभं वा यदि वाशुभम्। देवताः पञ्चभूतस्थाः किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥१३-११२-३०॥
Then the deities residing in the five elements see his actions, whether auspicious or inauspicious; what more do you desire to hear? (13-112-30)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhisthira said.
त्वगस्थिमांसमुत्सृज्य तैश्च भूतैर्विवर्जितः। जीवः स भगवन्क्वस्थः सुखदुःखे समश्नुते ॥१३-११२-३१॥
O Lord, having abandoned the skin, bones, and flesh and thus separated from those elements, where does that living being reside, and how does he experience pleasure and pain equally? (13-112-31)
बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥
Bṛhaspati said.
जीवो धर्मसमायुक्तः शीघ्रं रेतस्त्वमागतः। स्त्रीणां पुष्पं समासाद्य सूते कालेन भारत ॥१३-११२-३२॥
O Bhārata, the living being, endowed with dharma, quickly comes to the form of seed; on attaining the fertility (flower) of women, gives birth in due time. (13-112-32)
यमस्य पुरुषैः क्लेशं यमस्य पुरुषैर्वधम्। दुःखं संसारचक्रं च नरः क्लेशं च विन्दति ॥१३-११२-३३॥
The man suffers pain and death at the hands of Yama's servants, and experiences suffering and the cycle of worldly existence. (13-112-33)
इहलोके च स प्राणी जन्मप्रभृति पार्थिव। स्वकृतं कर्म वै भुङ्क्ते धर्मस्य फलमाश्रितः ॥१३-११२-३४॥
O King, in this world, every living being from birth onward indeed experiences the results (fruits) of his own actions, being dependent on the fruit of righteousness. (13-112-34)
यदि धर्मं यथाशक्ति जन्मप्रभृति सेवते। ततः स पुरुषो भूत्वा सेवते नित्यदा सुखम् ॥१३-११२-३५॥
If a person serves duty to the best of his ability from birth onwards, then having become a true man, he always enjoys happiness. (13-112-35)
अथान्तरा तु धर्मस्य अधर्ममुपसेवते। सुखस्यानन्तरं दुःखं स जीवोऽप्यधिगच्छति ॥१३-११२-३६॥
Now, in the midst of righteousness, if one engages in unrighteousness, after happiness that living being also attains suffering. (13-112-36)
अधर्मेण समायुक्तो यमस्य विषयं गतः। महद्दुःखं समासाद्य तिर्यग्योनौ प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-३७॥
One joined with unrighteousness, having reached the domain of Yama and experienced great suffering, is born in the womb of animals. (13-112-37)
कर्मणा येन येनेह यस्यां योनौ प्रजायते। जीवो मोहसमायुक्तस्तन्मे निगदतः शृणु ॥१३-११२-३८॥
Listen as I describe to you that by which action, here, the living being endowed with delusion is born in whatever womb. (13-112-38)
यदेतदुच्यते शास्त्रे सेतिहासे सच्छन्दसि। यमस्य विषयं घोरं मर्त्यो लोकः प्रपद्यते ॥१३-११२-३९॥
That which is spoken in the śāstra, itihāsa, and chandas, a mortal attains the terrible domain of Yama—the world of the dead. (13-112-39)
अधीत्य चतुरो वेदान्द्विजो मोहसमन्वितः। पतितात्प्रतिगृह्याथ खरयोनौ प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-४०॥
If a Brahmin, after studying the four Vedas, acts under delusion and accepts gifts from a fallen person, he is reborn in the form of a donkey. (13-112-40)
खरो जीवति वर्षाणि दश पञ्च च भारत। खरो मृतो बलीवर्दः सप्त वर्षाणि जीवति ॥१३-११२-४१॥
