एतत्स्वर्गसुखं विप्र लोका नानाविधास्तथा। गुणाः स्वर्गस्य प्रोक्तास्ते दोषानपि निबोध मे
This is the happiness of heaven, O Brahmin, and likewise the various worlds; the virtues of heaven have been described—now hear its faults from me.
कृस्य कर्मणस्तत्रभुज्यते यत्फलं दिवि। न चान्त्क्रियते कर्म मूलच्छेदेन भुज्यते
There, the fruit of action is enjoyed in heaven, but the action is not ended at the root—it is only experienced.
सोऽत्रदोषो मम मतस्तस्यान्ते पतनं च यत्। सुखव्याप्तमनस्कानां पतनं यच्च मुद्गल
Therefore, in my view, that is a fault, and at its end there is a fall; and for those whose minds are filled with happiness, O Mudgala, there is also a fall.
असंतोषः परीतापो दृष्ट्वा दीप्ततराः श्रियः। यद्भवत्यवरे स्थाने स्थितानां तत्सुदुष्करम्
Dissatisfaction and distress arise when one sees brighter prosperity; for those who remain in a lower place, that is very difficult to bear.
संज्ञामोहश्चपततां रजसा च प्रधर्षणम्। प्रम्लानेषु च माल्येषु ततः पिपतिषोर्भयम्
Confusion of awareness, the arrogance of those who fall, agitation from passion, and fear when garlands wither and one is about to descend—these arise.
आब्रह्मभवनादेते दोषा मौद्गल्य दारुणाः। नाकलोकेसुकृतिनां गुणास्त्वयुतशो नृणाम्
O Maudgalya, these terrible faults extend even up to Brahma’s abode; but in the heavenly worlds, the virtues of the righteous are present among people by the tens of thousands.
अयं त्वन्यो गुणः श्रेष्ठश्च्युतानां स्वर्गतो मुने। शुभानुशययोगेन मनुष्येषूपजायते
Yet, O sage, there is another supreme virtue for those who have fallen from heaven: through the power of auspicious impressions, it arises among humans.
तत्रापि स महाभागः कुले महति जायते। न चेत्संबुध्यते तत्रगच्छत्यधमतां ततः
There too, O greatly fortunate one, he is born into a noble family; but if he does not awaken there, he then falls to a lower state.
इह यत्क्रियते कर्म तत्परत्रोपभुज्यते। कर्मभूमिरियं ब्रह्मन्फलभूमिरसौ मता
Whatever action is performed here is enjoyed as its result elsewhere; this world, O Brahman, is the field of action, while that is considered the field of result.
महान्तस्तु अमी दोपास्त्वया स्वर्गस्य कीर्तिताः। निर्दोष एव यस्त्यन्यो लोकं तं प्रवदस्व मे
These, as you have described, are the great faults of heaven; if there is any other world free from fault, tell me of it.
ब्रह्मणः सदनादूर्ध्वं तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्। शुद्धं सनातनं ज्योतिः परं ब्रह्मेति यद्विदुः
Above the abode of Brahma is that supreme station of Vishnu, which is pure, eternal light, known as the highest Brahman.
न तत्रविप्र गच्छन्ति पुरुषा विषयात्मकाः। दम्भलोभमहाक्रोधमोहद्रोहैरभिद्रुताः
There, O Brahmin, those whose nature is bound to sense-objects do not go—those overwhelmed by hypocrisy, greed, great anger, delusion, and hostility.
निर्ममा निरहंकारा निर्द्विन्द्वाः संयतेन्द्रियाः। ध्यानयोगपराश्चैव तत्रगच्छन्ति मानवाः ।।]
Those who are free from possessiveness and ego, beyond dualities, with controlled senses, and devoted to meditation and yoga—such people reach that place.
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यतं यन्मां पृच्छसि मुद्गल। तवानुकम्पया साधो साधु गच्छाम माचिरम्
All this, O Mudgala, which you have asked me, has been explained to you; out of compassion for you, O virtuous one, let us go without delay.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु मौद्गल्यो वाक्यं विममृशे धिया। विमृश्य च मुनिश्रेष्ठो देवदूतमुवाचह
Hearing this speech, Maudgalya reflected in his mind; and after considering, the best of sages spoke to the divine messenger.
