ऋग्यजुःसामनिष्पाद्यं यज्ञकर्म मतं तव
The sacrificial act accomplished through Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāman is considered by you.
यत्तु निष्पाद्यते कार्यं मृदा कारणभूतया
But that which is accomplished as an act by means of clay as the material cause,
एवं विनाशिभिर्द्रव्यैः समिदाज्यकुशादिभिः
So too, by perishable substances such as fuel, ghee, kuśa grass, and the like,
अनाशी परमार्थस्तु प्राज्ञैरभ्युपगम्यते
The imperishable is accepted by the wise as the highest purpose.
तदेवापलदं कर्म परमार्थो मतो मम
That alone is the action yielding no fruit; I consider it the highest purpose.
ध्यानमेवात्मनो भूपपरमार्थार्थशब्दितम्
Meditation upon the self, O king, is what is called the highest purpose.
परमार्थात्मनोर्योगः परमार्थ इतीष्यते
The union of the highest and the self is regarded as the highest purpose.
तस्माच्छ्रेयांस्यशेषाणि नृपैतानि न संशयः
Therefore, O king, these are the best of all, without exception—there is no doubt.
एको व्यापी समः शुद्धो निर्गुण प्रकृतेः परः
He is one, all-pervading, equal, pure, without qualities, beyond nature.
परिज्ञानमयो सद्भिर्नामजात्यादिभिविभुः
He is known by true knowledge by the good, transcending name, class, and the rest.
तस्यात्मपरदेहेषु सतो ऽप्येकमयं हि तत्
In his own and others’ bodies, though existent, it is truly one essence.
वेणुरङ्घ्रविभेदेन भेदः षङ्जादिसंज्ञितः
Difference, called by names such as flute and foot, arises from distinctions.
एकत्वं रूपभेदश्च वाह्यकर्मप्रवृत्तिजः
Oneness and difference of form arise from external actions.
शृण्वत्र भूप प्राग्वृत्तं यद्गीतमृभुणा भवेत्
Hear now, O king, what was formerly sung by the sage Ṛbhu.
ऋभुर्नामाबवत्पुत्रो ब्रह्मणः परमेष्टिनः
There was a son named Ṛbhu, born to Brahmā, the supreme creator.
तस्य शिष्यो निदाघो ऽभूत्पुलस्त्यतनयः पुरा
In ancient times, Nidāgha, the son of Pulastya, became his disciple.
अवाप्तज्ञान तत्त्वस्य न तस्याद्वैतवासना
Having attained knowledge of the truth, he had no inclination toward non-duality.
देविकायास्तटे वीर नागरं नाम वै पुरम्
O hero, on the bank of the Devikā river, there was a city named Nāgara.
रम्योपवनपर्यन्तं स तस्मिन्पार्थवोत्तम
That city, O best of the Bharatas, was surrounded by delightful gardens.
दिव्ये वर्षसहस्रे तु समतीते ऽस्य तत्पुरम्
When a thousand divine years had passed, that city of his—
स तस्य वैश्वदेवन्ति द्वारालोकनगोचरः
He, visible at the gate, was seen as Vaiśvadeva.
प्रक्षालिताङ्घ्रिपाणिं च कृतासनपरिग्रहम्
With hands and feet washed, and having taken his seat,
भो विप्रवर्य भोक्तव्यं यदत्र भवतो गृहे
"O best of Brāhmaṇas, whatever food is to be eaten in your house—"
सक्तुयावकव्रीहीनामपूपानां च मे गृहे
"In my house are saktu, yāvaka, rice, and cakes—"
कदन्नानि दिजैतानि मिष्टमन्नं प्रयच्छ मे
"Give me, O twice-born, cooked food, even if it is simple or delicious."
गृहे शालिनि मद्गेहे यत्किञ्चिदति शोभनम्
"Whatever good food there is in my house, with rice or barley—"
इत्युक्ता तेन सा पत्नी मिष्टमन्नं द्विजस्य तत्
Thus addressed by him, his wife gave that delicious food to the Brāhmaṇa.
न भुक्तवन्तमिच्छातो मिष्टमन्नं महामुनिम्
The great sage, though offered delicious food, did not wish to eat.
अपि ते परमा तृप्तिरुत्पन्ना पुष्टिरेव
"Has supreme satisfaction or nourishment arisen for you?"
क्व निवासी भवान्विप्र क्व वा गन्तुं समुद्यतः
"Where do you dwell, O Brāhmaṇa, and where are you intending to go?"