यद् उपगतस् सुगतः परं प्रधानं यद् उपगतो ध्रुवतां नृपश् च कश्चित् । यद् उपगताः पदम् उत्तमं महान्तः प्रयतनकर्मतरोर् महाफलं तत्
That which the noble have attained, the supreme state; that which some king has reached, steadfastness; that which the great have reached, the highest goal—this is the great fruit of the tree of effort and action.
ब्रह्मणस् समुपायान्ति जगन्तीमानि राघव । स्थैर्यं यान्त्य् अविवेकेन शाम्यन्त्य् अङ्ग विवेकतः
O Raghava, these worlds arise from Brahman, they attain stability through lack of discrimination, and they subside, dear one, through discrimination.
जगज्जालजलावर्तवृत्तयो ब्रह्मवारिधौ । सङ्ख्यातुं केन शक्यन्ते भासां च त्रसरेणवः
Who can count the whirlpool-like movements of the net of worlds in the ocean of Brahman, or the rays of light like particles of dust?
असम्यक्प्रेक्षणं विद्धि कारणं जगतस् स्थितौ । संसारशान्ताव् एकान्तकारणं सम्यगीक्षणम्
Know that improper perception is the cause of the world's persistence, and proper perception is the sole cause of the cessation of samsara.
अयं हि राम दुष्पारो घोरस् संसारसागरः । विना युक्तिप्रयत्नाभ्याम् अस्मान् नाम न तीर्यते
This ocean of samsara, O Rama, is indeed impassable and dreadful; without the application of reasoning and effort, one cannot cross it.
अयं हि सागरः पूर्णो मोहाम्बुभरपूरितः । अगाधमरणावर्तः कल्लोलाकुलकोटरः
This ocean is indeed full, filled with the mass of delusion's waters, unfathomable with the whirlpools of death, and its hollows are agitated by surging waves.
प्रभ्रमत्पुण्यदिण्डीरो ज्वलन्नरकवाडवः । तृष्णाविलोललहरिर् मनोजलमतङ्गजः
It is stirred by the drumbeats of merit, blazing with the fire of hell, its waves restless with thirst, and its waters are like the wild elephant of the mind.
आलीनजीवितसरिद् भोगरत्नसमुद्गकः । क्रुद्धरोगोरगाकीर्ण इन्द्रियग्राहघर्घरः
Its rivers of life are submerged, its gems of enjoyment are concealed, it is infested with the angry serpents of disease, and its tumult is caused by the crocodiles of the senses.
पश्यास्मिन् प्रसृता राम वीचयश् चारुचञ्चलाः । इमा मुग्धाङ्गनानाम्न्यश् शिखराकर्षणक्षमाः
Behold here, O Rama, the waves spread out, beautiful and restless; these are the names of the innocent women, capable of drawing the peaks.
छदश्रीपद्मरागाढ्या नेत्रनीलोत्पलाकुलाः । दन्तमुक्ताफलाकीर्णास् स्मितफेनोपशोभिताः
Their cheeks are adorned with the luster of padmarāga gems, their eyes crowded with blue lotuses; their teeth are set with pearls, and their smiles are brightened by the foam of laughter.
केशेन्द्रनीलवलया भ्रूविलासतरङ्गिताः । नितम्बपुलिनस्फीताः कण्ठकम्बुविभूषिताः
Their hair is encircled by sapphire bands, their brows ripple with playful waves; their hips are broad as riverbanks, and their necks are adorned with conch-shaped ornaments.
ललाटमणिपट्टाढ्या विलासग्राहसङ्कुलाः । कटाक्षलोलशफरा वर्णकाञ्चनवालुकाः
Their foreheads are decorated with jeweled bands, bustling with the play of amorous glances; their sidelong looks dart like restless fish, and their complexions are like golden sand.
एवंविलोललहरीभीमात् संसारसागरात् । उत्तीर्यते चेन् मग्नेन तत् परं पौरुषं भवेत्
If one crosses over this dreadful ocean of worldly existence, with its restless waves, without sinking, that is truly supreme courage.
सत्यां प्रज्ञामहानावि विवेके सति नाविके । संसारसागराद् अस्माद् यो न तीर्णो धिग् अस्तु तम्
When the great boat of true wisdom is present, and discrimination is the helmsman, shame on the one who does not cross this ocean of worldly existence.
अपारावारम् आक्रम्य प्रमेयीकृत्य सर्वतः । संसाराब्धिं गाहते यस् स एव पुरुषस् स्मृतः
He alone is called a man who, having measured and comprehended this boundless ocean of existence in every way, plunges into it.
