कदर्थलब्धांल् लभ्यांश् च तज्ज्ञान् अनुसरंश् चिरम् । यतẖ कुतश्चिद् आनीय नित्यं शास्त्राण्य् अवेक्षते
He studies scriptures constantly, seeking them out wherever they may be found, whether easily obtained or difficult to acquire, and follows the teachings of the wise for a long time.
व्यालापध्वंसनशिखी धर्माब्देशोच्चकन्धरः । स्नानदानतपोध्यानविभवान् अभिवाञ्छति
He is like a flame that destroys the darkness of ignorance, standing tall in the ocean of dharma, and he longs for the wealth of bathing, giving, austerity, and meditation.
प्रथमाम् इत्य् उपारुह्य द्वितीयाम् आश्रयेद् बलात् । पुरुषार्थाद् ऋते नान्या सङ्कटोत्तरणे गतिः
Having first ascended the initial stage, one should forcibly resort to the second; apart from purposeful effort, there is no other way to cross difficult straits.
एवं विचारवान् यस् स्यात् संसारोत्तरणं प्रति । स भूमिकावान् इत्य् उक्तश् शेषस् त्व् आर्य इति स्मृतः
Thus, one who is discerning in regard to crossing over saṃsāra is said to possess the stages; the rest are considered merely noble.
आर्यतातुल्यतां याता प्रथमैकैव भूमिका । भूमिकानां तु शेषाणाम् आर्यता दास्यम् अर्हति
Only the very first stage attains equality with nobility; but the remaining stages are worthy of serving nobility.
विचारनाम्नीम् इतराम् आगतो योगभूमिकाम् । उदारमतिर् आदत्ते स्वभावं महताम् इति
When one reaches the other yogic stage called 'inquiry,' he, possessing a noble mind, adopts the nature of the great.
श्रुतिस्मृतिसमाचारधारणाध्यानकर्मणाम् । मुख्यया व्याख्यया ख्यातं श्रयति श्रेष्ठपण्डितम्
By the principal explanation of the Vedas, Smṛti, conduct, retention, meditation, and actions, the foremost scholar is recognized.
इच्छाकुतुकबन्धेषु जयतीन्द्रियशत्रुषु । आदेहं प्रहरत्स्व् अन्तर् वीरेष्व् इव सुदारुणः
He conquers the enemies of the senses bound by desire and curiosity, fiercely attacking them within the body, like a hero among warriors.
किम् अपूर्वां झगित्य् एनां संश्रयाम्य् अनुरागिणीम् । इति ह्रीमान् इव ह्रियं दयां चैष न मुञ्चति
Thinking, 'Let me swiftly embrace this unprecedented, beloved one,' he, modest as if with shame, never abandons compassion.
पदार्थप्रविभागज्ञẖ कार्याकार्यविनिश्चयम् । जानात्य् अधिगतश्रव्यो गृहं गृहपतिर् यथा
Knowing the distinctions among objects and discerning what should and should not be done, he understands what is to be learned, like a householder knows his home.
मदाभिमानमात्सर्यलोभमोहातिशायिताम् । बहिर् अप्य् आस्थिताम् ईषत् त्यजत्य् अहिर् इव त्वचम्
He lightly casts off pride, arrogance, envy, greed, and delusion, even when they arise outwardly, just as a snake sheds its skin.
चन्दनागुरुगन्धीनि वनितालिङ्गनान्य् अपि । अप्रार्थितोपयातानि सेवते स्वान्य् अनादरम्
He regards with indifference even sandalwood, aloe scents, or the embraces of women, when they come to him unasked.
मातृवत् परदाराणि परद्रव्याणि लोष्टवत् । स्वात्मवत् सर्वभूतानि कारुण्येनाभिपश्यति
He sees other men's wives as mothers, others' wealth as clods of earth, and all beings as his own self, with compassion.
यत् करोति यद् अश्नाति स्पन्दते यद् यद् ईहते । तद् आदौ बुद्धिभेदेन चिरं चारु परीक्षते
Whatever he does, eats, moves, or desires, he first examines for a long time with clear discernment.
अविचारात्मकं नैति न गच्छति न वक्ति च । न ददाति न चादत्ते न चिनोति न चोपति
He does not act, go, speak, give, take, collect, or approach anything without thoughtful consideration.