देवदूत नमस्तेऽम्तु गच्छ तात यथासुखम्। महादोषेण मे कार्यं न स्वर्गेण सुखेन चा
O divine messenger, I bow to you; go, dear one, as you please. I have no business with great fault, nor with the happiness of heaven.
पतनान्ते महादुःखं परितापः सुदारुणः। स्वर्गभाजः पतन्तीह तस्मात्स्वर्गं न कामये
At the end of the fall, there is great suffering and intense distress; those who enjoy heaven fall here, therefore I do not desire heaven.
यत्रगत्वान शोचन्ति न व्यथन्तिचलन्ति वा। तदहं स्थानमत्यन्तं मार्गयिष्यामि केवलम्
I will seek only that ultimate place where, having gone, one does not grieve, is not afflicted, nor returns.
इत्युक्त्वा स मुनिर्वाक्यं देवदूतंविसृज्य तम्। शिलोञ्छवृत्तिमुत्सृज्य शममातिष्ठदुत्तमम्
Having spoken thus to the divine messenger, the sage dismissed him, abandoned the practice of gleaning, and established himself in supreme tranquility.
तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्भूत्वासमलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः। ज्ञानयोगेन शुद्धेन ध्याननित्यो बभूव ह
Becoming equal in praise and blame, regarding earth, stone, and gold alike, ever devoted to pure knowledge and meditation, he became steadfast.
निगृहीतेन्द्रियग्रामः समयोजयदात्मनि। युक्तचित्तं यथाऽऽत्मानं युयोज परमेश्वरे
With his group of senses restrained, he established his mind in himself; with his mind composed, he united his self with the Supreme Lord.
ध्यानयोगाद्बलं लब्ध्वा प्राप्य बुद्धिमनुत्तमाम्। जगाम शाश्वतीं सिद्धिं परां निर्वाणलक्षणाम्
By the power of meditation and yoga, having gained strength and attained unsurpassed understanding, he reached eternal perfection, marked by supreme nirvana.
तस्मात्त्वमपिकौन्तेय न शोकं कर्तुमर्हसि। राज्यात्स्फीतात्परिभ्रष्टस्तपसा तदवाप्स्यसि
Therefore, you too, O son of Kunti, should not grieve; though deprived of a flourishing kingdom, you will regain it through austerity.
सुखस्यानन्तरं दुःखं दुःखस्यानन्तरं सुखम्। पर्यायेणोपसर्पन्ते नरं नेमिमरा इव
After happiness comes sorrow, and after sorrow comes happiness; they approach a person in turn, like the spokes of a wheel.
पितृपैतामहं राज्यंप्राप्स्यस्यमितविक्रम। वर्षात्रयोदशादूर्ध्वंव्येतु ते मानसो ज्वरः
You will obtain the kingdom of your fathers and grandfathers, O mighty one; after thirteen years, let your mental anguish subside.
स एवमुक्त्वाभगवान्व्यासः पाण्डवनन्दनम्। जगाम तपसे धीमान्पुनरेवाश्रमं प्रति
Having spoken thus, the venerable Vyasa, wise and devoted to austerity, departed again for his hermitage.
वसत्स्वेवं वने तेषु पाण्डवेषु महात्मसु। रममाणएषु चित्राबिः कथाभिर्मुनिभिः सह
While the great-souled Pandavas dwelt in the forest, delighting in varied stories with the sages.
सूर्यदत्ताक्षयान्नेन कृष्णाया भोजनावधि। ब्राह्मणांस्तर्पमाणेषु ये चान्नार्थमुपागताः। आरण्यानां मृगाणां च मांसैर्नानाविधैरपि
With inexhaustible food given by the Sun, up to the limit of Draupadi’s meal, they satisfied the Brahmanas who came for food, and also with various kinds of meat from the wild animals.
धार्तराष्ट्रा दुरात्मानः सर्वे दुर्योधनादयः। कथं तेष्वन्ववर्तन्त पापाचारा महामुने
O great sage, how did the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra, headed by Duryodhana, behave towards them, practicing evil conduct?
दःशासनस्य कर्णस्य शकुनेश्च मते स्थिताः। एतदाचक्ष्व भगवन्वैशंपायन पृच्छतः
Following the counsel of Duhshasana, Karna, and Shakuni, tell us this, O revered Vaishampayana, as I ask.