क्रीडन्त्यश्च हसंत्यश्च गायन्त्यश्चैव ताः शुकम्
There, those women played, laughed, and sang to the parrot.
आरणेयस्तु शुद्धात्मा जितक्रोधो जितेन्द्रियः
Āraṇeya, pure in heart, master of anger and senses,
पादशौचं तु कृत्वा वै शुकः संध्यामुपास्य च
The parrot, having performed foot-cleansing and worshipped at twilight,
पूर्वरात्रे तु तत्रासौ भूत्वा ध्यानपरायणः
In the first part of the night, he became absorbed in meditation there.
ततः प्रातः समुत्थाय कृत्वा शौचमनन्तरम्
Then, rising in the morning, he performed purification immediately.
अनेन विधिना तत्र तदहःशेषमप्युत
In this manner, he spent the rest of that day there.
तां च रात्रिं नृपकुले वर्तयामास नारद
And he passed that night in the royal household, O Nārada.
पुरः पुरोहितं कृत्वा सर्वाण्यन्तः पुराणि च
Having placed the priest in front, and all the inner chambers as well,
महदासनमादाय सर्वरत्नविभूषितम्
He brought a great seat adorned with every kind of jewel.
तत्रोपविष्टं तं कार्ष्णिशास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा
There, he seated him, according to the rites prescribed in the Kārṣṇi tradition.
स च तांमन्त्रतः पूजां प्रतिगृह्य द्विजोत्तमः
And that best of twice-born, having received the worship with mantras,
उदारसत्त्वाभिजनो राजापि गुरुसूनवे
The king, noble in nature and lineage, addressed the son of his teacher.
किमागमनिमित्येव पर्यपृच्छद्विधानवित्
Knowing the proper procedure, he asked, 'What is the reason for your arrival?'
विदेहराजोह्याद्योमे जनको नाम विश्रुतः
The king of Videha, renowned as Janaka, is my ancestor.
प्रवृत्तौ च निवृत्तौ च सर्वं छेत्स्यत्यसंशयम्
In both activity and withdrawal, he will decide everything without doubt.
तन्मे धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठ यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि
Therefore, O best among those who uphold dharma, you should speak to me properly.
कथं च मोक्षः कर्तव्यो ज्ञानेन तपसापि वा
And how should liberation be attained—by knowledge, or by austerity?
कृतोपनयनस्तात भवेद्वेदपरायणः
Having undergone the initiation, O dear one, he should be devoted to the Veda.
देवतानां पितॄणां च ह्यतृष्णश्चानसूयकः
He should be free from thirst (desire) and envy toward the gods and ancestors.
अभ्यनुज्ञामनुप्राप्य समावर्तेत वै द्विजः
Having obtained permission, the twice-born should indeed return home.
अनसूयुर्यथान्यायमाहिताग्निरनादृते
Without envy, acting according to rule, maintaining the sacred fires, and not neglecting them.
तानेवाग्नीन्यथान्यायं पूजयन्नतिथिप्रियः
Honoring those very fires as prescribed, and being fond of guests.
निर्द्वन्द्वो वीतरागात्मा ब्रह्माश्रमपदे वसेत्
Free from dualities, with a mind devoid of passion, he should dwell in the stage of life devoted to Brahman.
न विना गुरुसंवासाज्ज्ञानस्याधिगमः स्मृतः
It is taught that knowledge is not attained without living with the teacher.
एतद्भवन्तं पृच्छामि तद्भवान्वक्तुमर्हति
I ask you this, sir; you are worthy to speak of it.
न विना गुरुसंबधाज्ज्ञानस्याधिगमस्तथा
Likewise, knowledge is not attained without connection to the teacher.
विज्ञाय कृतकृत्यस्तु तीर्णस्तत्रोभयं त्यजेत्
Having understood and accomplished his purpose, having crossed over, he should abandon both there.
कृत्वा शुभाशुभं कर्म मोक्षो नामेह लभ्यते
By performing good and bad deeds, liberation is not obtained here by name.
आसादयति शुद्धात्मा मोक्षं हि प्रथमाश्रमे
The pure-minded attains liberation indeed in the first stage of life.
त्रिधाश्रमेषु कोन्वर्थो भवेत्परमभीप्सतः
What, indeed, is the purpose in the three stages of life for one who seeks the highest?