शीर्णपर्णाशनं दृष्ट्वा वेदमालिर्ननाम तम्
Seeing him subsisting on fallen leaves, Vedamali bowed to him.
कन्दमूलफलाद्यैस्तु नारायणधिया मुने
O sage, with roots, tubers, fruits, and the like, his mind fixed on Narayana—
विनयावनतो भूत्वा प्रोवाच वदतां वरम्
Humbly bowing, he spoke to the best of speakers.
मामुद्धर महाभाग ज्ञानदानेन पण्डित
"Lift me up, O greatly fortunate one, O wise one, by giving me knowledge."
प्रोवाच प्रहसन्वाग्मी वेदमालिं गुणान्वितम्
Smiling, the eloquent one spoke to Vedamali, who was endowed with virtues.
प्रवक्ष्यामि समासेन दुर्लभं त्वकृतात्मनाम्
"I shall briefly tell you what is difficult for those who have not mastered themselves."
परापवादं पैशुन्यं कदाचिदपि मा कृथाः
"Never engage in slander or malicious gossip."
हरिपूजापरश्चैव त्यज मूर्खसमागमम्
"Be devoted to the worship of Hari, and avoid the company of fools."
परित्यज्यात्मवल्लोकं दृष्ट्वा शान्तिं गमिष्यसि
"Renouncing the world as you would your own body, you will attain peace."
द्रंभाचारमहॄङ्कारं नैष्ठुर्यं च परित्यज
"Abandon hypocrisy, arrogance, and harshness."
त्वया कृतांश्च धर्मान्वै मा प्रकाशय पुच्छताम्
"Do not reveal the righteous acts you have performed, even if asked."
पूजयस्वातियिं नित्यं स्वकुटुंबाविरोधतः
"Always honor guests, without conflict with your own family."
पूजयस्व जगन्नाथं नारायणमकां मतः
"Worship the Lord of the universe, Narayana, as I consider best."
अग्रेश्च विधिवद्वप्र परिचर्यापरो भव
"And at the front, according to the rules, be devoted to service."
तथोपलेपनं चैव कुरुष्व सुसमाहितः
"Likewise, perform the anointing with great attention."
मार्गशोभां च दीपं च विष्णोरायतने कुरु
"Make the path beautiful and provide a lamp in Vishnu’s temple."
प्रदक्षिणनमस्कारैः स्तोत्राणां पठनैस्तथा
"With circumambulations, salutations, and recitation of hymns—"
वेदान्तपठनं चैव प्रत्यहं कुरु शक्तितः
"And also daily recite the Vedanta, as much as you are able."
ज्ञानात्समस्तपापानां मोक्षो भवति निश्चितम्
Liberation from all sins is certainly attained through knowledge.
तथा ज्ञानरतो नित्यं ज्ञानलेशमवाप्तवान्
Thus, one who is always devoted to knowledge has obtained even a trace of wisdom.
को ऽहं मम क्रिया केति स्वयमेव व्यक्तिन्तयत्
Who am I? What are my actions? He himself reflected thus.
एवं विचारणपरोः दिवानिशमतन्द्रितः
Absorbed in such inquiry, he remained tireless day and night.
पुनर्जानन्तिमागम्य प्रणम्येदमुवाच ह
Having again approached the knower, he bowed and spoke these words.
को ऽहं मम क्रिया का च मम जन्म कथं वद
Who am I? What are my actions? What is my birth? Tell me.
अविद्यानिलर्य चित्तं कथं सद्भावगगमेष्यति
How will the mind, driven by the wind of ignorance, attain true existence?
अहॄङ्कारो मनोधर्म आत्मनो नहि पण्डित
Ego and the workings of the mind do not belong to the self, O wise one.
मम जात्यादि शून्यस्य कथं नाम करोम्यहम्
How can I, who am void of caste and other attributes, perform any action?
नीरूपस्याप्रमेयस्य कथं नाम करोम्यहम्
How can I, who am without form and immeasurable, perform any action?
अविच्छिन्नस्वभावस्य कथ्यते च कथं क्रिया
How is action spoken of for one whose nature is uninterrupted?
अनन्तस्य क्रिया चैव कथं जन्म च कथ्यते
How are action and birth described for the infinite?