Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.276
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12.276.1
वेदाः प्रमाणं लोकानां न वेदाः पृष्ठतः कृताः ।
द्वे ब्रह्मणी वेदितव्ये शब्दब्रह्म परं च यत् ॥ १२.२७६.१ ॥
The Vedas are the authority for the worlds; the Vedas are not set behind one's back. Two brahmans are to be known: the brahman of sound, and that which is supreme.
12.276.2
शब्दब्रह्मणि निष्णातः परं ब्रह्माधिगच्छति ।
शरीरमेतत्कुरुते यद्वेदे कुरुते तनुम् ॥ १२.२७६.२ ॥
One skilled in the brahman of sound attains the supreme brahman. He shapes this body according to what he does in the Veda.
12.276.3
कृतशुद्धशरीरो हि पात्रं भवति ब्राह्मणः ।
आनन्त्यमनुचिन्त्येदं कर्मणां तद्ब्रबीमि ते ॥ १२.२७६.३ ॥
A brahmin whose body has been purified indeed becomes a fit vessel. Reflecting on the endlessness of these matters, I tell you about actions.
12.276.4
निरागममनैतिह्यमत्यक्षं लोकसाक्षिकम् ।
धर्म इत्येव ये यज्ञान्वितन्वन्ति निराशिषः ॥ १२.२७६.४ ॥
Those who, holding that this alone is dharma—not grounded in scripture or tradition, beyond the senses, witnessed by the world—carry out sacrifices without desire for their fruit.
12.276.5
उत्पन्नत्यागिनो लुब्धाः कृपासूयाविवर्जिताः ।
धनिनामेष वै पन्थास्तीर्थेषु प्रतिपादनम् ॥ १२.२७६.५ ॥
Those who give away what they have acquired, who are not greedy, free from compassion-and-envy: for the wealthy this is the path—giving gifts at sacred fords.
12.276.6
अनाश्रिताः पापकृत्याः कदाचित्कर्मयोगिनः ।
मनः संकल्पसंसिद्धा विशुद्धज्ञाननिश्चयाः ॥ १२.२७६.६ ॥
Those who depend on nothing, whose deeds are free of sin, who at times are practitioners of the yoga of action, accomplished in mind and resolve, firm in pure knowledge.
12.276.7
अक्रुध्यन्तोऽनसूयन्तो निरहंकारमत्सराः ।
ज्ञाननिष्ठास्त्रिशुक्लाश्च सर्वभूतहिते रताः ॥ १२.२७६.७ ॥
They are free from anger and fault-finding, without pride or envy, firm in knowledge, pure in three ways, and delighting in the welfare of all beings.
12.276.8
आसन्गृहस्था भूयिष्ठा अपक्रान्ताः स्वकर्मसु ।
राजानश्च तथा युक्ता ब्राह्मणाश्च यथाविधि ॥ १२.२७६.८ ॥
Most of them were householders who did not stray from their own duties; kings likewise were disciplined, and brahmins too lived according to the rule.
12.276.9
समा ह्यार्जवसंपन्नाः संतुष्टा ज्ञाननिश्चयाः ।
प्रत्यक्षधर्माः शुचयः श्रद्दधानाः परावरे ॥ १२.२७६.९ ॥
Indeed they were even-minded, endowed with straightforwardness, content, and resolute in knowledge; their dharma was manifest, they were pure, and faithful in matters both higher and lower.
12.276.10
पुरस्ताद्भावितात्मानो यथावच्चरितव्रताः ।
चरन्ति धर्मं कृच्छ्रेऽपि दुर्गे चैवापि संहताः ॥ १२.२७६.१० ॥
Formerly, having purified their selves and kept their vows as prescribed, they practised dharma together, even in hardship and in difficulty.
12.276.11
संहत्य धर्मं चरतां पुराऽऽसीत्सुखमेव तत् ।
तेषां नासीद्विधातव्यं प्रायश्चित्तं कथंचन ॥ १२.२७६.११ ॥
For those who in former times practised dharma together, that itself was happiness; for them there was never any need for expiation in any way.
12.276.12
सत्यं हि धर्ममास्थाय दुराधर्षतमा मताः ।
न मात्रामनुरुध्यन्ते न धर्मच्छलमन्ततः ॥ १२.२७६.१२ ॥
Having taken refuge in dharma that is truth, they are regarded as most unassailable; they yield to no measure, and in the end they do not yield even to the deceit that wears the guise of dharma.
