मनुष्यत्वे च विप्रत्वं यः संप्राप्यातिदुर्ल्लभम्
And in humanity, whoever attains the state of a Brahmin, which is extremely rare,
सर्वेषामेव देशानां मध्यदेशः परः स्मृतः
Among all lands, the central region is regarded as supreme.
एतस्मिन्भारते पुण्ये प्राप्य मानुष्यमध्रुवम् यः कुर्यान्नात्मनः श्रेयस्तेनात्मा वंचितः स्वयम्
In this holy land of Bharata, having obtained the fleeting human birth, whoever does not strive for their own highest good, that person deceives themselves.
भोगभूमिः स्मृतः स्वर्गः कर्मभूमिरियं मता
Heaven is called the land of enjoyment; this world is considered the land of action.
यावत्स्वास्थ्यं शरीरस्य तावद्धर्मं समाचर
As long as the body is healthy, practice dharma.
अध्रुवेण शरीरेण ह्यध्रुवं यः प्रसाधयेत्
With a body that is impermanent, whoever seeks impermanent things—
आयुषः खंडखडानि निपतंति तवा ग्रतः
Fragments and pieces of lifespan are falling before you.
यदा न ज्ञायते मृत्युः कदा कस्य भविष्यति 4.6.
Since it is not known when or for whom death will come,
परित्यज्य यदा सर्वमेकाकी यास्यसि धुवम्
When you abandon everything and must go alone, certainly,
गृहीतदानपाथेया सुखं यांति महाध्वनि
Those who have gathered provisions for the journey travel happily on the great path.
येषां द्विजेन्द्रवाहित्री पूर्णभांडा तु गच्छति
For whom the vehicle of the twice-born, fully loaded, proceeds,
इति ज्ञात्वा नरः पुण्यं कुर्यात्पापं विवर्जयेत् ।। पुण्येन याति देवत्वमपुण्यान्नरकं व्रजेत्
Knowing this, a person should perform virtue and avoid sin; by virtue one attains divinity, by sin one goes to hell.
ये मनागपि देवेशं प्रपन्नाः शरणं शिवम्
Those who, even slightly, have sought refuge in the Lord of gods, the auspicious one,
किं तु पापैर्महाघोरैः किञ्चित्कालं शिवाज्ञया
Yet, by the command of Shiva, due to very terrible sins, for a short time—
ये पुनः सर्वभावेन प्रतिपन्ना महेश्वरम्
But those who are wholly devoted to Lord Maheśvara,
तस्मा द्विवर्धयेद्भक्तिमीश्वरे सततं बुधः
Therefore, the wise should always double their devotion to the Lord.
पापानि पंच परमार्थतयैव पार्थ दुःखप्रदानि सुचिरं पितृ राजलोके
O Pārtha, the five sins, in truth, bring long-lasting suffering in the realms of the ancestors and kings.
शकटव्रतमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् व्रतोपवासनियमप्लवेनोत्तीर्यते सुखम्
Description of the greatness of the Śakaṭa vow: By crossing over with the discipline of vows and fasting, one attains happiness.
दुर्ल्लभं प्राप्य मानुष्यं विद्युत्पतनचञ्चलम्
Having attained the rare human birth, which is as fleeting as a lightning flash,
दान व्रतमयी कीर्तिर्यस्य स्यादिह देहिनः
The fame of one whose life here is filled with charity and vows endures.
ज्ञायते नेह नामुत्र व्रतस्वाध्यायवर्जितः
Here and hereafter, one without vows and study of scripture is not recognized.
अत्र ते कथयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम्
Now I shall tell you an ancient story.
योगर्द्धिसिद्ध्या संसिद्धः कश्चित्सिद्धो महीतलम्
There was once a perfected being on earth, accomplished through yogic powers and attainments.
निगीर्णदंतो लंबोष्ठः पिंगाक्षस्तनुमूर्द्धजः
His teeth were sunken, his lips thick, his eyes tawny, and his hair sparse.
चिपिटाक्षः स्फुटितपाज्जंघाढ्यः कृशकूर्परः
His eyes were flat, his knees and shins cracked, and his elbows thin.
मूलजालिकविप्रेण दृष्टः पृष्टश्च को भवान्
He was seen and questioned by a Brahmin of the Mūlajālika lineage: 'Who are you?'
कच्चिद्दृष्टा त्वया रंभा भाभासितदिगंतरा
'Have you seen Rambhā, who illumines all directions with her radiance?'
गत्वा मद्वचनाद्वाच्या निर्वाच्या दोषदर्शिभिः
'Go and speak to her on my behalf, but do not speak to those who find fault.'
सिद्धः प्रसिद्धं तं विप्रं प्राहेदं विस्मयान्वितः
The accomplished one, filled with wonder, addressed that renowned Brahmin.
ब्राह्मणस्तमथोवाच विज्ञातोऽसि मया यथा
Then the Brahmin said to him, 'I have recognized you as you are.'