ज्ञानवन्तो द्विजा ये च ये च विद्यां पराङ्गताः
Those who possess knowledge, twice-born, and those accomplished in supreme learning,
न गच्छन्त्यत्र दातारः सर्वभूतहिते रताः
Those who are generous and devoted to the welfare of all beings do not go there.
तिलान् गां च हिरण्यं च पृथिवीं चापि शाश्वतीम्
Sesame seeds, cows, gold, and the eternal earth—
यथोक्तं यजमानाश्च सत्रयाजिन एव च
As previously described, those who perform sacrifices and those who undertake long sacrificial rites—
गुरुचित्तानुपालाश्च कृतिनो मौनयन्त्रिताः
Those who follow the will of their teacher, who are accomplished, and who are restrained by silence—
मां न पश्यन्ति ते चैव स्वात्मभावेन भाविताः
They do not see me, being absorbed in their own true self—
ब्राह्मणा अमरत्वं च प्राप्नुवन्ति न संशयः 207.
Brahmins attain immortality; there is no doubt about this.
न गच्छन्ति हि तद्धोरं यत्र ते पापकर्मिणः
They do not go to that dreadful place where the evil-doers go.
नारद उवाच किं वा कर्म महत्कृत्वा स्वर्गलोके महीयते
Nārada said: What great action, when performed, leads to honor in heaven?
रूपं वा धनधान्यं वा ह्यायुश्च कुलमेव वा
Is it beauty, wealth, grain, long life, or noble lineage?
यम उवाच शुभाशुभानां गतयो द्रष्टुं वा प्रष्टुमेव वा
Yama said: To see or to ask about the destinies of good and evil—
किंचिन्मात्रं प्रवक्ष्यामि येन यत्प्राप्यते नरैः
I will briefly tell you by which means people attain each result.
रहस्यमिदमाख्यानं श्रूयतां मुनिसत्तम
Hear this secret teaching, O best of sages.
तपसा प्राप्यते स्वर्गस्तपसा प्राप्यते यशः
Heaven is attained by austerity; fame is attained by austerity.
ज्ञानविज्ञानमारोग्यं रूपसौभाग्यसम्पदः
Knowledge, wisdom, health, beauty, good fortune, and wealth—
एवं प्राप्नोति पुण्येन मौनेनाज्ञां महामुने
Thus, one attains these by virtue; and by silence, O great sage, one attains wisdom.
अहिंसया परं रूपं दीक्षया कुलजन्म च 207.
By non-violence, supreme beauty; by initiation, noble birth.
पयोभक्ष्या दिवं यान्ति जायते द्रविणाढ्यता
Those who subsist on milk go to heaven; wealth is attained by birth.
गवाद्याः कालदीक्षाभिर्ये तु वा तृणशायिनः
Those who, through vows of time and discipline, or who sleep on grass—
क्रतुयष्टा दिवं याति चोपहारं च सुव्रत
The sacrificer attains heaven, O virtuous one, as does one who offers gifts.
रसानां प्रतिसंहारात् सौभाग्यमनुजायते
From the withdrawal of tastes, good fortune arises.
गन्धमाल्यनिवृत्त्या तु मूर्त्तिर्भवति पुष्कला
Indeed, by refraining from perfumes and garlands, the form becomes abundant.
छत्रप्रदानेन गृहं वरिष्ठं रथं ह्युपानद्युग सम्प्रदानात्
By giving a parasol, one attains an excellent house; by giving a pair of sandals or a chariot, likewise.
पानीयस्य प्रदानेन तृप्तिर्भवति शाश्वती
By the gift of water, lasting satisfaction is obtained.
पुष्पोपगन्धं च फलोपगंधं यः पादपं स्पर्शयते द्विजाय
Whoever touches a tree bearing the scent of flowers or fruits for a twice-born one—
वस्त्रान्नपानीयरसप्रदानात् प्राप्नोति तानेव रसप्रदानात्
By giving cloth, food, water, or tasty drinks, one attains those very things by giving such tastes.
दत्त्वा द्विजेभ्यः स भवेत्सुरूपो रोगांश्च कांश्चिल्लभते न जातु 207.
Having given to the twice-born, he becomes handsome and never acquires certain diseases.
स स्त्रीसमृद्धं गजवाजिपूर्णं लभेदधिष्ठानवरं वरिष्ठम्
He obtains a most excellent abode, filled with women, elephants, and horses.
गजं तथा गोवृषभप्रदानैः स्वर्गे सुखं शाश्वतमामनन्ति
By the gift of an elephant or a bull, it is said that one enjoys eternal happiness in heaven.
क्षौद्रेण नानारसतृप्ततां च दीपप्रदानाद्द्युतिमाप्नुवन्ति
By honey, one attains satisfaction with various tastes; by the gift of a lamp, one attains radiance.