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.
आत्मज्ञानं परं ज्ञानं सत्यं हि परमं हितम्
Self-knowledge is supreme knowledge; truth is indeed the highest benefit.
इन्द्रियैरिन्द्रियार्थेभ्यश्चरत्यात्मवशैरिह
Here, the senses, governed by the self, move among the objects of the senses.
आत्मभूतैरतद्भूतः सह चैव विनैव च
With beings who are of the self and those who are not, both together and apart.
अदर्शनमसंस्पर्शस्तथैवाभाषाणं सदा
Always avoid seeing, touching, and speaking.
न हिंस्यात्सर्वभूतानि भूतैर्मैत्रायणश्चरेत्
One should not harm any beings; with beings, one should act in friendship.
आकिञ्चन्यं सुसंतोषो निराशिष्ट्वमचापलम्
Freedom from possessions, complete contentment, absence of expectation, and steadiness.
परिग्रहं परित्यज्य भव तातजितेन्द्रियः
Abandoning possessions, become one who has conquered the senses, dear one.
निराशिषो न शोचन्ति त्यजेदाशिषमात्मनः
Those without expectation do not grieve; one should renounce expectation from oneself.
तपरोनित्येन दान्तेन मुनिना संयतात्मना
With constant austerity, self-control, and restraint, the sage disciplines himself.
गुणसंगेष्वेष्वनासक्त एकचर्या रतः सदा
Unattached to the qualities, always delighting in solitary conduct.
द्वन्द्वारामेषु भूतेषु वराको रमते मुनिः
The sage, though destitute, finds joy among beings who delight in opposites.
शुभैर्लभेत देवत्वं व्यामिश्रैर्जन्म मानुषम्
Through virtuous actions one attains divinity; through mixed actions, human birth.
तत्र मृत्युजरादुःखैः सततं समभिद्रुतम्
There, one is constantly afflicted by the sufferings of death, old age, and pain.
अहिते हितसंज्ञस्त्वमध्रुवे ध्रुवसंज्ञकः
You regard what is harmful as beneficial, and what is impermanent as permanent.
संवेष्ट्यमानं बहुभिर्मोहतन्तुभिरात्मजैः
Bound tightly by many threads of delusion, spun by one's own offspring.
अलं परिग्रहेणेह दोषवान् हि परिग्रहः
Enough of possessions here; for possession is indeed fraught with faults.
पुत्रदारकुटुंबेषु सक्ताः सीदन्ति जन्तवः
Creatures who are attached to children, spouse, and household sink down.
मोहजालसमाकृष्टान्पश्यजन्तून्सुदुःखितान्
See the beings drawn into the net of delusion, suffering greatly.
पारक्यमध्रुवं सर्वं किं स्वं सुकृतदुष्कृते
All that belongs to others is unstable; what is truly one's own is good and evil deeds.
अनर्थे किं प्रसक्तस्त्वं स्वमर्थं नानुतिष्टसि
Why are you engrossed in what is worthless, neglecting your own true purpose?