उदयं ज्योतिषां शश्वत्सोमादीनां करोति यः
He continually brings about the rising of the luminaries, such as the moon and others.
यश्चतुर्भ्यः समुद्रेभ्यो वायुर्द्धारयते जलम्
He, the wind, upholds water from the four oceans.
यो ऽद्धिः संयोज्य जीमूतान्पर्जन्याय प्रयच्छती
He, having gathered the clouds, gives them to Parjanya.
संनीयमाना बहुधा येन नीला महाघनाः
By whom, being brought together in many ways, the great blue clouds are formed.
यो ऽसौ वहति देवानां विमानानि विहायसा
He is the one who carries the celestial chariots of the gods through the sky.
येन वेगवता रुग्णाः क्रियन्ते तरुजा रसाः
By him, with swift force, the saps produced by trees are made to flow.
यस्मिन्परिप्लवे दिव्या वहॄन्त्यापो विहायसा
In whose flood the divine waters move through the sky.
दूरात्प्रतिहतो यस्मिन्नेकरश्मिर्दिवाकरः
In whom, being obstructed from afar, the sun with its single ray is checked.
यस्मादाप्यायते सोमो निधिर्दिव्यो ऽमृतस्य च
From whom Soma, the celestial treasury of nectar, is replenished.
सर्वप्राणभृतां प्राणार्न्यो ऽतकाले निरस्यति
He who, at the appointed time, withdraws the life-breath from all living beings.
सम्यगन्वीक्षता बुद्ध्या शान्तयाध्यात्मनित्यया
By one who observes rightly with intellect, calmed by constant self-discipline.
यं समासाद्य वेगेन दिशामन्तं प्रपेदिरे
Having encountered whom, they swiftly reached the ends of the directions.
येन वृष्ट्या पराभूतस्तोयान्येन निवर्तते
By whom, when overcome by rain, the waters are driven back.
एवमेते दितेः पुत्रा मरुतः परमाद्भुताः
Thus, these sons of Diti, the Maruts, are truly most wondrous.
एतत्तु महदाश्चर्यं यदयं पर्वतोत्तमः
This, too, is a great marvel: that this supreme mountain—
विष्णोर्निःश्वासवातो ऽयं यदा वेगसमीरितः
Is stirred by the wind of Viṣṇu’s breath, when it is impelled with force.
तस्माद्ब्रह्मविदो ब्रह्म न पठन्त्यतिवायुतः
Therefore, knowers of Brahman do not recite the Veda when the wind is too strong.
एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं पराशरसुतः प्रभुः
Having spoken thus, the lordly son of Parāśara—
ततो व्यासे गते स्नातुं शुको ब्रह्मविदां वरः
Then, when Vyāsa had gone to bathe, Śuka, the best of knowers of Brahman—
तत्र स्वाध्यायसंसक्तं शुकं व्याससुतं मुने
There, the sage saw Śuka, son of Vyāsa, absorbed in self-study.
उत्थाय सत्कृतस्तेन ब्रह्मपुत्रो हि कार्ष्णिना
Rising, he was honored by him, for the son of Kṛṣṇa-Dvaipāyana is indeed a son of Brahmā.
किं करोषि महाभाग व्यासपुत्र महाद्युते
What are you doing, illustrious one, O son of Vyāsa, great in splendor?
त्वद्दर्शनमनुप्राप्तः केनापि सुकृतेन च
By some great merit, I have attained your audience.
तद्वदस्व महाभाग यथा त ज्ज्ञानमाप्नुयाम्
Therefore, O illustrious one, tell me how I may attain that knowledge.
नास्ति रागसमं दुःखं नास्ति त्यागसमं सुखम्
There is no suffering equal to attachment, nor happiness equal to renunciation.
सद्वृत्तिः समुदाचारः श्रेय एतदनुत्तमम्
Good conduct and noble behavior—this is the highest good.
नालं स दुःखमोक्षाय संगो वै दुःखलक्षणः
Association is not sufficient for liberation from suffering; indeed, association is characterized by suffering.
मोहजालावृतो दुःखमिहामुत्र तथाश्नुते
Enveloped by the net of delusion, one experiences suffering both here and hereafter.
कार्यः श्रेयोर्थिना तौ हि श्रेयोघातार्थमुद्यतौ
One who desires the highest good should act, for those two are intent on obstructing the highest good.
विद्यां मानावमानाभ्यामात्मानं तु प्रमादतः
Through knowledge, honor, and dishonor, one should recognize oneself with discernment.