कथिता योषितः सर्वा उत्तमाधममध्यमाः
All women have been described—superior, inferior, and middling.
हृदयं क्षुरधाराभं शरत्पद्मोत्सवं मुखम्
Her heart is like the edge of a razor; her face is like a lotus in autumn.
प्रकोपे विषतुल्यं च विश्वासे सर्वनाशनम् 1.23.
In anger, she is like poison; in trust, she brings total ruin.
सदा तासामविनयः प्रबलं साहसं परम्
They are always without discipline, possessing extreme boldness.
पुंसश्चाष्टगुणः कामः शश्वत्कामो जगद्गुरो
A man's desire is eightfold, O teacher of the world, and is ever constant.
कोपः पुंसः षड्गुणश्च व्यवसायश्च निश्चितम्
A man's anger is sixfold, and his resolve is certain.
का क्रीडा किं सुखं पुंसो विण्मूत्रमलवेश्मनि
What play, what pleasure is there for a man in a house of excrement, urine, and filth?
धनक्षयोऽतिप्रीतौ चात्यासक्तौ च वपुःक्षयः सर्वनाशश्च विश्वासे ब्रह्मन्नारीषु किं सुखम्
Loss of wealth comes from excessive affection; loss of beauty from excessive attachment; total ruin from trust—O Brahman, what happiness is there with women?
यावद्धनी च तेजस्वी सश्रीको योग्यतापरः
As long as he is wealthy, vigorous, fortunate, and possesses ability,
रोगिणं निर्द्धनं वृद्धं योषिद्वै प्रेक्षतेऽप्रियम्
A woman regards a sick, poor, or old man as unpleasant.
इत्येवं कथितं सर्वं ब्रह्मन्नात्मागमो यथा
Thus, O Brahman, everything has been spoken as it pertains to the coming of the self.
अनुग्रहं कुरु विभो विदायं देहि साम्प्रतम्
Grant your favor, O Lord, and give the teaching now.
इत्युक्त्वा नारदस्तत्र धृत्वा तातपदाम्बुजम् 1.23.
Having spoken thus, Nārada there grasped the lotus feet of his father.
कृताञ्जलिपुटो भूत्वा भक्तिनम्रात्मकन्धरः
With hands joined in reverence, his neck bowed in devotion.
गच्छन्तं तनयं दृष्ट्वा विधाता जगतां मुने
Seeing his son departing, the Creator of the worlds, O sage,
करे धृत्वा समालिङ्ग्य चुचुम्ब च पुनः पुनः
Taking him by the hand, embracing him, he kissed him again and again.
स्वात्मारामेश्वरो ब्रह्मा योगीन्द्राणां गुरोर्गुरुः
Brahma, the Lord who delights in his own Self, the guru of the gurus of yogis,
कातरः पुत्रभेदेन मोहितो विष्चुमायया
Was distressed by separation from his son, deluded by Vishnu's maya.
श्रीब्रह्मोवाच अहं यास्यामि गोलोकं विज्ञातुं कृष्णमीश्वरम्
Sri Brahma said: I shall go to Goloka to understand Krishna, the Lord.
सनकश्च सनन्दश्च तृतीयश्च सनातनः
Sanaka, Sananda, and the third, Sanatana,
यती हंसी चारुणिश्च वोढुः पञ्चशिखस्तथा
Yati, Hamsi, Charuni, and also Vodhu, as well as Panchashikha,
वचस्करो मरीचिर्मे अङ्गिराश्च भृगुस्तथा
Vacaskara, Marichi, Angiras, and also Bhrigu,
वसिष्ठो वशगः शश्वत्सर्वेषु च सुतेषु च
Vasishtha, Vasaga, Shashvat, and all the sons as well,
निबोध वत्स वक्ष्यामि वेदोक्तं वचनं शुभम्
Listen, child, I shall speak to you the auspicious words declared in the Vedas.
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षांश्च सर्वे वाञ्छन्ति पण्डिताः
All the wise desire dharma, artha, kama, and moksha.
वेदप्रणिहितो धर्मो ह्यधर्मस्तद्विपर्य्ययः
Dharma is established by the Vedas; adharma is its opposite.
समधीत्य ततो वेदान्ददाति गुरुदक्षिणाम्
After mastering the Vedas, one gives the guru his due offering.
सा साध्वी कुलजा या च पतिसेवासु तत्परा आकरे पद्मरागाणां जन्म काचमणेः कुतः ।। 1.24.
She is virtuous and of noble lineage who is devoted to serving her husband; how can a crystal be born in a mine of rubies?
असद्वंशप्रसूता या पित्रोर्दोषेण नारद
She who is born in an ignoble family, O Narada, due to the fault of her father,
न वत्स दुष्टाः सर्वाश्च योषितः कमलाकलाः
No, child, not all women are wicked, for they are portions of Kamala.