14.045
Brahmā said.
The essence of intellect, the foundation of the mind, the bond for the senses, the support of the elements' sound, and the encirclement of a moment (a twinkling of the eye). (14-45-1)
Permeated by old age and sorrow, beset by disease and misfortune, conscious of time and place, resounding with fatigue and exertion. (14-45-2)
Bound by day and night, encompassed by heat and cold, troubled by alternating pleasure and pain, and beset by hunger and thirst. (14-45-3)
Marked by alternations of shade and sunlight, overwhelmed by blinking and opening of the eyes, filled with people intensely deluded, the present (world) is insentient. (14-45-4)
Having a duration computed in a month and a half and a month, uneven and connected to worldly movement, being the mire of accumulated darkness and the activator of passionate impulse. (14-45-5)
Illumined by the ornament of pure existence and surrounded by the sphere of qualities, with the gathering of sounds at its center, it is the wheel of the mass of sorrow. (14-45-6)
That which is joined with action and cause, pervaded by the expansion of passion, counted as (belonging to) greed and desire to obtain, and arises from separated knowledge. (14-45-7)
Having fear and delusion as its companions, causing the bewilderment of beings, possessing joy and affection, and associated with desire and anger. (14-45-8)
The imperishable wheel of time, which begins from mahat (the great) down to the particulars, remains unattached, is the origin of all, moves swiftly as the mind, and tirelessly revolves. (14-45-9)
This unconscious wheel of time, joined with duality, should create, contract, and also awaken the world along with the gods. (14-45-10)
He who truly knows both the working and cessation of the wheel of time is never deluded among beings. (14-45-11)
The sage who is freed from all afflictions and all dualities, and is liberated from all sins, attains the supreme state. (14-45-12)
Householder, celibate student, forest-dweller and mendicant—these four stages of life are said to be all rooted in the householder. (14-45-13)
Whoever in this world is indeed proclaimed as having come, for him, departure is better; this fame is eternal. (14-45-14)
The knower of the Veda who has been purified through sacraments, has duly observed the vows beforehand, and is born in a family endowed with good qualities, should complete his study. (14-45-15)
A man devoted to his own wife, self-controlled, upholding proper conduct, and with subdued senses, should, with faith, indeed perform the five great sacrifices. (14-45-16)
He eats only what is left after offerings to gods and guests, is engaged in Vedic rituals, is devoted to worship and charity, and acts according to his ability and prescribed rules. (14-45-17)
A sage is not restless in hands and feet, nor in eyes; nor is he restless in speech and limbs—this is the characteristic of a cultured person. (14-45-18)
One should always wear the sacred thread, be dressed in white, maintain a vow of purity, discipline oneself through self-control and charity, always associate with virtuous people, and reside in their company. (14-45-19)
A person who has controlled his organ and stomach, who is friendly and committed to proper conduct, should carry a bamboo staff and a water-pot filled with water. (14-45-20)
Having mastered the Veda, one should teach it; likewise, perform sacrifices and cause others to perform them; give gifts and receive gifts also—these six are the duties one should practice. (14-45-21)
There are three actions which are here the livelihood of Brāhmaṇas: causing others to perform sacrifice, teaching, and, when from a pure source, also the acceptance of gifts. (14-45-22)
The remaining three other actions—that is, gift, study, and sacrifice—that are endowed with righteousness—those indeed. (14-45-23)
One who knows dharma should not be negligent in those three kinds of actions; a sage is self-restrained, friendly, patient, and equal to all beings. (14-45-24)
A householder, firm in his vow, who is pure and performs all this according to his ability, thus engaged, may attain heaven. (14-45-25)
