वामदेवो महायोगी रुद्रः किल पिनाकधृक्
Vamadeva, the great yogi, is indeed Rudra, the wielder of Pinaka.
अर्जुनाय स्वयं साक्षात् दत्तवानिदमुत्तमम्
He himself directly gave this supreme teaching to Arjuna.
विशेषाद् गिरिशे भक्तिस्तस्मादारभ्य मे ऽभवत्
From then on, my devotion to Girisha became especially strong.
भूतेशं गिरशं स्थाणुं देवदेवं त्रिशूलिनम्
Seek refuge in Bhutesha, Girisha, Sthanu, the god of gods, the trident-bearer.
प्रपद्यध्वं सपत्नीकाः सपुत्राः शरणं शिवम्
All of you, with your wives and sons, take shelter in Shiva.
पूजयध्वं महादेवं गोपतिं भूतिभूषणम्
Worship Mahadeva, the lord of cows, adorned with ashes.
प्रणेमुः शाश्वतं स्थाणुं व्यासं सत्यवतीसुतम्
They bowed to Sthanu, the eternal one, and to Vyasa, son of Satyavati.
साक्षादेव हृषीकेशं सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम्
They also bowed directly to Hrishikesha, the great lord of all worlds.
इदानीं जायते भक्तिर्या देवैरपि दुर्लभा
Now arises that devotion which is difficult to attain even for the gods.
येनासौ भगवानीशः समाराध्यो मुमुक्षुभिः
By which that blessed Lord, the Master, is worshipped by those who seek liberation.
तद्वदाखिललोकानां रक्षणं धर्मसंग्रहम्
In the same way, the protection of all worlds and the collection of dharma—
पृष्टेन मुनिभिः पूर्वं शक्रेणामृतमन्थने
Were formerly asked about by the sages and by Indra during the churning of nectar.
मुनीनां भाषितं कृष्णः प्रोवाच सुसमाहितः
Krishna, with mind well-composed, spoke what was said by the sages.
सनत्कुमारप्रमुखैः सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
By Sanatkumara and the foremost sages, one is freed from all sins.
यो वा विचारयेदर्थं स याति परमां गतिम्
Whoever reflects upon this meaning attains the supreme state.
सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो ब्रह्मलोके महीयते
Freed from all sins, he is honored in the world of Brahma.
श्रोतव्यश्चाथ मन्तव्यो विशेषाद् ब्राह्मणैः सदा
It should be heard and considered, especially by Brahmins, always.
कर्मयोगं ब्राह्मणानामात्यन्तिकफलप्रदम्
The path of action for Brahmins grants the highest fruit.
ऋषीणां शृण्वतां पूर्वं मनुराह प्रजापतिः
Formerly, Manu, the lord of creatures, spoke to the listening sages.
समाहितधियो यूयं शृणुध्वं गदतो मम
You, whose minds are composed, listen as I speak.
गर्भाष्टमे ऽष्टमे वाब्दे स्वसूत्रोक्तविधानतः
In the eighth month of pregnancy or in the eighth year, according to the rule stated in one's own sutra—
भिक्षाहारो गुरुहितो वीक्षमाणो गुरुर्मुखम्
Living on alms, devoted to the teacher, looking at the teacher’s face—
ब्राह्मणानां त्रिवित् सूत्रं कौशं वा वस्त्रमेव वा
For Brahmins, the three-threaded cord, or a garment of cloth, is prescribed.
अन्यथा यत् कृतं कर्म तद् भवत्ययथाकृतम्
Whatever act is done otherwise, that becomes improperly performed.
तदेव परिधानीयं शुक्लमच्छिद्रमुत्तमम्
That alone should be worn—pure white, without blemish, and excellent.
अभावे गव्यमजिनं रौरवं वा विधीयते
In its absence, a garment of cow-hide or of ruru-deer is prescribed.
उपवीतं भवेन्नित्यं निवीतं कण्ठसज्जने
The sacred thread should always be worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm, except when it is worn around the neck in mourning.
प्राचीनावीतमित्युक्तं पित्र्ये कर्मणि योजयेत्
When the thread is placed over the right shoulder and under the left arm, it is called 'prācīnāvīta,' and should be used in rites for the ancestors.
स्वाध्याये भोजने नित्यं ब्राह्मणानां च सन्निधौ
One should always wear the thread over the left shoulder during study of the Veda, while eating, and in the presence of Brahmins.
उपवीती भवेन्नित्यं विधिरेष सनातनः
One should always wear the sacred thread in the prescribed manner; this is the eternal rule.