Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.329
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12.329.1
कथं निर्वेदमापन्नः शुको वैयासकिः पुरा ।
एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥ १२.३२९.१ ॥
How did Śuka, son of Vyāsa, attain dispassion in former times? I wish to hear this, for my curiosity is great.
12.329.2
प्राकृतेनैव वृत्तेन चरन्तमकुतोभयम् ।
अध्याप्य कृत्स्नं स्वाध्यायमन्वशाद्वै पिता सुतम् ॥ १२.३२९.२ ॥
The father, having taught the entire Vedic study to his son, who wandered in ordinary conduct and was fearless from any quarter, instructed him.
12.329.3
धर्मं पुत्र निपेवस्व सुतीक्ष्णौ च हिमातपौ ।
क्षुत्पिपासे च वायुं च जय नित्यं जितेन्द्रियः ॥ १२.३२९.३ ॥
O son, cling to dharma; endure the sharp cold and heat, hunger and thirst, and the wind. Always conquer, with senses subdued.
12.329.4
सत्यमार्जवमक्रोधमनसूयां दमं तपः ।
अहिंसां चानृशंस्यं च विधिवत्परिपालय ॥ १२.३२९.४ ॥
Truthfulness, uprightness, freedom from anger and envy, self-restraint, austerity, non-violence and kindness—observe these fully, according to rule.
12.329.5
सत्ये तिष्ठ रतो धर्मे हित्वा सर्वमनार्जवम् ।
देवतातिथिशेषेण यात्रां प्राणस्य संलिह ॥ १२.३२९.५ ॥
Stand firm in truth, delight in dharma, abandoning all crookedness; keep the journey of life going only with what remains after the gods and guests have been fed.
12.329.6
फेनमात्रोपमे देहे जीवे शकुनिवत्स्थिते ।
अनित्ये प्रियसंवासे कथं स्वपिषि पुत्रक ॥ १२.३२९.६ ॥
The body is no more than foam, and the living being dwells in it like a bird; union with the beloved is impermanent. How can you sleep, my son?
12.329.7
अप्रमत्तेषु जाग्रत्सु नित्ययुक्तेषु शत्रुषु ।
अन्तरं लिप्यमानेषु बालस्त्वं नावबुध्यसे ॥ १२.३२९.७ ॥
Among the heedful, the waking, the ever-ready enemies, while they mark the opening, you, like a child, do not perceive it.
12.329.8
अहःसु गण्यमानेषु क्षीयमाणे तथाऽऽयुषि ।
जीविते लिख्यमाने च किमुत्थाय न धावसि ॥ १२.३२९.८ ॥
While the days are being counted, while life-span wanes and one's life is being written down, why do you not rise and hasten?
12.329.9
ऐहलौकिकनीहन्ते मांसशोणितवर्धनम् ।
पारलौकिककार्येषु प्रसुप्ता भृशनास्तिकाः ॥ १२.३२९.९ ॥
Those who strive for this world, for what increases flesh and blood, who lie asleep to the duties of the next world, are utterly unbelieving.
12.329.10
धर्माय येऽभ्यसूयन्ति बुद्धिमोहान्विता नराः ।
अपथा गच्छतां तेषामनुयाताऽपि पीड्यते ॥ १२.३२९.१० ॥
Men clouded by the delusion of intellect who revile dharma go off the path; even one who follows them is afflicted.
12.329.11
ये तु तुष्टाः श्रुतिपरा महात्मानो महाबलाः ।
धर्म्यं पन्थानमारूढास्तानुपास्स्व च पृच्छ च ॥ १२.३२९.११ ॥
But serve and question those who are content, devoted to the Vedic revelation, great-souled and mighty, who have ascended the righteous path.
12.329.12
उपधार्य मतं तेषां बुधानां धर्मदर्शिनाम् ।
नियच्छ परया बुद्ध्या चित्तमुत्पथगामि वै ॥ १२.३२९.१२ ॥
Having weighed the counsel of those wise men who see dharma, restrain with supreme understanding the mind that tends to go astray.
12.329.13
आद्यकालिकया बुद्ध्या दूरेश्च इति निर्भयाः ।
सर्वभक्ष्या न पश्यन्ति कर्मभूमिमचेतसः ॥ १२.३२९.१३ ॥
Fearless through a primordial, far-reaching intellect, those who devour everything do not see the field of action; they are unconscious.
12.329.14
धर्मं निःश्रेणिमास्थाय किंचित्किंचित्समारुह ।
कोशकारवदात्मानं वेष्टयन्नावबुध्यसे ॥ १२.३२९.१४ ॥
Mount the ladder of dharma and climb up little by little; wrapping yourself like a silkworm, you do not perceive it.
12.329.15
नास्तिकं भिन्नमर्यादं कूलपातमिव स्थितम् ।
वामतः कुरु विस्रब्धो नरं वेणुमिवोद्धृतम् ॥ १२.३२९.१५ ॥
Avoid the atheist whose boundaries are broken, standing like a collapsing river-bank; withdraw confidently to the left, as from an uprooted bamboo.
12.329.16
कामक्रोधग्राहवतीं पञ्चेन्द्रियजलां नदीम् ।
नावं धृतिमयीं कृत्वा जन्मदुर्गाणि संतर ॥ १२.३२९.१६ ॥
Making a boat of steadfastness out of the river full of the crocodiles of desire and anger, with the waters of the five senses, cross over the fortresses of birth.
