वदैतद्भवताभिहितं सुखानां परमा स्थितिरिति
Tell us, as you have declared, what is the supreme state of happiness.
न तदुपगृह्णीमो न ह्येषामृषीणां महति स्थितानाम्
We do not accept that, for such a state does not exist among these great sages.
तपसि श्रूयते त्रिलोककृद्ब्रह्मा प्रभुरेकाकी तिष्टति ब्रह्मचारी न कामसुखोष्वात्मानमवदधाति
It is heard that in austerity, Brahmā, the lord who created the three worlds, stands alone, a celibate, not delighting in sensual pleasures.
अपि च भगवान्विश्वेश्वर उमापतिः काममभिवर्तमानमनङ्गत्वेन सममनयत्
Moreover, the blessed Lord of the universe, Śiva, the husband of Umā, subdued desire itself, making it powerless.
तस्माद्भूमौ न तु महात्मभिरञ्जयति गृहीतो न त्वेष तावद्विशिष्टो गुणविशेष इति
Therefore, the earth is not adorned by the great souls; when possessed, it is not so distinguished as a special virtue.
नैतद्भगवतः प्रत्येमि भवता तूक्तं सुखानां परमाः स्त्रिय इति लोकप्रवादो हि द्विविधः फलोदयः सुकृतात्सुखमवाप्यते ऽन्यथा दुःखमिति
I do not accept this, O blessed one, that you have said women are the highest of pleasures; for it is the common saying that there are two kinds of results: happiness is gained from good deeds, otherwise suffering arises.
अत्रोच्यते अनृतात्खलु तमः प्रादुर्भूतं ततस्तमोग्रस्ता अधर्ममेवानुवर्तन्ते न धर्मं क्रोधलोभमोहहिंसानृतादिभिखच्छन्नाः खल्वस्मिंल्लोके नामुत्र सुखमाप्नुवन्ति विविधव्याधिरुजोपतापैरवकीर्यन्ते वधबन्धनपरिक्लेशादिभिश्च क्षुत्पिपासाश्रमकृतैरुपतापैरुपतप्यन्ते वर्षवातात्युष्णातिशीतकृतैश्च प्रतिभयैः शारीरैर्दुःखैरुपतप्यन्ते बन्धुधनविनाशविप्रयोगकृतैश्च मानसैः शौकैरभिभूयन्ते जरामृत्युकृतैश्चान्यैरिति यस्त्वेतैः
Here it is said: truly, from falsehood darkness arises; then, those enveloped by darkness follow only unrighteousness, not righteousness, being covered in this world by anger, greed, delusion, violence, falsehood, and the like; they do not attain happiness hereafter, but are afflicted by various diseases and pains, scattered by suffering such as killing, bondage, and other torments, tormented by afflictions caused by hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and by terrifying bodily pains from rain, wind, excessive heat, and cold; they are overwhelmed by mental grief from the loss and separation of relatives and wealth, and by other sufferings caused by old age and death.
नित्यमेव सुखं स्वर्गे सुखं दुःखमिहोभयम्
In heaven, happiness is constant; here, there is both happiness and suffering.
पृथिवी सर्वभूतानां जनित्री तद्विधाः स्त्रियः
The earth is the mother of all beings, and women are of the same nature.
इत्येतल्लोकनिर्माता धर्मस्य चरितस्य च
Thus, she is the creator of the worlds and of righteous conduct.
हुतेन शाम्यते पापं स्वाध्याये शान्तिरुत्तमा
Sin is pacified by offering, and the highest peace is through self-study.
दानं तु द्विविधं प्राहुः परत्रार्थमिहैव च
They declare that giving is of two kinds: for the sake of the next world and for this world alone.
यादृशं दीयते दानं तादृशं फलमश्नुते
As is the gift that is given, so is the fruit that one enjoys.
धर्मः कतिविधो वापि तद्भवान्वक्तुमर्हति
Of how many kinds is righteousness? You, sir, are worthy to speak of that.
तेषां स्वर्गपलावाप्तिर्यो ऽन्यथा स विमुह्यते
Of these, those who attain the fruit of heaven—whoever thinks otherwise is deluded.
तेषां स्वे स्वे समाचारास्तन्मे वक्तुमिहार्हसि
Of their respective practices, you should tell me here.
पूर्वमेव भगवता ब्रह्मणा लोकहितमनुतिष्टता धर्मसंरक्षणार्थमाश्रमाश्चत्वारो ऽभिनिर्द्दिष्टाः
Formerly, the Blessed Lord Brahma, acting for the welfare of the worlds, established the four orders of life for the protection of righteousness.
