वत्सरैर्नरमानैश्च युगानां च चतुष्टयम्
By years, by human measurements, and by the four yugas.
युगे नराणां शक्रायुर्मनोरायुः प्रकीर्त्तितम्
In a yuga, the lifespan of humans, of Indra, and of Manu is declared.
निपातो ब्रह्मणस्तत्र भवेत्प्राकृतिको लयः
There, the dissolution of Brahmā is said to be the natural dissolution.
चक्षुर्निमेषः सृष्टिश्च पुनरुन्मीलने तथा
The opening and closing of the eye is creation, and again, its reopening as well.
यथा पृथिव्या रेणूनामित्यूचे चन्द्रशेखरः
As are the particles of earth—so spoke Candraśekhara.
सृष्टिसूत्रस्वरूपं हि चान्यद्वृणु वरं सुर
The true nature of the thread of creation—choose another boon, O god.
आत्मनः पूर्वमैश्वर्य्यं वरयामास तत्र वै 2.36.
There, he chose his former sovereignty for himself.
नारद उवाच किं चकार गृहं गत्वा तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि
Nārada said: What did he do after going home? You should explain that to me.
नारायण उवाच वैराग्यं वर्द्धयामास तदा ब्रह्मन्दिने दिने
Nārāyaṇa said: Then, day by day, he increased his detachment during Brahmā's day.
मुनिस्थानाद्गृहं गत्वा स ददर्शामरावतीम्
Going home from the sage's place, he saw Amarāvatī.
विषण्णबान्धवां चैव बन्धुहीनां च कुत्रचित्
He saw some with sorrowful relatives, and some who were without relatives.
शत्रुग्रस्तां च दृष्ट्वा तामगमद्वाक्पतिं प्रति
Seeing her afflicted by enemies, he approached the lord of speech.
ध्यायमानं परं ब्रह्म गङ्गातोये स्थितं परम्
He saw the Supreme Brahman, absorbed in meditation, standing in the waters of the Gaṅgā.
साश्रुनेत्रं पुलकितं परमानन्दसंयुतम्
With tearful eyes, thrilled, filled with supreme bliss.
श्रेष्ठं च वन्धुवर्गाणामतिश्रेष्ठं च मानिनाम्
Foremost among relatives, and the most excellent among the proud.
दृष्ट्वा गुरुं जपन्तं च तत्र तस्थौ सुरेश्वरः
Seeing the guru reciting, the lord of the gods stood there.
प्रणम्य चरणाम्भोजे रुरोदोच्चैर्मुहुर्मुर्हुः 2.37.
Having bowed to the lotus feet, he wept aloud again and again.
पुनर्वरो मया लब्धो ज्ञानिनामपि दुर्लभाम्
Once more, I have obtained a boon that is difficult even for the wise to attain.
शिष्यस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा सतां बुद्धिमतां वरः
Hearing the words of the disciple, the best among the virtuous and wise,
बृहस्पतिरुवाच न कातरो हि नीतिज्ञो विपत्तौ स्यात्कदाचन
Bṛhaspati said: One who knows what is right is never fearful in adversity.
सम्पत्तिर्वा विपत्तिर्वा नश्वरा स्वप्नरूपिणी
Prosperity or adversity is perishable, like a dream.
सर्वेषां च भ्रमत्येव शश्वज्जन्मनि जन्मनि
For all beings, it constantly wanders from birth to birth.
भुङ्क्ते हि स्वकृतं कर्म सर्वत्रापि च भारते
Indeed, one enjoys the results of one's own actions everywhere, even in Bhārata.
नाभुक्तं क्षीयते कर्म कल्पकोटिशतैरपि
No action remains without being experienced, even in hundreds of millions of aeons.
इत्येवमुक्तं वेदे च कृष्णेन परमात्मना
Thus it has been declared in the Veda by Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Self.
जन्म भोगावशेषे च सर्वेषां कृतकर्मणाम्
At the end of enjoyment in birth, for all who have acted,
कर्मणा ब्रह्मशापं च कर्मणा च शुभाशिषम् 2.37.
By action comes the curse of Brahmā, and by action also comes auspicious blessing.
कोटिजन्मार्जितं कर्म जीविनामनुगच्छति
The karma accumulated over millions of births follows living beings.
कालभेदे देशभेदे पात्रभेदे च कर्मणाम्
With the change of time, place, and recipient, the results of actions differ.
वस्तुदाने च वस्तूनां समं पुण्यं समे दिने
When giving objects on the same day, the merit is equal for those objects.