O Bhārata, a donkey lives fifteen years; when the donkey dies, the bullock lives for seven years. (13-112-41)
बलीवर्दो मृतश्चापि जायते ब्रह्मराक्षसः। ब्रह्मरक्षस्तु त्रीन्मासांस्ततो जायति ब्राह्मणः ॥१३-११२-४२॥
A bullock, even after death, is born as a brahmarakshasa; but the brahmarakshasa, after three months, is then born as a brāhmaṇa. (13-112-42)
पतितं याजयित्वा तु कृमियोनौ प्रजायते। तत्र जीवति वर्षाणि दश पञ्च च भारत ॥१३-११२-४३॥
But after causing the fallen person to be sacrificed, he is born in the womb of a worm and there he lives for fifteen years, O Bhārata. (13-112-43)
कृमिभावात्प्रमुक्तस्तु ततो जायति गर्दभः। गर्दभः पञ्च वर्षाणि पञ्च वर्षाणि सूकरः ॥ श्वा वर्षमेकं भवति ततो जायति मानवः ॥१३-११२-४४॥
After being released from the state of a worm, one is then born as a donkey. The donkey lives five years, then for five years as a pig, then as a dog for one year, and thereafter is born as a human being. (13-112-44)
उपाध्यायस्य यः पापं शिष्यः कुर्यादबुद्धिमान्। स जीव इह संसारांस्त्रीनाप्नोति न संशयः ॥१३-११२-४५॥
The unintelligent disciple who commits a sin against the teacher—he, indeed, here attains three cycles of existence; there is no doubt about this. (13-112-45)
प्राक्ष्वा भवति राजेन्द्र ततः क्रव्यात्ततः खरः। ततः प्रेतः परिक्लिष्टः पश्चाज्जायति ब्राह्मणः ॥१३-११२-४६॥
O king, one who formerly ate flesh then becomes an eater of raw flesh, then an ass, later a tormented spirit, and only afterwards is born as a brāhmaṇa. (13-112-46)
मनसापि गुरोर्भार्यां यः शिष्यो याति पापकृत्। सोऽधमान्याति संसारानधर्मेणेह चेतसा ॥१३-११२-४७॥
Even if a student only approaches his teacher’s wife in his mind, committing evil, he falls to the lowest cycles of existence due to unrighteousness of mind here. (13-112-47)
श्वयोनौ तु स सम्भूतस्त्रीणि वर्षाणि जीवति। तत्रापि निधनं प्राप्तः कृमियोनौ प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-४८॥
But having been born in the dog womb, he lives for three years. There too, upon reaching death, he is born in the worm womb. (13-112-48)
कृमिभावमनुप्राप्तो वर्षमेकं स जीवति। ततस्तु निधनं प्राप्य ब्रह्मयोनौ प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-४९॥
Having taken the form of a worm, he lives for one year. Then, after dying, he is born in the womb of Brahmā. (13-112-49)
यदि पुत्रसमं शिष्यं गुरुर्हन्यादकारणे। आत्मनः कामकारेण सोऽपि हंसः प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-५०॥
If a teacher should kill a disciple who is like his own son without reason, acting out of his own desire, he too is born as a swan. (13-112-50)
पितरं मातरं वापि यस्तु पुत्रोऽवमन्यते। सोऽपि राजन्मृतो जन्तुः पूर्वं जायति गर्दभः ॥१३-११२-५१॥
O king, whichever son despises either his father or mother, even after death, that creature is first born as a donkey. (13-112-51)
खरो जीवति मासांस्तु दश श्वा च चतुर्दश। बिडालः सप्त मासांस्तु ततो जायति मानवः ॥१३-११२-५२॥
The ass remains in the womb for ten months, the dog for fourteen, the cat for seven months, and after that a human is born. (13-112-52)
मातापितरमाक्रुश्य सारिकः सम्प्रजायते। ताडयित्वा तु तावेव जायते कच्छपो नृप ॥१३-११२-५३॥
