Shandilya Bhakti Sutra

वैषम्यादसिद्धमिति चेन्नाभिज्ञानवदवैशिष्ट्यात्

If it is said, 'It is not established because of inequality,' (we reply) not so, because of the distinction, as with knowledge.

न च क्लिष्ट: पर: स्यादनन्तरं विशेषात्

Nor would the afflicted be supreme, because immediately after, there is a distinction.

ऐश्वर्यं तथेति चेन्न स्वाभाव्यात्

If it is said, 'It is lordly power thus,' (we reply) not so, because it is by nature.

अप्रतिषिद्धं परैश्वर्यं तद्भावाच्च नैवमितरेषाम्

Unobstructed supreme lordship is (possible) because of its existence; not so for the others.

सर्वानृते किमिति चेन्नैवं बुद्ध्यानन्त्यात्

If it is asked, 'Why not all falsehood?' (we reply) not so, because of the infinitude of intellect.

प्रकृत्यन्तरालादवैकार्यं चित्सत्त्वेनानुवर्तमानात्

Because of the difference from other natures, there is no alteration, as consciousness continues in its own essence.

तत्प्रतिष्ठा गृहपीठवत्

Its foundation is like the base of a house.

मिथोऽपेक्षणादुभयम्

Because of mutual dependence, both exist.

चेत्यचितोर्न तृतीयम्

There is no third, apart from the cognizer and the cognized.

युक्तौ च सम्परायात्

And in union, from the transition.

शक्तित्वान्नानृतं वेद्यम्

Because of its power, what is known is not false.

तत्परिशुद्धिश्च गम्या लोकवल्लिङ्गेभ्य:

Its purity is inferred from worldly signs.

सम्मानबहुमानप्रीतिविरहेतरविचिकित्सामहिमख्यातितदर्थप्राणस्थानतदीयतासर्वतद् भावा प्रातिकूल्यादीनि च स्मरणेभ्यो बाहुल्यात्

Respect, honor, affection, absence of hostility, doubt, fame, recognition of purpose, devotion, offering, and all such states, as well as opposition and the like, are frequent in recollection.

द्वेषादयस्तु नैवम्

But hatred and the like are not so.

यद्वाक्यशेषात् प्रादुर्भावेष्वपि सा

From the remainder of the statement, even in manifestations, it is so.

जन्मकर्मविदश्चाजन्मशब्दात्

And the knower of birth and action, because of the term 'unborn.'

तच्च दिव्यं स्वशक्तिमात्रोद्भवात्

And that is divine, arising solely from its own power.

मुख्यं तस्य हि कारुण्यम्

For compassion is its primary quality.

प्राणित्वान्न विभूतिषु

Because it is living, not among the manifestations.

द्यूतराजसेवयो: प्रतिषेधाच्च

And because of the prohibition of gambling and service to kings.

वासुदेवेऽपीति चेन्नाकरमात्रत्वात्

If it is said to be in Vāsudeva, it is only as a non-action.

प्रत्यभिज्ञानाच्च

And because of recognition.

वृष्णिषु श्रैष्ठ्येन तत्

Among the Vṛṣṇis, it is by excellence.

एवं प्रसिद्धेषु च

Thus, among those that are well established,

भक्त्या भजनोपसंहाराद्गौण्या परायैतद्धेतुत्वात्

Because devotion, through the conclusion of worship, is secondary to the supreme, being the cause of this.

रागार्थप्रकीर्त्तिसाहचर्याच्चेतरेषाम्

And for others, due to association with the mention of passion and purpose.

अन्तराले तु शेषा: स्युरुपास्यादौ च काण्डत्वात्

However, the remaining ones are intermediate; and at the beginning of worship, because of their partial nature.

ताभ्य: पावित्र्यमुपक्रमात्

From these, purity arises at the outset.

तासु प्रधानयोगात् फ़लाधिक्यमेके

Among them, due to predominant connection, some assert greater fruit.