विचार्यार्यैस् सहालोक्य धिया संसारसागरम् । एतस्मिंस् तदनु क्रीडा शोभते राम नान्यथा
O Rāma, only after examining this ocean of worldly existence with wise and noble companions does play within it become truly splendid—not otherwise.
इह भव्यो भवान् साधो विचारपरया धिया । त्वया यूनैव येनायं संसारः प्रविचार्यते
Here, you are indeed blessed, O noble one, for with a mind devoted to inquiry, you, even in your youth, have thoroughly examined this worldly existence.
भवान् इव विचार्यादौ संसारम् अतिकान्तया । मत्या यो गाहते लोके नेहासौ परिमज्जति
Just as you, having examined at the outset, transcend worldly existence with utmost clarity, so one who enters this world with discernment does not become entangled in it.
पूर्वं धिया विचार्यैते भोगा भोगिभयप्रदाः । भोक्तव्याश् चरमं राम गरुडेनेव पन्नगाः
First, by reflection, it is seen that these pleasures bring fear to those who indulge; yet, O Rama, they must be experienced finally, like a Garuda consuming serpents.
विचार्य तत्त्वम् आलोक्य सेव्यन्ते या विभूतयः । ता उदर्कोदया जन्तोश् शेषा दुःखाय केवलम्
Those attainments which are pursued after examining and realizing the truth bring forth beneficial results; the rest, for the creature, lead only to suffering.
बलं बुद्धिश् च तेजश् च दृष्टतत्त्वस्य वर्धते । सवसन्तस्य वृक्षस्य सौन्दर्याद्या गुणा इव
Strength, intellect, and brilliance increase in one who has seen the truth, just as qualities like beauty flourish in a tree that is well nourished.
घनरसायनपूरणशीतया विमलया समया सततं धिया । शिशिररश्मिर् इवातिविराजते विदितवेद्यसुखं रघुनन्दन
O descendant of Raghu, when the mind is always filled with pure, cooling, and nourishing wisdom, it shines forth like the soothing rays of the moon, bringing the joy of realized knowledge.
समासेन मुने भूयो दृष्टतत्त्वचमत्कृतिम् । कथयोदारवृत्तान्ते कस् ते वचसि तृप्यति
O sage, once again, in brief, recount the marvel of one who has realized the truth; who can ever be satisfied by your noble words?
जीवन्मुक्तस्य बहुधा कथितं लक्षणं मया । भूयो ऽपि च महाबाहो कथ्यमानम् इदं शृणु
I have described in many ways the characteristics of one liberated while living; yet, O mighty-armed, listen again as I speak further.
सुषुप्तवद् इदं नित्यं पश्यत्य् अपगतैषणः । असद्रूपं इवासक्तस् सर्वत्राखिलम् आत्मवान्
He always perceives everything, free from desires, as in deep sleep; unattached, he sees all as insubstantial, established in the Self everywhere.
कैवल्यम् इव सम्प्राप्तः परिसुप्तमना इव । घूर्णमान इवानन्दी तिष्ठत्य् अधिगतात्मदृक्
He stands as if he has attained absolute aloneness, as if his mind is deeply asleep; like one who is delighted yet swaying, he remains with vision fixed upon the Self.
न दत्तम् अप्य् उपादत्ते गृहीतम् अपि पाणिना । अन्तर्मुखतयोदात्तरूपया समया धिया
He does not take what is given, nor does he hold what is grasped by the hand; with an inwardly withdrawn and uplifted mind, he abides.
यन्त्रपुत्रकसञ्चार इतीमं जनताक्रमम् । अन्तस्संलीनया दृष्ट्या पश्यन् हसति शान्तधीः
Seeing this crowd of people moving about like mechanical puppets, he laughs with a mind at peace, his gaze absorbed within.
नापेक्षते भविष्यच् च वर्तमाने न तिष्ठति । न संस्मरत्य् अतीतं च सर्वम् एव करोति च
He does not expect anything in the future, nor does he dwell in the present; he does not recall the past, yet he acts in all ways.
सुप्तः प्रबुद्धो भवति प्रबुद्धो ऽपि च सुप्तवत् । सर्वकर्मकरो ऽप्य् अन्तर् न करोतीव किञ्चन
When asleep, he becomes awakened; even when awakened, he is like one asleep. Though performing all actions outwardly, inwardly he seems to do nothing at all.