O king, the myna bird is born after calling out to its mother and father, but the turtle is born after beating both of them. (13-112-53)
कच्छपो दश वर्षाणि त्रीणि वर्षाणि शल्यकः। व्यालो भूत्वा तु षण्मासांस्ततो जायति मानुषः ॥१३-११२-५४॥
After being a tortoise for ten years and a porcupine for three years, and then a serpent for six months, one is then born as a human. (13-112-54)
भर्तृपिण्डमुपाश्नन्यो राजद्विष्टानि सेवते। सोऽपि मोहसमापन्नो मृतो जायति वानरः ॥१३-११२-५५॥
He who, while eating the funeral cake for his master, engages with things hated by the king—he too, being afflicted by delusion, is born as a monkey after death. (13-112-55)
वानरो दश वर्षाणि त्रीणि वर्षाणि मूषकः। श्वा भूत्वा चाथ षण्मासांस्ततो जायति मानुषः ॥१३-११२-५६॥
A monkey for ten years, a mouse for three years, after becoming a dog and then for six months, thereafter he is born a human. (13-112-56)
न्यासापहर्ता तु नरो यमस्य विषयं गतः। संसाराणां शतं गत्वा कृमियोनौ प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-५७॥
But the man who steals sacred trust, having gone to the domain of Yama and after passing through a hundred cycles of rebirth, is born in the womb of worms. (13-112-57)
तत्र जीवति वर्षाणि दश पञ्च च भारत। दुष्कृतस्य क्षयं गत्वा ततो जायति मानुषः ॥१३-११२-५८॥
There, O Bhārata, one lives for fifteen years; after the destruction of evil deeds, then a human is born. (13-112-58)
असूयको नरश्चापि मृतो जायति शार्ङ्गकः। विश्वासहर्ता तु नरो मीनो जायति दुर्मतिः ॥१३-११२-५९॥
An envious man, after death, is born as a stork. A man who destroys trust, but of evil intellect, is born as a fish. (13-112-59)
भूत्वा मीनोऽष्ट वर्षाणि मृगो जायति भारत। मृगस्तु चतुरो मासांस्ततश्छागः प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-६०॥
O Bhārata, after being a fish for eight years, one is born as a deer; but the deer remains for four months, and then a goat is born. (13-112-60)
छागस्तु निधनं प्राप्य पूर्णे संवत्सरे ततः। कीटः सञ्जायते जन्तुस्ततो जायति मानुषः ॥१३-११२-६१॥
But when a goat attains death, after a year is complete, the being is born as an insect; then, that creature is born as a human. (13-112-61)
धान्यान्यवांस्तिलान्माषान्कुलत्थान्सर्षपांश्चणान्। कलायानथ मुद्गांश्च गोधूमानतसीस्तथा ॥१३-११२-६२॥
Grains—barley, sesame, black gram, horse gram, mustard, chickpeas, pigeon peas, green gram, wheat, and also linseed. (13-112-62)
सस्यस्यान्यस्य हर्ता च मोहाज्जन्तुरचेतनः। स जायते महाराज मूषको निरपत्रपः ॥१३-११२-६३॥
O great king, the unconscious creature who, from delusion, is a shameless thief of another's grain, is born as a mouse. (13-112-63)
ततः प्रेत्य महाराज पुनर्जायति सूकरः। सूकरो जातमात्रस्तु रोगेण म्रियते नृप ॥१३-११२-६४॥
Then, O great king, after death he is reborn as a pig; but the pig, immediately after birth, dies of disease, O king. (13-112-64)
श्वा ततो जायते मूढः कर्मणा तेन पार्थिव। श्वा भूत्वा पञ्च वर्षाणि ततो जायति मानुषः ॥१३-११२-६५॥
O king, by those actions, the deluded one is born as a dog; having been a dog for five years, then he is born as a human. (13-112-65)
परदाराभिमर्शं तु कृत्वा जायति वै वृकः। श्वा सृगालस्ततो गृध्रो व्यालः कङ्को बकस्तथा ॥१३-११२-६६॥