12.276.13
य एव प्रथमः कल्पस्तमेवात्र चरन्महान् ॥ १२.२७६.१३ ॥
In that very first aeon, the great one moves about here.
12.276.14
अस्यां स्थितौ स्थितानां हि प्रायश्चित्तं न विद्यते ।
यदा तु दुर्बलात्मानः प्रायश्चित्तं तदा भवेत् ॥ १२.२७६.१४ ॥
For those who abide in this order there is no expiation; but when men are weak in mind, then there is expiation.
12.276.15
एत एवंविधाः प्राहुः पुराणा यज्ञवाहनाः ।
त्रैविद्यवृद्धाः शुचयो वृत्तवन्तो यशस्विनः ॥ १२.२७६.१५ ॥
Such men, the ancients say, are bearers of the sacrifice: elders in the three Vedas, pure, of good conduct, and renowned.
12.276.16
यजन्तोऽहरहर्यज्ञैर्निराशीर्बन्धना बुधाः ।
तेषा यज्ञाश्च वेदाश्च कर्माणि च यथागमम् ॥ १२.२७६.१६ ॥
For the wise who sacrifice day by day and are free of the bonds of desire, their sacrifices, Vedas and rites are as tradition prescribes.
12.276.17
आगमाश्च यथाकामं संकल्पाश्च यथाव्रतम् ।
अपेतकामक्रोधानां दुश्चराचारकर्मणाम् ॥ १२.२७६.१७ ॥
For those free from desire and anger, who perform difficult observances and deeds, their doctrines follow their wishes and their resolves follow their vows.
12.276.18
स्वकर्मभिः शंसितानां प्रकृत्या शंसितात्मनाम् ।
ऋजूनां शमनित्यानां स्वेषु कर्मसु वर्तताम् ॥ १२.२७६.१८ ॥
Those praised for their own deeds, praised in nature and mind, upright, ever tranquil, and abiding in their own duties.
12.276.19
सर्वमानन्त्यमेवासीदिति नः शाश्वताश्चुतिः ।
तेषामदीनसत्वानां दुश्चराचारकर्मणाम् ॥ १२.२७६.१९ ॥
All was indeed infinite; this is our eternal revelation, of those of undaunted nature who practised difficult conduct and rites.
12.276.20
स्वकर्मभिः संसितानां तपो घोरत्वमागतम् ।
सं सदाचारमाश्चर्यं पुराणं शाश्वतं ध्रुवम् ॥ १२.२७६.२० ॥
The austerity of those refined by their own duties grew severe; good conduct was wondrous, ancient, eternal and fixed.
12.276.21
अशक्नुवद्भिश्चरितुं किंचिद्धर्मेषु सूचितम् ।
निरापद्धर्म आचारो ह्यप्रमादोऽपराभवः ॥ १२.२७६.२१ ॥
To those unable to practise even some part of the dharmas, this was indicated: the dharma free from distress, conduct, vigilance, and freedom from defeat.
12.276.22
सर्ववर्णेषु यत्तेषु नासीत्कश्चिद्व्यतिक्रमः ।
धर्ममेकं चतुष्पादमाश्रितास्ते नरा विभो ॥ १२.२७६.२२ ॥
Among all the classes there was no transgression; O mighty one, those men had resorted to the one four-footed dharma.
12.276.23
तं सन्तो विधिवत्प्राप्य गच्छन्ति परमां गतिम् ।
गृहेभ्य एव निष्क्रम्य वनमन्ये समाश्रिताः ॥ १२.२७६.२३ ॥
The good, having duly attained it, go to the supreme goal; others, having gone forth from their very houses, resorted to the forest.
12.276.24
गृहमेवाभिसंश्रित्य ततोऽन्ये ब्रह्मचारिणः ।
व्यस्तमेकं चतुर्धा तु ब्राह्मणा आश्रमं विदुः ॥ १२.२७६.२४ ॥
Then others, students of Brahman, resort to the household life alone; but the brahmins know the one stage of life as divided fourfold.
12.276.25
सर्वे सर्वत्र तिष्ठन्तो गच्छन्ति परमां गतिम् ।
एव एवंविधाः प्राहुः पुराणा ब्रह्मचारिणः ॥ १२.२७६.२५ ॥
Whether they stand anywhere at all, all of them attain the supreme goal. Such are the ones the ancients called celibate students.
