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.
निर्गुणं स्वामिनं साध्वी सेवते च प्रशंसति
The virtuous woman serves and praises her lord, who is without qualities.
साधुः सद्वंशजां कन्यां प्रयत्नेन परिग्रहेत्
A virtuous man should carefully take a maiden of noble lineage.
वरं हुतवहे वासः सर्पवक्त्रे च कण्टके
It is better to dwell in fire, or in the mouth of a serpent, or upon thorns.
मत्तोऽधीतस्त्वया वेदो मह्यं च गुरुदक्षिणाम्
You have studied the Veda from me, and given me the teacher’s fee.
वत्स त्वं कुलजातां च पूर्वपत्नी च मालतीम्
My child, you are born in a noble family, and Mālatī is your former wife.
मनुवंशोद्भवस्येह सृंजयस्य गृहे सती
Here, Mālatī, born in the lineage of Manu, is a virtuous wife in the house of Sṛñjaya.
गृह्णीष्व परमां रत्नमालां च कमलाकलाम्
Accept the supreme jewel, the lotus-like Mālā, as your wife.
आदौ भवेद्गृही लोको वानप्रस्थस्ततः परम् 1.24.
First, one should be a householder; later, one may become a forest-dweller.
वैष्णवानां हरेरर्चा तपस्या च श्रुतौ श्रुता
The worship of Hari by Vaiṣṇavas, and austerity, are both praised in the scriptures.
वैष्णव त्वं गृहे तिष्ठ कुरु कृष्णपदार्चनम्
O Vaiṣṇava, remain in the house and perform worship at the feet of Kṛṣṇa.
नान्तर्बाह्ये हरिर्यस्य तस्य किं तपसाऽनघ
O sinless one, what is the use of austerity for him in whom Hari is not found within or without?
यत्र तत्र कृतं कृष्णसेवनं परमं तपः
Wherever service to Kṛṣṇa is performed, that is the highest austerity.
गृही भव मुनिश्रेष्ठ गृहिणां सर्वदा सुखम्
Become a householder, O best of sages; householders always have happiness.
तद्दर्शनमुपस्पर्शं वाञ्छन्त्येव मुमुक्षवः
Those who seek liberation always desire to see or touch such a one.
ततः सुखतमं पुत्रदर्शनं स्पर्शनं मुने
Therefore, O sage, the greatest happiness is to see and touch one's son.
पुत्रप्रयोजना कान्ता शतकान्ताप्रियः सुतः
A wife is for the sake of a son; a son is dearer than a hundred wives.
सर्वेभ्यो जयमन्विच्छेत्पुत्रादेकात्पराजयम्
One should seek victory over all, but defeat from one's own son.
अतः प्रियतमे पुत्रे न्यसेदात्मपरं धनम् उवाच वचनं तातं नारदो ज्ञानिनां वरः ।। 1.24.
Therefore, place your highest wealth in your dearest son. Thus Nārada, best of the wise, spoke to his father.
नारद उवाच प्रवर्त्तयत्यसन्मार्गे स दयालुः कथं पिता
Nārada said: How can a compassionate father set his son on the wrong path?
जलबुद्बुदवत्सर्वं संसारमतिनश्वरम्
All of worldly existence is as fleeting as a bubble on water.