But whoever has intercourse with another's wife is indeed born as a wolf; then as a dog, a jackal, a vulture, a serpent, an osprey, and likewise as a crane. (13-112-66)
भ्रातुर्भार्यां तु दुर्बुद्धिर्यो धर्षयति मोहितः। पुंस्कोकिलत्वमाप्नोति सोऽपि संवत्सरं नृप ॥१३-११२-६७॥
O King, but the wicked-minded person who, deluded, commits violence upon his brother's wife, he also attains the state of a male cuckoo for one year. (13-112-67)
सखिभार्यां गुरोर्भार्यां राजभार्यां तथैव च। प्रधर्षयित्वा कामाद्यो मृतो जायति सूकरः ॥१३-११२-६८॥
Whoever, having violated out of desire a friend's wife, teacher's wife, or king's wife, likewise—even after death, is born as a pig. (13-112-68)
सूकरः पञ्च वर्षाणि पञ्च वर्षाणि श्वाविधः। पिपीलकस्तु षण्मासान्कीटः स्यान्मासमेव च ॥ एतानासाद्य संसारान्कृमियोनौ प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-६९॥
A boar lives for five years, a jackal also for five years; an ant lives for six months, and an insect for only a month. After experiencing these cycles of existence, one is born in the womb of worms. (13-112-69)
तत्र जीवति मासांस्तु कृमियोनौ त्रयोदश। ततोऽधर्मक्षयं कृत्वा पुनर्जायति मानुषः ॥१३-११२-७०॥
There, he lives for thirteen months in the womb of a worm; thereafter, having destroyed unrighteousness, he is born again as a human being. (13-112-70)
उपस्थिते विवाहे तु दाने यज्ञेऽपि वाभिभो। मोहात्करोति यो विघ्नं स मृतो जायते कृमिः ॥१३-११२-७१॥
O mighty one, if someone, out of delusion, creates an obstacle at a marriage, a gift, or even a sacrifice while present there, he, after death, is born as a worm. (13-112-71)
कृमिर्जीवति वर्षाणि दश पञ्च च भारत। अधर्मस्य क्षयं कृत्वा ततो जायति मानुषः ॥१३-११२-७२॥
O Bhārata, a worm lives for fifteen years; having destroyed unrighteousness, thereafter it is born as a human. (13-112-72)
पूर्वं दत्त्वा तु यः कन्यां द्वितीये सम्प्रयच्छति। सोऽपि राजन्मृतो जन्तुः कृमियोनौ प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-७३॥
O king, he who, after giving away a maiden once, gives her again to a second (man), such a man, even after death, is reborn as a creature in the womb of a worm. (13-112-73)
तत्र जीवति वर्षाणि त्रयोदश युधिष्ठिर। अधर्मसङ्क्षये युक्तस्ततो जायति मानुषः ॥१३-११२-७४॥
There, Yudhiṣṭhira, he lives for thirteen years. When adharma is destroyed—being thus engaged—then a human being is born. (13-112-74)
देवकार्यमुपाकृत्य पितृकार्यमथापि च। अनिर्वाप्य समश्नन्वै ततो जायति वायसः ॥१३-११२-७५॥
If, after performing the rites for the gods and then the ancestors, one eats without making the proper offering, it is from this that a person is born as a crow. (13-112-75)
वायसो दश वर्षाणि ततो जायति कुक्कुटः। जायते लवकश्चापि मासं तस्मात्तु मानुषः ॥१३-११२-७६॥
A crow lives for ten years, after that a cock is born; a sparrow is also born, and after a month, but a human being is born. (13-112-76)
ज्येष्ठं पितृसमं चापि भ्रातरं योऽवमन्यते। सोऽपि मृत्युमुपागम्य क्रौञ्चयोनौ प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-७७॥
Whoever despises the eldest brother, who is like a father, he too, after death, is born as a crane. (13-112-77)
