चतुर्षु भूतग्रामेषु ह्येक एव गुणो नृणाम्
Among the four classes of beings, truly, there is only one virtue for humans.
चपलानि विनिर्जित्येंद्रियाणि मनसा सह
Having conquered the restless senses along with the mind—
धर्मवंशहरं काममर्थसंचयहारिणम् 4.1.22.
Desire, which destroys the lineage of righteousness and seizes the accumulation of wealth—
जित्वा क्रोधरिपुं धैर्यात्तपसो यशसः श्रियः
Having conquered the enemy of anger through steadfastness, one attains ascetic power, fame, and prosperity.
सदा मदं परित्यज्य प्रमादैकपदप्रदम्
Always abandoning pride, which alone leads to heedlessness—
सर्वत्र लघुता हेतुमहंकारं विहाय च
Everywhere, giving up the cause of inferiority and abandoning egotism—
हित्वा मोहं महाद्रोहरोपणं मतिघातिनम्
Letting go of delusion, the great tree of anger, which destroys wisdom—
श्रुतिस्मृतिपुराणोक्तं परिक्षुण्णं महाजनैः
What is declared in the Śruti, Smṛti, and Purāṇas, and has been examined by the great—
कर्मभूमिं समीहंते सर्वे स्वर्गौकसो द्विज
All those who dwell in heaven, O twice-born, desire the land of action.
नार्यावर्तसुमो देशो न काशी सदृशी पुरी
Among lands, Āryāvarta is the best, and among cities, none is equal to Kāśī.
संति स्वर्गा बहुविधाः सुखेतर विवर्जिता
There are many kinds of heavens, devoid of suffering and filled with happiness.
स्वर्लोकादधिकं रम्यं नहि ब्रह्मांडगोलके
Within the cosmic egg, there is nothing more delightful than the world of heaven.
स्वर्लोकादपिरम्याणि पातालानीति नारदः 4.1.22.
O Nārada, there are realms even more charming than heaven, namely the netherworlds.
आह्लादकारिणः शुभ्रा मणयो यत्र सुप्रभाः
There, radiant and pure jewels bring delight.
दैत्यदानवकन्याभिरितश्चेतश्च शोभिते
Those places are adorned here and there by the daughters of Daityas and Dānavas.
दिवार्करश्मयस्तत्र प्रभां तन्वंति नातपम्
There, the rays of the sun give light but do not cause heat.
यत्र न ज्ञायते कालो गतोपि दनुजादिभिः
There, even for the Dānavas and others, the passage of time is not perceived.
कलाः पुंस्को किलालापाः सुचैलानि शुचीनि च
There are refined conversations, pure garments, and clean surroundings.
वीणावेणुमृदंगादि निस्वनाः श्रुतिहारिणः
The sounds of vīṇā, flute, mṛdaṅga, and other instruments are enchanting to the ear.
एतान्यन्यानि रम्याणि भोग्योग्यानि दानवैः
These and other delightful enjoyments are fit for the Dānavas.
पातालेभ्योपि वै रम्यं द्विज वर्षमिलावृतम्
Beyond the netherworlds, O twice-born, lies a land called Varṣa, surrounded by Ilāvṛta, which is even more delightful.
सदा सुकृतिनो यत्र सर्वभोगभुजो द्विज
There, O twice-born, the virtuous always enjoy all pleasures.
भोगभूमिरियं प्रोक्ता श्रेयो विनिमयार्जिता 4.1.22.
This is called the land of enjoyment, attained through the exchange of merit.
अक्लीबभाषिभिश्चापि पुत्रक्षेत्राद्यहीनकैः
Even those who do not speak harshly and lack sons or fields are found there.
संति द्वीपा ह्यनेका वै पारावारांतरस्थिताः
There are indeed many islands, situated between the oceans.
तत्रापि नववर्षाणि भारतं तत्र चोत्तमम्
There, too, are nine regions; among them, Bhārata is the foremost.
अष्टौ किंपुरुषादीनि देवभोग्यानि तानि तु
There are eight regions, beginning with Kiṃpuruṣa, which are enjoyed by the gods.
योजनानां सहस्राणि नवविस्तारतस्त्विदम्
This land extends for nine thousand yojanas in breadth.
तत्रापि हिमविंध्याद्रेरंतरं पुण्यदं परम्
There too, between the Himalaya and Vindhya mountains, is a supremely sacred region.
कुरुक्षेत्रं हि सर्वेषां क्षेत्राणामधिकं ततः
Among all holy places, Kurukshetra is considered the foremost.