तत्र गुरुकुलवासमेव प्रथममाश्रममाहरन्ति सम्यगत्र शौचसस्कारनियमव्रतविनियतात्मा उभे संध्ये भास्कराग्निदैवतान्युपस्थाय विहाय तद्ध्यालस्यं गुरोरभिवादनवेदाब्यासश्रवणपवित्रघीकृतान्तरात्मा त्रिषवणमुपस्पृश्य ब्रह्मचर्याग्निपरिचरणगुरुशुश्रूषा नित्यभिक्षाभैक्ष्यादिसर्वनिवेदितान्तरात्मा गुरुवचननिदेशानुष्टानाप्रतिकूलो गुरुप्रसादलब्धस्वाध्यायतत्परः स्यात्
Among these, residence in the teacher’s house is called the first order; here, one should be self-controlled by purity, discipline, observances, and vows, worship the sun, fire, and deities at both twilights, abandoning laziness, salute the teacher, purify the inner self by study and listening to the Vedas, touch water thrice daily, serve celibacy, tend the sacred fire, serve the teacher, daily beg for alms, dedicate all to the teacher, never act against the teacher’s commands, and, obtaining the teacher’s favor, be devoted to study.
इति गार्हस्थ्यं खलु द्वितीयमाश्रमं वदन्ति
Thus, householdership is indeed called the second order.
समावृतानां सदाचाराणां सहधर्मचर्यफलार्थिनां गृहाश्रमो विधीयते
For those who have completed their studies, who are of good conduct, and who desire the fruit of following righteous duties together, the householder’s order is prescribed.
धर्मार्थकामावाप्तिर्ह्य.त्र त्रिवर्गसाधनमपेक्ष्यागर्हितकर्मणा धनान्यादाय स्वाध्यायोपलब्धप्रकर्षेण वा ब्रह्मर्षिनिर्मितेन वा अद्भिः सागरगतेन वा द्रव्यनियमाभ्यासदैवतप्रसादोपलब्धेन वा धनेन गृहस्थो गार्हस्थ्यं वर्तयेत्
The attainment of righteousness, wealth, and desire—indeed, the means to the three aims—should be pursued; having obtained wealth by blameless actions, or by what is gained through study, or what is made by sages, or by water from the ocean, or by practice of discipline, or by the favor of deities, the householder should maintain household life.
तद्धि सर्वाश्रमणां मूलमुदाहरन्ति गुरुकुलनिवासिनः परिव्राजका ये ऽन्ये संकल्पितव्रतनियमधर्मानुष्टानिनस्तेषामप्यन्तरा च भिक्षाबलिसंविभागाः प्रवर्तन्ते
This, indeed, is declared to be the root of all the orders of life; for those residing with the teacher, for wanderers, and for others who practice vows and discipline, even among them, sharing of alms and offerings takes place.
वानप्रस्थानां च द्रव्योपस्कार इति प्रायशः खल्वेते साधवः साधुपथ्योदनाः स्वाध्यायप्रसंगिनस्तीर्थाभिगमनदेशदर्शनार्थं पृथिवीं पर्यटन्ति
As for the forest-dwellers, their possessions and implements are few; indeed, these virtuous ones subsist on wholesome food, devoted to study, and wander the earth to visit holy places and see sacred sites.
तेषां प्रत्युत्थानाभिगमनमनसूयावाक्यदानसुखसत्कारासनसुखशयनाभ्यवहारसत्क्रिया चेति
For them, rising in welcome, approaching, speaking without envy, offering pleasant hospitality, providing seats and comfortable beds, and proper service are prescribed.
स दत्त्वा दुष्कृतं तस्मै पुण्यमादाय गच्छति
He who gives to them relinquishes his sins and departs, having acquired merit.
अपि चात्र यज्ञक्रियाभिर्देवताः प्रीयन्ते निवापेन पितरो विद्याभ्यासश्रवणधारणेन ऋषयः अपत्योत्पादनेन प्रजापतिरिति
Moreover, in this context, the gods are pleased by sacrificial rites, the ancestors by offerings, the sages by study, listening, and retention of knowledge, and the Creator by the generation of offspring.
परितापोदपघातश्च पारुष्यं चात्र गर्हितम्
Here, excessive austerity, harm, and harshness are condemned.
अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोदं सर्वाश्रमगतं तपः
Nonviolence, truthfulness, absence of anger—these are austerities practiced in all stages of life.
अपि चात्र माल्याभरणवस्त्राभ्यङ्गनित्योपभोगनृत्यगीतवादित्रश्रुतिसुखनयनस्नेहरामादर्शनानां प्राप्तिर्भक्ष्यभोज्यलेह्यपेयचोष्याणामभ्यवहार्य्याणां विविधानामुपभोगः
Furthermore, the enjoyment of garlands, ornaments, clothing, oiling, constant pleasures, music, dance, the delight of hearing instruments, the sight of beloved faces, and the consumption of various foods, drinks, and delicacies are permitted.
स सुखान्यनुभूयेह शिष्टानां गतिमाप्नुयात्
He may experience these pleasures here and attain the destiny of the virtuous.