क्रौञ्चो जीवति मासांस्तु दश द्वौ सप्त पञ्च च। ततो निधनमापन्नो मानुषत्वमुपाश्नुते ॥१३-११२-७८॥
The krauñca bird lives for ten, two, seven, and five months; thereafter, having died, it attains human birth. (13-112-78)
वृषलो ब्राह्मणीं गत्वा कृमiyoनौ प्रजायते। तत्रापत्यं समुत्पाद्य ततो जायति मूषकः ॥१३-११२-७९॥
When a śūdra approaches a brāhmaṇa woman, he is reborn as a worm; having produced offspring there, then he is born as a mouse. (13-112-79)
कृतघ्नस्तु मृतो राजन्यमस्य विषयं गतः। यमस्य विषये क्रुद्धैर्वधं प्राप्नोति दारुणम् ॥१३-११२-८०॥
But, O king, when the ungrateful man dies and enters the domain of Yama, he receives a terrible punishment at the hands of the enraged in the realm of Yama. (13-112-80)
पट्टिसं मुद्गरं शूलमग्निकुम्भं च दारुणम्। असिपत्रवनं घोरं वालुकां कूटशाल्मलीम् ॥१३-११२-८१॥
Spear, mace, trident, fire-pitcher, and terrible things; the sword-leaf forest, something horrible; burning sand and the iron śalmali tree. (13-112-81)
एताश्चान्याश्च बह्वीः स यमस्य विषयं गतः। यातनाः प्राप्य तत्रोग्रास्ततो वध्यति भारत ॥१३-११२-८२॥
O Bhārata, he who has gone to the domain of Yama, after experiencing these and many other severe torments there, is punished. (13-112-82)
संसारचक्रमासाद्य कृमियोनौ प्रजायते। कृमिर्भवति वर्षाणि दश पञ्च च भारत ॥ ततो गर्भं समासाद्य तत्रैव म्रियते शिशुः ॥१३-११२-८३॥
Having entered the cycle of existence, one is born in the womb of a worm; the worm lives for fifteen years, O Bhārata. Then, after entering a womb, the child dies there itself. (13-112-83)
ततो गर्भशतैर्जन्तुर्बहुभिः सम्प्रजायते। संसारांश्च बहून्गत्वा ततस्तिर्यक्प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-८४॥
Then, the creature, after passing through hundreds of wombs and many world-cycles, is born again in lower animal forms. (13-112-84)
मृतो दुःखमनुप्राप्य बहुवर्षगणानिह। अपुनर्भावसंयुक्तस्ततः कूर्मः प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-८५॥
After dying and experiencing suffering here for many years, being in a state of non-return, then one is born as a tortoise. (13-112-85)
अशस्त्रं पुरुषं हत्वा सशस्त्रः पुरुषाधमः। अर्थार्थी यदि वा वैरी स मृतो जायते खरः ॥१३-११२-८६॥
The armed man who kills an unarmed person is the lowest among men; whether he sought wealth or was an enemy, he is reborn as an ass after death. (13-112-86)
खरो जीवति वर्षे द्वे ततः शस्त्रेण वध्यते। स मृतो मृगयोनौ तु नित्योद्विग्नोऽभिजायते ॥१३-११२-८७॥
The ass lives for two years, then is killed by a weapon. After death, he is born in the species of an animal and remains ever fearful. (13-112-87)
मृगो वध्यति शस्त्रेण गते संवत्सरे तु सः। हतो मृगस्ततो मीनः सोऽपि जालेन बध्यते ॥१३-११२-८८॥
When the year has passed, the deer is killed by a weapon; after the deer is killed, then the fish too is caught by a net. (13-112-88)
मासे चतुर्थे सम्प्राप्ते श्वापदः सम्प्रजायते। श्वापदो दश वर्षाणि द्वीपी वर्षाणि पञ्च च ॥१३-११२-८९॥
Upon the arrival of the fourth month, the wild animal is born. The wild animal lives ten years; the tiger, five years. (13-112-89)
