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.
श्रुत्वा तेषां तथा वृत्तिं नगरे वसतामिव। दुर्योधनो महाराज तेषु पापमरोचयत्
Hearing of their way of life, as if they were living in the city, King Duryodhana conceived evil against them.
तथा तैर्निकृतिप्रज्ञैः कर्णदुःशासनादिभिः। नानोपायैरधं तेषु चिन्तयत्सु दुरात्मसु
Thus, those wicked-minded ones, Karna, Duhshasana, and others, skilled in deceit, devised various means against them.
अभ्यागच्छत्स धर्मात्मा तपस्वी कसुमहायशाः। शिष्यायुतसमोपेतो दुर्वासा नाम कामतः
Then, the righteous, ascetic, and greatly renowned Durvasa arrived, accompanied by many disciples, of his own accord.
तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य मुनिं परमकोपनम्। सहितो भ्रातृभिः श्रीमानातिथ्येन न्यमन्त्रयत्
Seeing the sage arrive, exceedingly irascible, the illustrious one, together with his brothers, invited him with hospitality.
विधिवत्पूजयामास स्वयं किंकरवत्स्थितः। अहानि कतिचित्तत्र तस्थौ स मुनिसत्तमः
He himself worshipped him according to proper rites, standing like a servant; the eminent sage stayed there for several days.
तं च पर्यचरद्राजा दिवारात्रमतन्द्रितः। दुर्योधनो महाराज शापात्तस्य विशङ्कितः
The king attended upon him day and night, tirelessly; King Duryodhana, fearing his curse.
क्षुधितोऽस्मि ददस्वान्नं शीघ्रं मम नराधिप। इत्युक्त्वा गच्छति स्नातुं प्र्यागच्चति वै चिरात्
He said, 'I am hungry, give me food quickly, O king,' and then went to bathe, returning only after a long time.
न भोक्ष्याम्यद्यमे नास्ति क्षुधेत्युक्त्वैत्यदर्शनम्। अकस्मादेत्य च ब्रूते भोजनयास्मांस्त्वरान्वितः
He said, 'I will not eat today, for I am not hungry,' and vanished; then suddenly he would return, urging them to prepare food swiftly.
कदाचिच्च निशीथे स उत्थाय निकृतौ स्थितः। पूर्ववत्कारयित्वाऽन्नं न भुङ्क्ते गर्हयन्स्म सः
Sometimes, rising at midnight, he would have food prepared as before, but would not eat, reproaching them.
वर्तमाने तथा तस्मिन्यदा दुर्योधनो नृपः। विकृतिं नैति न क्रोधं तदा तुष्टोऽभवन्मुनिः
While this was happening, whenever King Duryodhana did not show any agitation or anger, the sage was pleased.