तेषां गुणान्मम ब्रूहि किंगुणा ननु ते द्विजाः
Tell me of their virtues—what qualities do they possess? Are they not indeed Brahmins?
यदि तान्भोः प्रशंसामि स्वीयान्स्तौतीति वाच्यता
If I praise them, it may be said that I am extolling my own kind.
अथवा पारमाहात्म्ये सति तेषां महात्मनाम्
Or, if they possess supreme greatness, those noble souls—
मदर्चितद्विजेंद्राणां यदि स्याच्छ्रवणेप्सुता
If there is a desire to hear about those Brahmin chiefs who have worshipped me,
इति श्रुत्वा मम वचो रविरासीत्सुविस्मितः
Hearing my words, Ravi was utterly astonished.
सोऽथ विप्रतनुं कृत्वा मां विसर्ज्यैव भास्करः
Then, having assumed the form of a Brahmin and leaving me, Bhāskara departed.
जटां त्रिषवणस्नानपिंगलां धारयन्नथ
He wore matted hair, tawny from thrice-daily bathing.
ततो हारीतप्रमुखाः प्रहर्षोत्फुल्ललोचनाः
Then, led by Hārīta, their eyes blossoming with delight—
नमस्कृत्य द्विजाग्र्यं ते प्रहर्षादिदमब्रुवन् ।।1.2.49.
They bowed to the foremost Brahmin and, joyful, spoke these words.
अद्य नो दिवसः पुण्यः स्थानमद्योत्तमं त्विदम्
Today is a holy day for us; this place is now truly excellent.
धन्यस्य हि गृहस्थस्य कृपयैव द्विजोत्तमाः
For indeed, O best of Brahmins, it is only by the grace of a blessed householder—
तत्त्वं गेहानि चास्माकं पादचंक्रमणेन च
That truth enters our homes, and through the touch of your feet as well.
तदहं सम्यगिच्छामि दत्तं परमभोजनम्
Therefore, I sincerely wish to offer the highest meal.
इत्येतदतिथेः श्रुत्वा हारीतः पुत्रमब्रवीत्
Hearing this from the guest, Hārīta spoke to his son.
द्विजं च तर्पयिष्यामि दत्त्वा परमभोजनम्
I will satisfy the Brahmin by giving the supreme meal.
सुतेन किल जातेन जायते चानृणः पिता
It is said that a father becomes free from debt by the birth of a son.
भोजनं द्विप्रकारं च प्रविभागस्तयोरयम्
There are two kinds of food, and this is their division.
तत्र यत्प्राकृतं नाम प्रकृतिप्रमुखस्य तत्
Of these, what is called ordinary belongs to the one who is foremost in nature.
षड्रसं भोजनं तच्च पंचभेदं वदंति च 1.2.49.
Food possessing six tastes is said to be of five kinds.
यथापरं परंनाम प्रोक्तं परमभोजनम्
The highest food is called 'param', as declared in order.
ततो नानाप्रकारस्य धर्मस्य श्रवणं हि यत्
After that comes the hearing of various kinds of dharma.
तद्दास्यामि द्विजाग्र्याय पृच्छ विप्र यदिच्छसि
I will give that to the foremost twice-born; ask, O Brahmin, whatever you desire.
मनसैव प्रशस्यामुं प्रश्नमेनमथाकरोत्
With his mind he praised him, and then made this inquiry.
कथं संजायते जंतुः कथं चापि प्रलीयते
How does a living being arise, and how does it also dissolve?
छंदोगीतममुं प्रश्नं शक्त्या वक्ष्यामि ते द्विज
I will answer this question for you, O Brahmin, in the form of a metrical song, to the best of my ability.
जनने त्रिविधं कर्म हेतुर्जंतोर्भवेत्किल
In birth, threefold action is indeed the cause for a living being.
तत्र यः सात्त्विको नाम स स्वर्गं प्रतिपद्यते
Among these, the one called 'sattvic' attains heaven.
तथा यस्तामसो नाम नरकं प्रतिपद्यते
Likewise, the one called 'tamasic' attains hell.
महतां दर्शनस्पर्शैरुपभोगसहासनैः 1.2.49.
Through the sight, touch, enjoyment, and laughter of the great ones,
सोऽपि दुःखदरिद्राद्यैर्वेष्टितो विकलेंद्रियः
He too is surrounded by suffering, poverty, and impaired senses.