ततस्तु निधनं प्राप्तः कालपर्यायचोदितः। अधर्मस्य क्षयं कृत्वा ततो जायति मानुषः ॥१३-११२-९०॥
Then, indeed, after attaining death as impelled by the turn of time, and having destroyed unrighteousness, thereafter a human is born. (13-112-90)
स्त्रियं हत्वा तु दुर्बुद्धिर्यमस्य विषयं गतः। बहून्क्लेशान्समासाद्य संसारांश्चैव विंशतिम् ॥१३-११२-९१॥
But the wicked-minded one, having killed a woman, has gone to the domain of Yama; after enduring many torments and indeed twenty cycles of birth and death. (13-112-91)
ततः पश्चान्महाराज कृमियोनौ प्रजायते। कृमिर्विंशतिवर्षाणि भूत्वा जायति मानुषः ॥१३-११२-९२॥
After that, O great king, one is born in the womb of a worm; after existing as a worm for twenty years, one is born as a human. (13-112-92)
भोजनं चोरयित्वा तु मक्षिका जायते नरः। मक्षिकासङ्घवशगो बहून्मासान्भवत्युत ॥ ततः पापक्षयं कृत्वा मानुषत्वमवाप्नुते ॥१३-११२-९३॥
If a man steals food, he is born as a fly and, subject to the power of swarms of flies, lives so for many months. Then, once his sin is exhausted, he gains a human birth. (13-112-93)
वाद्यं हृत्वा तु पुरुषो मशकः सम्प्रजायते। तथा पिण्याकसंमिश्रमशनं चोरयेन्नरः ॥ स जायते बभ्रुसमो दारुणो मूषको नरः ॥१३-११२-९४॥
If a man steals a musical instrument, he is reborn as a mosquito. Similarly, if a man steals food mixed with oil-cake, he is reborn as a fierce mouse, resembling a mongoose. (13-112-94)
लवणं चोरयित्वा तु चीरीवाकः प्रजायते। दधि हृत्वा बकश्चापि प्लवो मत्स्यानसंस्कृतान् ॥१३-११२-९५॥
But after stealing salt, the plover bird comes into being. And after taking away curd, the crane also (becomes) the aquatic bird that (takes) uncooked fish. (13-112-95)
चोरयित्वा पयश्चापि बलाका सम्प्रजायते। यस्तु चोरयते तैलं तैलपायी प्रजायते ॥ चोरयित्वा तु दुर्बुद्धिर्मधु दंशः प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-९६॥
One who has stolen milk is born as a balākā bird. But he who steals oil is reborn as one who drinks oil. If an evil-minded person steals honey, he is born as a stinging insect (mosquito). (13-112-96)
अयो हृत्वा तु दुर्बुद्धिर्वायसो जायते नरः। पायसं चोरयित्वा तु तित्तिरित्वमवाप्नुते ॥१३-११२-९७॥
A person of wicked mind who steals iron is reborn as a crow; but one who steals sweet rice pudding attains the state of a partridge. (13-112-97)
हृत्वा पैष्टमपूपं च कुम्भोलूकः प्रजायते। फलं वा मूलकं हृत्वा अपूपं वा पिपीलिकः ॥१३-११२-९८॥
By taking away a cake made of flour, an owl is born; by taking away fruit, root-vegetable, or cake, one becomes an ant. (13-112-98)
कांस्यं हृत्वा तु दुर्बुद्धिर्हारीतो जायते नरः। राजतं भाजनं हृत्वा कपोतः सम्प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-९९॥
A man of evil intellect, having stolen bronze, is born as a parrot; having stolen a silver vessel, he is born as a pigeon. (13-112-99)
हृत्वा तु काञ्चनं भाण्डं कृमियोनौ प्रजायते। क्रौञ्चः कार्पासिकं हृत्वा मृतो जायति मानवः ॥१३-११२-१००॥
But one who steals a gold object is born in the womb of worms. A human, having stolen cotton from a heron, is born again after death. (13-112-100)
चोरयित्वा नरः पट्टं त्वाविकं वापि भारत। क्षौमं च वस्त्रमादाय शशो जन्तुः प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-१०१॥
