अपद्धस्तवपुः सो ऽपि मलिनांबरधृङ् मुने
He too, O sage, had a misshapen body and wore soiled garments.
संमानेन परां हानिं योगर्द्धेः कुरुते यतः
Because honor brings great loss to the power of yoga,
तस्माञ्चरेत वै योगी सतां धर्ममदूषयन्
Therefore, a yogi should act without corrupting the dharma of the virtuous.
हिरण्यगर्भवचनं विचिन्त्येत्थं महामतिः
Reflecting thus on the words of Hiranyagarbha, the great-minded one...
भुङ्क्ते कुल्माषवटकान् शाकं त्रन्यफलं कणान्
He eats coarse grain cakes, vegetables, wild fruit, and seeds.
पितर्युपरते सो ऽथ भ्रातृभ्रातृव्यबान्धवैः
When his father has passed away, he remains with brothers, cousins, and relatives.
सरूक्षपीनावयवो जडकारी च कर्मणि
His limbs are rough and swollen, and he acts sluggishly in his tasks.
तं तादृशमसंस्कारं विप्राकृतिविचेष्टितम्
Such a person, lacking proper refinement, behaves in a manner unbefitting a Brahmin.
स राजा शिबिकारूढो गन्तुं कृतमतिर्द्विज
That king, mounted on a palanquin, resolved to depart, O Brahmin.
श्रेयः किमत्र संसारे दुःखप्राये नृणामिति
He pondered, 'What is the highest good in this world, which is mostly full of suffering for people?'
उवाह शिबिकामस्य क्षत्तुर्वचनचोदितः
He carried the palanquin, prompted by the words of the attendant.
गृहीतो विष्टिना विप्र सर्वज्ञानैकभाजनम्
The Brahmin, the sole vessel of all knowledge, was seized by the palanquin-bearer.
ययौ जडगतिस्तत्र युगमात्रावलोकनम्
He moved with sluggish gait there, glancing only for a moment.
विलोक्य नृपतिः सो ऽथ विषमं शिबिकागतम्
The king then observed the uneven movement of the palanquin.
पुनस्तथैव शिबिकां विलोक्य विषमां हसन्
Again, seeing the palanquin uneven, he laughed.
शिबिकावाहकाः प्रोचुरयं यातीत्यसत्वरम्
The palanquin-bearers said, 'He is proceeding, but not swiftly.'
किमायाससहो न त्वं पीवा नासि निरीक्ष्यसे
'Why do you not endure the effort? You are not stout, nor do you appear strong.'
न श्रान्तो ऽस्मि न चायासो वोढान्यो ऽस्ति महीपते
'I am not tired, nor is there any strain; there is no other carrier, O king.'
श्रमश्च भारो द्वहने भवत्येव हि देहिनाम्
Fatigue and burden in carrying indeed arise for embodied beings.
बलवानबलश्चेति वाच्यं पश्चाद्विशेषणम्
To say one is strong or weak is only a subsequent distinction.
मिथ्या तदप्यत्र भवान् शृणोतु वचनं मम
Even that is false; but you, sir, listen to my words.
ऊरु जङ्घाद्वयावस्थौ तदाधारं तथोदरम्
The thighs and the two shanks are the supports, as is the abdomen.
स्कन्धाश्रितयें शिबिका ममाधारो ऽत्र किङ्कृतः
This palanquin is supported by the shoulders; what role do I play here as its bearer?
तत्र त्वमहमप्यत्रेत्युच्यते चेदमन्यथा
If it is said that you and I are both present here, then this must be explained differently.
गुणप्रवाहपतितो भूतवर्गो ऽपि यात्ययम्
Even the multitude of beings, caught in the current of qualities, proceeds in this way.
अविद्यासंचितं कर्मतश्चाशेषेषु जन्तुषु
Because of ignorance and actions accumulated, countless beings are thus bound.
प्रवृद्ध्यपचयौ न स्त एकस्याखिलजन्तुषु
Increase and decrease do not occur in the same way for all beings.
तदापि बालिशो ऽसि त्वं कया युक्त्या त्वयेरितम्
Still, you are childish; by what reasoning have you spoken thus?
शिबिकेयं यदा स्कन्धे तदा भारः समस्त्वया
When this palanquin is on your shoulder, then the burden is entirely yours.
शैलद्रुमगृहोत्थो ऽपि पृथिवीसंभवो ऽपि च
Whether it is made of mountain, tree, or house, or even if it arises from the earth,