व्यवहारानुवृत्त्यर्थम् अविरुद्धं क्षणक्षयि । हर्षामर्षांशम् आदत्ते गन्तेवालातकं निशि
For the sake of worldly dealings, he accepts harmless, fleeting traces of joy or anger, as a servant takes a lamp at night.
दुर्देशं दुरधिष्ठानं दुस्सङ्गं दुरुपाश्रयम् । आलोक्यम् अपि देहादि लिप्तं तृणम् इवोज्झति
Even seeing a bad place, bad company, or impure support, he abandons attachment to body and such, as one would discard straw.
यद् उदर्कहितं लोक्यं यद् अनाधि गतभ्रमम् । तद् एव हरिणो वातम् इव मौनी विधावति
Whatever is beneficial in the end and free from confusion, he pursues swiftly, like a deer runs toward the wind.
हारिहासविलासासु हावभाववतीषु च । वीक्षते भाविनाशासु स्त्रीषु शुष्कलतास्व् इव
He gazes upon women, radiant in laughter and playful gestures, full of allure and emotion, as one would look at dry creepers, knowing their destined impermanence.
इत्थम्भूतमतिश् शास्त्रं गुरुसज्जनसेवनात् । सरहस्यम् अशेषेण यथावद् अधिगच्छति
Such a mind, through service to teachers and noble people, fully and properly grasps the scripture, including its secrets, in every aspect.
असंसङ्गात्मिकाम् अन्यां तृतीयां योगभूमिकाम् । ततḫ पतत्य् असौ कान्तḫ पुष्पशय्याम् इवामलाम्
He then enters the third stage of yoga, which is characterized by non-attachment, as a beloved one would gracefully settle upon a pure bed of flowers.
दुर्व्याख्याम् अधिकव्याख्याम् ऊनव्याख्यां विहाय धीः । यथावच् छास्त्रवाक्यार्थम् आदत्ते ऽस्यात्र पावनी
The pure intellect, leaving aside explanations that are difficult, excessive, or insufficient, takes up the true meaning of the scripture's words as they are.
फलत्य् अत्रास्य शास्त्रार्थẖ कुर्वन्न् अन्तर् असङ्गताम् । शिक्षितस् सूपकारस्य सम्यक् सूपो रसेष्व् इव
Here, the meaning of the scripture bears fruit for him, as he cultivates inner detachment—just as a well-trained cook produces a perfect soup among flavors.
तापसाश्रमविश्रामैḫ पावनाध्यात्मसङ्कथैः । शिलाशय्यासनासीनो जरयत्य् आयुर् आततम्
Resting in hermitages, engaging in pure spiritual conversations, and sitting or lying upon rocks, he steadily wears away his lifespan.
वनावनिविहारेण चित्तोपशमशोभिना । असङ्गसुखसोम्येन कालं नयति नीतिमान्
Through wandering in forests and groves, adorned by the tranquility of mind, and the gentle happiness of detachment, the wise one passes his time.
न तथा रमयन्त्य् एनं ज्योत्स्नाप्रसरहासिनः । निवासाẖ कुसुमाकीर्णा यथा गिरिगुहालयाः
Moonlit dwellings, radiant with laughter and strewn with flowers, do not delight him as much as the mountain caves where he resides.
देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपण्डितार्चनभोजनैः । अपराह्णं क्षपयति पूर्वाह्णं श्रुतसज्जनैः
He spends the afternoon in worship and offerings to gods, brahmins, teachers, the wise, and scholars; the forenoon with learned and virtuous people.
अन्तरान्तरसम्पन्नधर्म्यार्थोपार्जनक्रमः । सन्तोषामृततृप्तात्मा साध्वाचारेण राजते
He follows the proper means of acquiring righteous wealth at appropriate times, his mind content with the nectar of satisfaction, shining through virtuous conduct.
सरसीष्व् अच्छतोयासु फुल्लासु नलिनीषु च । सरित्सु बहुपुण्यासु वापीषु च निमज्जति
He bathes in clear waters of lakes, in blooming lotus ponds, in sacred rivers, and in wells of great merit.
आसन्नचन्द्रकरकीर्णसुधारसासु पुष्पोपकारसमसोम्यजलस्थलासु । गुञ्जद्गुहासु रतम् एनम् अधित्यकासु वन्याḫ फलैर् उपचरन्ति महानुभावम्
In places where the moon's rays scatter nectar, where gentle waters are adorned with flowers, and in caves resounding with humming bees, the forest fruits serve this noble one as he delights upon the mountain slopes.