लोकवेदेषु तदनुकूलाचरणं तद्विरोधिषूदासीनता च
In worldly and Vedic matters, acting in accordance with it, and indifference towards what opposes it.
भवतु निश्चयदाढ्यादूर्ध्वं शास्त्ररक्षणम्
Let there be protection of scripture henceforth, due to firmness of conviction.
अन्यथा पातित्यशङ्कया
Otherwise, out of fear of downfall.
लोकोऽपि तावदेव भोजनादिव्यापारस्त्वाशरीरधारणावधि
Even worldly activities such as eating are only for the maintenance of the body.
तल्लक्षणानि वाच्यन्ते नानामतभेदात
Its characteristics are spoken of, according to various doctrinal distinctions.
पूजादिष्वनुराग इति पाराशर्यः
Parāśarya says: attachment in acts such as worship.
कथादिष्विति गर्गः
Garga says: in acts such as narration.
आत्मरत्यविरोधेनेति शाण्डिल्यः
Śāṇḍilya says: provided it does not oppose delight in the Self.
नारदस्तु तदर्पिताखिलाचारता तद्विस्मरणे परमव्याकुलतेति
Nārada says: dedicating all actions to That, and supreme distress upon forgetting It.
अस्त्येवमेवम्
Indeed, it is so.
यथा व्रजगोपिकानाम्
Just as among the cowherd women of Vraja,
तत्रापि न माहात्म्यज्ञानविस्मृत्यपवादः
Even there, the objection of forgetting the greatness-knowledge does not apply.
तद्विहीनं जाराणामिव
Without that, it is like the love of adulterers.
नास्त्येव तस्मिंस्तत्सुखसुखित्वम्
There is absolutely no happiness in that, nor the joy of another's happiness.
सा तु कर्मज्ञानयोगेभ्योऽप्यधिकतरा
But it is superior even to action, knowledge, and yoga.
फलरूपत्वात
Because it is of the nature of the fruit.
ईश्वरस्याप्यभिमानद्वेषित्वाद्दैन्यप्रियत्वाच्च
Because even for the Lord, pride is displeasing and humility is dear.
तस्या ज्ञानमेव साधनमित्येके
Some say that knowledge alone is its means.
अन्योऽन्याश्रयत्वमित्यन्ये
Others say it is mutual dependence.
स्वयं फलरूपतेति ब्रह्मकुमारः
Brahmakumara says: It is itself of the nature of the fruit.
राजगृहभोजनादिषु तथैव दृष्टत्वात
Because it is seen likewise in eating at the royal palace and other such things.
न तेन राजपरितोषः, क्षुधशान्तिर्वा
By that, neither the king's satisfaction nor the appeasement of hunger occurs.
तस्मात्सैव ग्राह्या मुमुक्षुभिः
Therefore, only that should be accepted by those seeking liberation.
तस्याः साधनानि गायन्त्याचार्याः
Teachers sing of its means.
तत्तु विषयत्यागात्सङ्गत्यागाच्च
That is through renunciation of sense objects and renunciation of attachment.
अव्यावृत्तभजनात्१२
Through uninterrupted devotion.
लोकेऽपि भगवद्गुणश्रवणकीर्तनात
Even in the world, through hearing and singing the qualities of the Lord.
मुख्यतस्तु महत्कृपयैव भगवत्कृपालेशाद्वा
Primarily, it is attained only through the great mercy of the exalted, or by a fragment of the Lord’s grace.
महत्सङ्गस्तु दुर्लभोऽगम्योऽमोघश्च
Association with the exalted is rare, difficult to approach, and unfailing.
लभ्यतेऽपि तत्कृपयैव
Even that is obtained only by their mercy.