निमेषोऽपि न शक्येत जीविते यस्य निश्चितम् १३.
Not even for a moment is the life of anyone certain.
त्वं मुने मन्यसे चेदं कुलीनोऽस्मीति बुद्धिमान् १३.
If you, sage, think this—'I am noble-born,' being wise—
किमधीतं याज्ञवल्क्य का योगेश्वरता तव १३.
What have you studied, Yājñavalkya, and what is the source of your mastery in yoga?
कस्मिन्वेदं स्मृतौ कस्यां प्रोक्तमेतद्ब्रवीहि मे १३.
In which Veda or Smṛti is this taught? Tell me, in which one is this spoken?
किमिदं नैव जानासि यावत्यः परुषा गिरः १३.
Why do you not know this, despite all your harsh words?
कंठे यमानुगाः पादं कृत्वा तस्य सुदुर्मतेः १३.
Those who follow Yama place their foot on the neck of that wicked-minded one.
वावदूकाश्च ध्वजिनो मुष्णंति कृपणाञ्जनान् १३.
The boastful and talkative, displaying banners, rob the wretched people.
वज्रस्य दिग्धशस्त्रस्य कालकूटस्य चाप्युत १३.
With weapons smeared with diamond, or with deadly Kālakūṭa poison,
कर्णनासिकनाराचान्निर्हरंति शरीरतः १३.
They pierce the ears and nose with arrows, extracting them from the body.
यंत्रपीडैः समाक्रम्य वरमेष हतो नरः १३.
Assailed with torturous devices, it is better that such a man is killed.
त्वया त्वहं याज्ञवल्क्य नित्यं पंडितमानिना १३.
But by you, Yājñavalkya, who always considers yourself wise,
इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य भृशं विस्मितमानसः १३.
Hearing his words, his mind became greatly astonished.
नमोऽधर्माय महते न विद्मो यस्य वै भवम् १३.
Homage to the great Adharma, whose origin we truly do not know.
विरंचिविष्णुप्रसमुखाः सोमेंद्रप्रमुखास्तथा १३.
Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and others, Soma and Indra at their head,
धर्मज्ञोऽस्मीति यो मोहादात्मानं प्रतिपद्यते १३.
He who, out of delusion, claims 'I am a knower of dharma,'
केचिदज्ञानतो नष्टाः केचिज्ज्ञानमदादपि १३.
Some are lost through ignorance, and some even through knowledge.
वेदस्मृतीतिहासेषु पुराणेषु प्रकल्पितम् १३.
This has been established in the Vedas, Smṛtis, Itihāsas, and Purāṇas.
स पुरा शोचते व्यक्तं प्राप्य तच्चांतकं गृहम् १३.
He, indeed, grieves in the end, upon reaching that house of death.
नकुलं सकुलं ब्रूयान्न कंचिन्मर्मणि स्पृशेत् १३.
One should speak kindly to all, with their families, and not touch anyone at their vital spot.
आलस्येनाप्यनाचाराद्वृथाकार्येकमंग तत्॥ १३.
Even from laziness or misconduct, O dear one, a single useless act is wrong.
केवलं पाठ मात्रेण यश्च संतुष्यते नरः १३.
The man who is satisfied merely by recitation alone,
न च्छंदांसि वृजिनात्तारयंति मायाविनं माययाऽऽवर्तमानम् १३.
The Vedic verses do not rescue the deceiver, who is engaged in illusion, from sin.
स्वार्गाय बद्धकक्षो यः पाठमात्रेण ब्राह्मणः १३.
The Brahmin who is bound for heaven only by recitation alone,
तद्भवान्सर्वथा मह्यमनयं सोढुमर्हसि १३.
Therefore, you must endure this from me in every way.
वृथेदं भाषितं तुभ्यं सर्वलोकेन यत्समम् १३.
This speech has been addressed to you, as it is fitting, by all people.
वाजिवारणलोहानां काष्ठपाषाणवाससाम् १३.
Of horses, elephants, iron, wood, stones, and garments,
अन्ये चेत्प्राकृता लोका बहुपापानि कुर्वते १३.
If other ordinary people commit many sins,
सर्वार्थं निर्मितं शास्त्रं मनोबुद्धी तथैव च १३.
Scripture is created for all purposes, as are mind and intellect.
ततो विधातुः को दोषस्त एव खलु दुर्भगाः १३.
Therefore, what fault lies with the creator? Indeed, those are truly unfortunate.
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः १३.
Whatever the best person does, others follow that.