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?"
क्षुधितस्य च भुक्ते ऽन्ने तृप्तिर्ब्रह्मन्विजायते
When a hungry man eats food, O Brāhmaṇa, satisfaction arises.
वह्निना पार्थिवेनादौ दग्धे वै क्षुरापीश्वः
When the sacrificial blade is burned by fire or earth at first—
क्षुत्तृष्णे देहधर्माख्ये न ममैते यतो द्विज
Hunger and thirst, known as conditions of the body, do not belong to me, O twice-born.
मनसः स्वस्थता तुष्टिश्चित्तधर्माविमौ द्विज
Mental well-being and contentment—these two are qualities of the mind, O twice-born.
क्व निवासस्तवेत्युक्तं क्व गन्तासि च यत्त्वया
When you asked, 'Where is your dwelling?' and 'Where will you go?'
पुमान्सवर्गतो व्यापीत्याकाशवदयं यतः
Know that the person is all-pervading by nature, like space itself.
सो ऽहं गन्ता न चागन्ता नैकदेशनिकेतनः
I am the one who goes, yet not one who comes; I have no fixed abode in any single place.
मिष्टन्ने मिष्टमित्येषा जिह्वा सा मे कृता तव
This tongue of mine, which says 'this is tasty,' was made by you.
मिष्टमेव यदामिष्टं तदेवोद्वेगकारणम्
Whatever is considered tasty, when it becomes distasteful, that alone is the cause of distress.
आदिमध्यावसानेषु किमन्नं रुचिकारणम्
At the beginning, middle, and end, what food is truly the cause of pleasure?