भवत्येव धृतं स्थानमैश्वरं तिलके कृते
Indeed, the divine state is attained when the tilaka is applied.
त्रियायुषं च भक्तानां त्रयाणां विधिपूर्वकम्
For the devotees of the three, a threefold lifespan is obtained according to the prescribed rule.
शान्तो दान्तो जितक्रोधो वर्णाश्रमविधानवित्
Peaceful, self-controlled, having conquered anger, and knowing the rules of varna and ashrama—
तेषां संस्थानमचलं सो ऽचिरादधिगच्छति
He quickly attains their unshakable state.
इदानीं क्रममस्माकमाश्रमाणां वद प्रभो
Now, O Lord, tell us the order of our stages of life.
क्रमेणैवाश्रमाः प्रोक्ताः कारणादन्यथा भवेत्
The stages of life are to be followed in order; otherwise, due to some reason, it may be otherwise.
प्रव्रजेद् ब्रह्मचर्यात् तु यदिच्छेत् परमां गतिम्
One may renounce after the stage of studentship, if one desires the highest state.
यजेदुत्पादयेत् पुत्रान् विरक्तो यदि संन्यसेत्
One should perform sacrifices or beget sons; if detached, one may renounce.
नगार्हस्थ्यं गृहीत्यक्त्वा संन्यसेद् बुद्धिमान् द्विजः
A wise twice-born, having abandoned household life, may renounce.
तत्रैव संन्यसेद् विद्वाननिष्ट्वापि द्विजोत्तमः
There itself, even without performing the prescribed rites, a learned twice-born may renounce.
तपस्तप्त्वा तपोयोगाद् विरक्तः संन्यसेद् यदि
Having performed austerities, if one becomes detached through the practice of austerity, one may renounce.
न संन्यासी वनं चाथ ब्रह्माचर्यं न साधकः
He is not a renunciant who merely goes to the forest, nor is one who practices celibacy thereby accomplished.
प्रव्रजेत गृही विद्वान् वनाद् वा श्रुतिचोदनात्
A learned householder or one dwelling in the forest should renounce, as enjoined by the scriptures.
अन्धः पङ्गुर्दरिद्रो वा विरक्तः संन्यसेद् द्विजः
Even if blind, lame, or poor, a twice-born who is detached may renounce.
पतत्येवाविरक्तो यः संन्यासं कर्तुमिच्छति
He who is not detached but wishes to renounce surely falls.
श्रद्धावनाश्रमे युक्तः सो ऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते
One who is devoted and established in his stage of life is fit for immortality.
स्वधर्मपालको नित्यं सो ऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते
He who always upholds his own duty is fit for immortality.
प्रसन्नेनैव मनसा कुर्वाणो याति तत्पदम्
Acting with a serene mind, one attains that supreme state.
ब्रह्मैव दीयते चेति ब्रह्मार्पणमिदं परम्
Brahman alone is offered, and this supreme offering is to Brahman.
एतद् ब्रह्मार्पणं प्रोक्तमृषिभिः तत्त्वदर्शिभिः
This offering to Brahman is declared by seers who see the truth.
करोति सततं बुद्ध्या ब्रह्मार्पणमिदं परम्
He who always acts with understanding makes this supreme offering to Brahman.
कर्मणामेतदप्याहुः ब्रह्मार्पणमनुत्तमम्
Even actions are said to be this unsurpassed offering to Brahman.
क्रियते विदुषा कर्म तद्भवेदपि मोक्षदम्
When a wise person performs action, that action can indeed lead to liberation.
अकृत्वा फलसंन्यासं बध्यते तत्फलेन तु
But without renouncing the fruits of action, one becomes bound by those very results.
अविद्वानपि कुर्वोत कर्माप्नोत्यचिरात् पदम्
Even an unlearned person, if he acts, quickly attains the supreme state.
मनः प्रसादमन्वेति ब्रह्म विज्ञायते ततः
Serenity of mind arises, and then Brahman is realized.
ज्ञानं च कर्मसहितं जायते दोषवर्जितम्
Knowledge, together with action, arises free from fault.
कर्माणीश्वरतुष्ट्यर्थं कुर्यान्नैष्कर्म्यमाप्नुयात्
One should perform actions for the satisfaction of the Lord; thus, one attains freedom from action.
एकाकी निर्ममः शान्तो जीवन्नेव विमुच्यते
Alone, free from possessiveness, peaceful, one is liberated even while living.
नित्यानन्दं निराभासं तस्मिन्नेव लयं व्रजेत्
One merges into that which is eternal bliss, without appearance.