तत्र पश्य कुशलान्न शोचते जायते यदि भयं पदं सदा
There, seeing the skillful, he does not grieve; even if fear arises, it is always a passing state.
यज्ज्ञात्वा मुच्यते ब्रह्मन्नरस्त्रिविधतापतः
O Brahman, knowing which a man is freed from the threefold suffering,
यं ज्ञात्वा शाश्वतीं सिद्धिं गच्छन्तीह महर्षयः
Knowing which, the great sages here attain eternal perfection,
महर्षयो ज्ञानतृप्ता निर्वाणगतमानसाः
The great sages, satisfied in knowledge, their minds gone to liberation,
जन्मदोषपारीक्षीणाः स्वभावे पर्यवस्थिताः
Having exhausted the faults of birth, they abide in their own true nature.
असंगान्य विधादीनि मनः शान्तिकराणि च
Detached from all actions, and those that bring peace to the mind,
पिण्डीकृत्येन्द्रियग्राममासीनः काष्टवन्मुनिः
Having gathered the group of senses, the sage sits like a log.
रूपं न चक्षुषा विन्द्याज्जिह्वया न रसांस्तथा
He does not perceive form with his eyes, nor tastes with his tongue.
पञ्चवर्गप्रमाथीनि नेच्छेञ्चैतानि वीर्यवान्
He, strong in will, does not desire these five groups that disturb.
समादध्यान्मनो भ्रान्तमिन्द्रियैः सह पञ्चभिः
He restrains his mind, which is distracted together with the five senses.
पूर्वध्यानपथे धीरः समादध्यान्मनस्त्वरा
The steadfast one should firmly direct his mind upon the earlier path of meditation, with urgency.
एष ध्यानपथः पूर्वो भया समनुवर्णितः
This earlier path of meditation has been described in detail, along with its dangers.
स्फुरिष्यति समुद्रान्ता विद्युदम्बुधरे यथा
It will flash forth, reaching the ocean's edge, like lightning in a rain cloud.
एवमेवास्य चित्तं च भवति ध्यानवर्त्मनि
In the same way, his mind follows the course of meditation.
पुनर्वायुपथं भ्रान्तं मनो भवति वायुवत्
Again, the mind wanders along the path of the wind, just like the wind itself.
समादध्यात्पुनश्चेतो ध्यानेन ध्यानयोगवित्
The knower of meditation should once more steady his mind through meditation.
मुनेः समाधियुक्तस्य प्रथमं ध्यानमादितः
For the sage established in samadhi, meditation is first undertaken from the outset.
न निर्वेदं मुनिर्गच्छेत्कुर्यादेवात्मनो हितम्
The sage should not fall into despondency, but should act for the welfare of his own self.
सहसा वारिणा सिक्ता न यान्ति परिभावनाः
When soaked suddenly with water, the objects do not become fully saturated.
क्रमेण तु शनैर्गच्छत्सर्वं तत्परिभावनम्
But gradually, as the water moves slowly, everything becomes saturated.
संहरेत्क्रमशश्चैव सम्यक् तत्प्रशमिष्यति
He should gradually restrain it, and in this way, it will be completely pacified.
पूर्वं ध्यानपथे स्थाप्य नित्ययोगेन शाम्यति
First, placing it on the path of meditation, it becomes calm through constant practice.
सुखमेष्यति तत्तस्य यदेवं संयतात्मनः
Happiness will come to him who thus has a controlled self.
गच्छन्ति योगिनो ह्योवं निर्वाणं तु निरामयम्
Indeed, yogis proceed to that blissful nirvana, free from affliction.
भृगुं परमधर्मात्मा विस्मितः प्रत्यपूजयत्
The supremely righteous Bhṛgu, astonished, honored him.
निखिलेन महाप्राज्ञ किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि
O wise one, what else do you wish to hear in full?
पुनः पप्रच्छ तत्त्वज्ञो नारदो ऽध्यात्मसत्कथाम्
Again, the knower of truth, Nārada, asked about the noble discourse on the Self.
न च मे जायते तृप्तिर्भूयोभूयो ऽपि शृण्वतः
Nor does satisfaction arise for me, even as I listen again and again.
तथा कथय सर्वज्ञ मोक्षधर्मं सदाश्रितम्
O all-knowing one, speak also of the dharma of liberation, which is always upheld.
यथा मोक्षमनुप्राप्तो जनको मिथिलाधिपः
How did Janaka, the ruler of Mithila, attain liberation?