यो जन्तुः स्वकृतैस्तैस्तैः कर्मभिर्नित्यदुःखितः
That being, always afflicted by its own actions, by those various deeds—
ततः कर्म समादत्ते पुनरन्यन्नवं बहु
Then again takes up new and many other actions.
अजस्रमेव मोहान्तो दुःखेषु सुखसंज्ञितः
Constantly, even in the midst of delusion, he calls suffering by the name of happiness.
ततो निवृत्तो बन्धात्स्वात्कर्मणामुदयादिह
Then, freed from bondage, from the arising of his own actions here—
संयमेन च संबन्धान्निवृत्त्या तपसो बलात्
By restraint and by the power of austerity, through disconnection from attachments—
सम्प्राप्ता बहवः सिद्धिं अव्याबाधां सुखोदयाम्
Many have attained perfection, undisturbed and with the arising of happiness.
निशम्य लभ्यते बुद्धिर्लब्धायां सुखमेधते
By hearing, understanding is gained; when understanding is gained, happiness increases.
दिवसे दिवसे मूढमाविशन्ति न पण्डितम्
Day by day, the deluded approach, but not the wise.
मनुष्या मानसैर्दुःखैर्युज्यन्ते ये ऽल्पबुद्धयः
Men of little understanding are afflicted by mental sorrows.
ताननाद्रियमाणश्च स्नेहबन्धाद्विमुच्यते
He who does not honor them is freed from the bonds of affection.
अनिष्टबुद्धितां यच्छेत्ततः क्षिप्रं विराजते
One should restrain misguided thinking; then, quickly, clarity arises.
अस्याभावेन युज्येतं तञ्चास्य तु निवर्तते
In the absence of this, confusion arises, and with its presence, confusion departs.
सर्वाणि नैतदेकस्य शोकस्थानं हि विद्यते
For one who possesses this, there is no place for sorrow among all things.
दुःखेन लभते दुःखं महानर्थे प्रपद्यते
Through suffering, one gains only more suffering and falls into great misfortune.
यस्मिन्न शक्यते कर्तुं यत्नस्तन्नानुर्चितयेत्
If an effort cannot be accomplished, one should not persist in it.
चिन्त्यमानं हि न व्येति भूयश्चाभिप्रवर्द्धते
For, when a matter is brooded over, it does not diminish but grows even more.
एतद्विज्ञाय सामर्थ्यं न वान्यैः समतामियात्
Knowing this capacity, one should not seek equality with others.
आरोग्यं प्रियसंवासं न मृध्येत्पण्डितः क्वचित्
A wise person should never disregard health or the company of loved ones.
अशोचन्प्रतिकुर्वीत यदि पश्येदुपक्रमम्
Without grieving, one should act in response if a means of remedy is seen.
जरामरणदुःखेभ्यः प्रियमात्मानमुद्धरेत्
From the sufferings of old age and death, one should rescue oneself, who is dear.
सायका इव तीक्ष्णाग्राः प्रयुक्ता दृढधन्विभिः
Like arrows with sharp points, released by strong archers,
आमयस्य विनाशाय शरीरमनुकृष्यते
The body is afflicted for the destruction of disease.
आयुरादाय मर्त्यानां रात्र्यहानि पुनःपुनः
Day and night, again and again, take away the lifespan of mortals.
जातं मर्त्यं जरयति निमिषं नावतिष्टते
Old age overtakes the one who is born mortal; even a moment does not remain.
आदित्यो ह्यस्तमभ्येति पुनः पुनरुदेति च
The sun indeed sets and rises again and again.
इष्टानिष्टा मनुष्याणां मतं गच्छन्ति रात्रयः
Nights pass according to the fortunes and misfortunes of people.
यदि स्यान्न पराधीनं पुरुषस्य क्रियाफलम्
If the fruit of a person's actions were not dependent on others,
दृश्यन्ते निष्फलाः संतः प्रहीनाश्च स्वकर्मभिः
We see virtuous people whose actions have failed and who are deprived by their own deeds.
आशाभिरण्यसंयुक्ता दृश्यन्ते सर्वकामिनः
People filled with desires are seen, bound by hopes and gold.
वञ्चनायां च लोकेषु ससुखेष्वेव जीयते
And in the world, one lives only in pleasures through deception.