यतते च यथाशक्ति न च तद्वर्तते तथा
One strives according to their ability, yet things do not always turn out as intended.
नाप्रियं प्रतिपद्येरन्नुत्थानस्य फलं प्रति
One should not accept what is unpleasant for the sake of the fruit of effort.
अप्रमत्ताः शठाः क्रूरा विक्रान्ताः पर्युपासते
The vigilant, cunning, cruel, and bold serve others.
स्वं स्वं च पुनरन्येषां न कञ्चिदतिगच्छति
Each pursues their own, and again, that of others; none exceeds their own lot.
वहॄन्ति शिबिकामन्ये यान्त्यन्ये शिबिकारुहः
Some carry the palanquin, while others ride upon it.
मनुजाश्च गतश्रीकाः शतशो विविधाः स्त्रियाः
Men who have lost their fortune, and hundreds of diverse women, are seen.
इदमन्यत्परं पश्य नात्र मोहं करिष्यसि
Behold this other supreme truth; you will not fall into delusion here.
सर्वं त्यक्त्वा स्वरूपस्थः सुखी भव निरामयः
Abandoning everything, established in your own nature, be happy and free from affliction.
येन देवाः परित्यज्य भर्त्यलोकं दिवं गताः
By whom the gods, forsaking the world of mortals, went to heaven.
सनत्कुमारः प्रययौ पूजितस्तेन सादरम्
Sanatkumara departed, honored by him with reverence.
ब्रह्मणः पदमन्वेष्टुमुत्सुकः पितरं ययौ
Eager to seek the abode of Brahma, he went to his father.
शुकः प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य ययौ कैलासपर्वतम्
Shuka, having circumambulated, went to Mount Kailasa.
क्षणैकं स्थीयतां पुत्र इति च क्रोश दुर्मनाः
With a troubled heart, she cried, 'Stay for just a moment, my son!'
मोक्षमेवानुसंचित्य गत एव परं पदम्
Having pursued only liberation, he departed to the supreme state.
पुनः पप्रच्छ तं विप्र शुकाभिपतनं मुनिम्
Again, the sage questioned that Brahmin about the descent of Śuka.
यच्छ्रृत्वा मानसं मे ऽद्य शान्तिमग्र्यामुपागतम्
Hearing this, my mind today has attained the highest peace.
नहि सम्पूर्णतामेति तृष्णा कृष्णगुणार्णवे
Thirst is never satisfied in the ocean of Kṛṣṇa's virtues.
कुत्र ते निवसंतीह संशयो मे महानयम्
Where do they reside here? I have a great doubt about this.
धारयामास चात्मानं यथाशास्त्रं महामुनिः
The great sage composed himself according to the scriptures.
ततः स प्राङ्मुखो विद्वानादित्येन विरोचिते
Then, facing east, the learned one shone with the radiance of the sun.
न तत्र पक्षिसंघातो न शब्दो न च दर्शनम्
There was no flock of birds, no sound, nor any sight there.
स ददर्श तदात्मानं सर्वसंगविनिःसृतः
At that moment, he saw himself freed from all attachments.
स पुनर्योगमास्थाय मोक्षमार्गोपलब्धये
Again, taking up yoga, he sought the path to liberation.
अन्तरीक्षचरः श्रीमान्व्यासपुत्रः सुनिश्चितः
The glorious son of Vyāsa, certain in purpose, moved through the sky.
ददृशुः सर्वभूतानि मनोमारुतरंहसम्
All beings saw him, swift as the mind and wind.
पुष्प वर्षैश्च दिव्यैस्तमवचक्रुर्दिवौकसः
The celestial beings honored him with showers of divine flowers.
ऋषयश्चैव संसिद्धाः को ऽयं सिद्धिमुपागतः
And the accomplished sages asked, 'Who is this who has attained perfection?'
उवाच च महातेजास्तानृषीन्संप्रहर्षितः
The one of great brilliance, delighted, spoke to those sages.
तस्मै प्रतिवचोदेयं भवद्भिस्तु समाहितैः
To him, you who are focused should give this reply.
तमो ह्यष्टविधं त्यक्त्वा जहौ पञ्चविधं रजः
He abandoned the eightfold darkness and cast off the fivefold passion.