12.276.26
त एते दिवि दृश्यन्ते ज्योतिर्भूता द्विजातयः ।
नक्षत्राणीव धिष्ण्येषु बहवस्तारकागणाः।
आनन्त्यमुपसंप्राप्ताः संतोषादिति वैदिकम् ॥ १२.२७६.२६ ॥
Those twice-born ones are seen in heaven become light, like the stars in their places, like many hosts of stars. Through contentment they have attained infinity—so the Vedic teaching holds.
12.276.27
यद्यागच्छन्ति संसारं पुनर्योनिषु तादृशाः ।
न लिप्यन्ते पारकृत्यैः कदाचित्कर्मयोनितः ॥ १२.२७६.२७ ॥
If such people return again into worldly existence, into wombs, they are never stained by others' deeds, nor by the source of action.
12.276.28
एवमेव ब्रह्मचारी शुश्रूषुर्घोरनिश्चयः ।
एवंयुक्तो ब्राह्मणः स्यादन्यो ब्राह्मणको भवेत् ॥ १२.२७६.२८ ॥
In the same way a celibate student should be one devoted to service and of firm resolve; only one so endowed should be a brahmin, while another may be a brahmin in name only.
12.276.29
कर्मैव पुरुषस्याह शुभं वा यदि वाऽशुभम् ।
एवं पक्वकषायाणामानन्त्येन श्रुतेन च ॥ १२.२७६.२९ ॥
It is action alone, the teaching declares for a person, whether good or bad. So for those whose impurities are ripened away, there is infinity and through what is heard (the teaching), liberation.
12.276.30
सर्वमानन्त्यमेवासीदिति नः शाश्वती श्रुतिः ।
तेषामपेततृष्णानां निर्णिक्तानां शुभात्मनाम् ॥ १२.२७६.३० ॥
All was indeed infinity—so our eternal revelation says. For those free from craving, purified, of good soul, this is the way.
12.276.31
चतुर्थ औपनिषदो धर्मः साधारणः स्मृतः ।
संसिद्धैः सेव्यते नित्यं ब्राह्मणैर्नियतात्मभिः ॥ १२.२७६.३१ ॥
The fourth, Upanishadic duty is remembered as common to all; the perfected brahmins of disciplined self always practice it.
12.276.32
संतोषमूलस्त्यागात्मा ज्ञानाधिष्ठानमुच्यते ।
अपवर्गमतिर्नित्यो यतिधर्मः सनातनः ॥ १२.२७६.३२ ॥
That whose root is contentment and whose nature is renunciation is called the foundation of knowledge; a mind fixed on liberation is the constant ascetic's duty, which is eternal.
12.276.33
साधारणः केवलो वा यथाबलमुपास्यते ।
गच्छन्ते बलिनः क्षेमं दुर्बलोऽत्रावसीदति।
ब्राह्मणः पदमन्विच्छन्संसारान्मुच्यते शुचिः ॥ १२.२७६.३३ ॥
Whether it is common or taken alone, it is practiced according to one's strength; the strong attain security, while the weak falter here. The pure brahmin, seeking that state, is freed from worldly existence.
12.276.34
स्यूमरश्मिरुवाच ।
ये भुञ्जते ये ददते यजन्तेऽधीयते च ये।
मात्राभिर्धर्मलुब्धाभिर्ये वा त्यागं समाश्रिताः ॥ १२.२७६.३४ ॥
Those who enjoy, who give, who sacrifice and study, who, greedy for merit, keep to measure, or who have taken refuge in renunciation—
12.276.35
एतेषां प्रेत्यभावे तु कतमः स्वर्गजित्तमः ।
एतदाचक्ष्व मे ब्रह्मन्याथातथ्येन पृच्छतः ॥ १२.२७६.३५ ॥
Among these, who after death is the greatest conqueror of heaven? O brahmin, tell me this, as I ask in truth.
12.276.36
परिग्रहाः शुभाः सर्वे गुणतोऽभ्युदयाश्च ते ।
न तु त्यागसुखं प्राप्ता एतत्त्वमपि पश्यसि ॥ १२.२७६.३६ ॥
All these acquisitions are auspicious and bring rises according to their qualities; yet they do not attain the happiness of renunciation—this you too can see.