O Bhārata, if a man steals silk, woolen, or linen garments, he is reborn as a hare. (13-112-101)
वर्णान्हृत्वा तु पुरुषो मृतो जायति बर्हिणः। हृत्वा रक्तानि वस्त्राणि जायते जीवजीवकः ॥१३-११२-१०२॥
A man who dies having taken (stolen) colors is born as a peacock; one who takes (steals) red garments is born as a jīvajīvaka bird. (13-112-102)
वर्णकादींस्तथा गन्धांश्चोरयित्वा तु मानवः। छुच्छुन्दरित्वमाप्नोति राजँल्लोभपरायणः ॥१३-११२-१०३॥
O king, a human being who, out of greed, steals coloring substances and fragrances, becomes a musk-rat. (13-112-103)
विश्वासेन तु निक्षिप्तं यो निह्नवति मानवः। स गतासुर्नरस्तादृङ्मत्स्ययोनौ प्रजायते ॥१३-११२-१०४॥
But a man who conceals what is deposited in trust, after death, such a man is born in the womb of a fish. (13-112-104)
मत्स्ययोनिमनुप्राप्य मृतो जायति मानुषः। मानुषत्वमनुप्राप्य क्षीणायुरुपपद्यते ॥१३-११२-१०५॥
Upon attaining a fish existence and dying, one is born as a human; having attained human life and when his life-span is exhausted, he takes birth again. (13-112-105)
पापानि तु नरः कृत्वा तिर्यग्जायति भारत। न चात्मनः प्रमाणं ते धर्मं जानन्ति किञ्चन ॥१३-११२-१०६॥
But after committing sins, a man is born as an animal, O Bhārata. They do not know any standard of dharma for themselves at all. (13-112-106)
ये पापानि नराः कृत्वा निरस्यन्ति व्रतैः सदा। सुखदुःखसमायुक्ता व्याधितास्ते भवन्त्युत ॥१३-११२-१०७॥
Those men who, having committed sins, always drive them away with vows, become afflicted by happiness and sorrow, and are diseased indeed. (13-112-107)
असंवासाः प्रजायन्ते म्लेच्छाश्चापि न संशयः। नराः पापसमाचारा लोभमोहसमन्विताः ॥१३-११२-१०८॥
Certainly, those lacking proper conduct and foreigners are born; men possess evil ways, filled with greed and delusion. (13-112-108)
वर्जयन्ति च पापानि जन्मप्रभृति ये नराः। अरोगा रूपवन्तस्ते धनिनश्च भवन्त्युत ॥१३-११२-१०९॥
Men who reject sins from birth become free from disease, handsome, and wealthy indeed. (13-112-109)
स्त्रियोऽप्येतेन कल्पेन कृत्वा पापमवाप्नुयुः। एतेषामेव जन्तूनां पत्नीत्वमुपयान्ति ताः ॥१३-११२-११०॥
Women also, by this method, having committed sin, would obtain (its result). They attain the condition of wifehood among these very creatures. (13-112-110)
परस्वहरणे दोषाः सर्व एव प्रकीर्तिताः। एतद्वै लेशमात्रेण कथितं ते मयानघ ॥ अपरस्मिन्कथायोगे भूयः श्रोष्यसि भारत ॥१३-११२-१११॥
All the faults in taking away the property of others have indeed been declared. This much has been told to you briefly by me, O sinless one. On another occasion, you shall hear more, O descendant of Bharata. (13-112-111)
एतन्मया महाराज ब्रह्मणो वदतः पुरा। सुरर्षीणां श्रुतं मध्ये पृष्टश्चापि यथातथम् ॥१३-११२-११२॥
O great king, this I heard from Brahmā when he was speaking long ago, in the midst of the divine sages, having also questioned him as it was. (13-112-112)
मयापि तव कार्त्स्न्येन यथावदनुवर्णितम्। एतच्छ्रुत्वा महाराज धर्मे कुरु मनः सदा ॥१३-११२-११३॥
I too have thoroughly explained everything to you as it is. Having heard this, O great king, always direct your mind towards righteousness. (13-112-113)