12.276.37
स्यूमरश्मिरुवाच ।
भवन्तो ज्ञाननिष्ठा वै गृहस्थाः कर्मनिश्चयाः।
आश्रमाणां च सर्वेषां निष्ठायामैक्यमुच्यते ॥ १२.२७६.३७ ॥
Syūmaraśmi said: You are householders firm in knowledge and resolved in action; and in the steadfastness of all the stages of life, unity is declared.
12.276.38
एकत्वेन पृथक्त्वेन विशेषो नान्य उच्यते ।
तद्यथावद्यथान्यायं भगवान्प्रब्रवीतु मे ॥ १२.२७६.३८ ॥
Through oneness or through difference, no other distinction is declared. Let the venerable one explain that to me exactly and rightly.
12.276.39
शरीरपक्तिः कर्माणि ज्ञानं तु परमा गतिः ।
पक्वे कषायविज्ञानं यथा ज्ञानं च तिष्ठति ॥ १२.२७६.३९ ॥
Actions ripen the body, but knowledge is the highest goal. When it is ripe, the knowledge of the impurities arises, and knowledge abides as it is.
12.276.40
आनृशंस्यं क्षमा शान्तिरहिंसा सत्यमार्जवम् ।
अद्रोहोऽनभिमानश्च ह्रीस्तितिक्षा शमस्तथा ॥ १२.२७६.४० ॥
Kindness, forgiveness, peace, non-violence, truthfulness, straightforwardness, freedom from malice, absence of pride, modesty, endurance, and likewise self-control.
12.276.41
पन्थानो ब्रह्मणस्त्वेत एतैः प्राप्नोति यत्परम् ।
तद्विद्वाननुबुद्ध्येत मनसा कर्मनिश्चयम् ॥ १२.२७६.४१ ॥
These are the paths of Brahman; by these one attains that supreme. The learned one should understand that with the mind, and the resolve of action as well.
12.276.42
यां विप्राः सर्वतः शान्ता विशुद्धा ज्ञाननिश्चयाः ।
गतिं गच्छन्ति संतुष्टास्तामाहुः परमां गतिम् ॥ १२.२७६.४२ ॥
The goal which the calm, purified brahmins, resolved in knowledge, attain from every side, content — that they call the supreme goal.
12.276.43
वेदांश्च वेदितव्यं च विदित्वा च यथास्थितिम् ।
एवं वेदविदित्याहुरतोऽन्यो वातरेचकः ॥ १२.२७६.४३ ॥
Having known the Vedas, what is to be known, and the true state of things, one is called a knower of the Vedas; other than this is the one who empties the breath.
12.276.44
सर्वं विदुर्वेदविदो वेदे सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम् ।
वेदे हि निष्ठा सर्वस्य यद्यदस्ति च नास्ति च ॥ १२.२७६.४४ ॥
The knowers of the Vedas know everything; everything is established in the Vedas. Indeed, in the Vedas lies the foundation of all, whatever is and whatever is not.
12.276.45
एषैव निष्ठा सर्वत्र यत्तदस्ति च नास्ति च ।
एतदन्तं च मध्यं च सच्चाऽसच्च विजानतः ॥ १२.२७६.४५ ॥
This alone is the foundation everywhere: what is and what is not. For one who knows, this is the end and the middle; this is being and non-being.
12.276.46
समाप्तं त्याग इत्येव शम इत्येव निश्चितम् ।
संतोष इत्यनुगतमपवर्गे प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ १२.२७६.४६ ॥
Renunciation is completion; tranquility alone is certain; contentment follows after. It is established in liberation.
12.276.47
ऋतं सत्यं विदितं वेदितव्यं ।
सर्वस्यात्मा स्थावरं जङ्गमं च।
सर्वं सुखं यच्छिवमुत्तरं च ।
ब्रह्माव्यक्तं प्रभवश्चाव्ययं च ॥ १२.२७६.४७ ॥
Ṛta and truth are known, and what is to be known. He is the self of all, the immovable and the movable. He is all happiness, the auspicious, the supreme; he is Brahman—unmanifest, the source of origin, imperishable.
12.276.48
तेजः क्षमा शान्तिरनामयं शुभं ।
तथाविधं व्योम सनातनं ध्रुवम्।
एतैः शब्दैर्गम्यते बुद्धिनेत्रै ।
स्तस्मै नमो ब्रह्मणे ब्राह्मणाय ॥ १२.२७६.४८ ॥
Radiance, forbearance, peace, freedom from disease, auspiciousness; such is space, eternal and fixed. By these words he is reached through the eyes of intellect. Homage to that Brahman, to that brahmin.