12.329.17
मृत्युनाऽभ्याहते लोके जरया परिपीडिते ।
अमोघासु पतन्तीषु धर्मयानेन संतर ॥ १२.३२९.१७ ॥
In this world struck by death and afflicted by old age, while unerring arrows fall, cross over by the vehicle of dharma.
12.329.18
तिष्ठन्तं च शयानं च मृत्युरन्वेषते यदा ।
निर्वृत्तिं लभते कस्मादकस्मान्मृत्युनाऽशितः ॥ १२.३२९.१८ ॥
When death seeks out the one standing and the one lying down, how can a man attain rest? How can one, suddenly seized by death, be at peace?
12.329.19
संचिन्वानकमेवैनं कामानामवितृप्तकम् ।
वृकीवोरणमासाद्य मृत्युरादायं गच्छति ॥ १२.३२९.१९ ॥
Gathering up desires, never satisfied, this man is carried off by death as a she-wolf seizes a sheep.
12.329.20
क्रमशः संचितशिखो धर्मबुद्धिमयो महान् ।
अन्धकारे प्रवेष्टव्ये दीपो यत्नेन धार्यताम् ॥ १२.३२९.२० ॥
A great lamp, its flame gathered little by little and made of righteous intellect: when one must enter darkness, let it be carefully held.
12.329.21
संपतन्देहजालानि कदाचिदिह मानुषे ।
ब्राह्मण्यं लभते जन्तुस्तत्पुत्र परिपालय ॥ १२.३२९.२१ ॥
Falling through a net of bodies, a living being at some time in this human state attains the status of a brahmin; therefore, son, protect it.
12.329.22
ब्राह्मणस्य तु देहोऽयं न कामार्थाय जायते ।
इह क्लेशाय तपसे प्रेत्य त्वनुपमं सुखम् ॥ १२.३२९.२२ ॥
The body of a brahmin is not born for the sake of desire or wealth; here it is for hardship and austerity, and after death for an incomparable happiness.
12.329.23
ब्राह्मण्यं बहुभिरवाप्यते तपोभि ।
स्तल्लब्ध्वा न रतिपरेण हेलितव्यम्।
स्वाध्याये तपसि दमे च नित्ययुक्तः ।
मोक्षार्थी कुशलपरः सदा यतस्व ॥ १२.३२९.२३ ॥
The state of a brahmin is obtained through many austerities. Having obtained it, one intent on pleasure must not neglect it. Always devoted to study, austerity and self-restraint, seeking liberation and intent on the good, always strive.
12.329.24
अव्यक्तप्रकृतिरयं कलाशरीरः ।
सूक्ष्मात्मा क्षणत्रुटिका निमेषरोमा।
यानेतत्समबलशुक्लकृष्णनेत्रो ।
मासाङ्गो द्रवति वयोहयो नराणाम् ॥ १२.३२९.२४ ॥
Its nature unmanifest, its body made of the parts of time, its self subtle, its limbs moments and instants, its hairs the blinks of an eye, its two eyes white and black of equal strength, its limbs months: this horse of years runs away for men.
12.329.25
तं दृष्ट्वा प्रसृतमजस्रमुग्रवेगं ।
गच्छन्तं सततमिहान्ववेक्षमाणम्।
यक्षुस्ते यदि न परप्रणेतृनेयं ।
धर्मे ते रमतु मनः परं निशाम्य ॥ १२.३२९.२५ ॥
Seeing it spreading out without ceasing, of fierce speed, ever moving and watched here, if you desire to know what cannot be led by another guide, may your mind, having understood the supreme, delight in dharma.
12.329.26
येऽमी तु प्रचलितधर्मकामवृत्ताः ।
क्रोशन्तः सततमनिष्टसंप्रयोगात्।
क्लिश्यन्तः परिगतवेदनाशरीरा ।
बह्वीभिः सुभृशमधर्मवागुराभिः ॥ १२.३२९.२६ ॥
But those whose conduct has strayed from dharma and desire, crying out constantly from union with what is undesired, suffering with bodies overcome by pain, are greatly bound by the many snares of adharma.
12.329.27
राजा सदा धर्मपरः शुभाशुभस्य गोप्ता ।
समीक्ष्य सुकृतिनां दधाति लोकान्।
बहुविधमपि चरति प्रविशति ।
सुखमनुपगतं निरवद्यम् ॥ १२.३२९.२७ ॥
The king, ever devoted to dharma, is the protector of good and evil; having observed the virtuous, he bestows worlds upon them. Moving in many ways, he enters blameless happiness not yet attained.
12.329.28
श्वानो भीषणकाया अयोमुखानि वयांसि ।
बलगृध्रकुररपक्षिणां च संघातम्।
नरकदने रुधिरपा गुरुवचन ।
नुदमुपरतं विशन्त्यसन्तः ॥ १२.३२९.२८ ॥
Dogs with terrible bodies, birds with iron beaks, strong vultures, ospreys and flocks of birds, drinkers of blood in the torment of hell, driven away from the words of the teacher—into this the wicked enter.
12.329.29
मर्यादा नियताः स्वयम्भुवा य इहेमाः ।
प्रभिनत्ति दश गुणा मनोऽनुगत्वात्।
निवसति भृशमसुखं पितृविषय ।
विपिनमवगाह्य स पापः ॥ १२.३२९.२९ ॥
Whoever breaks these boundaries fixed here by the Self-existent one, his ten qualities are destroyed by following the mind; that sinner, having plunged into a forest in the realm of the ancestors, dwells in great misery.
12.329.30
यो लुब्ध सुभृशं प्रियानृतश्च मनुष्यः ।
सततनिकृतिवञ्चनाभिरतिः स्यात्।
उपनिधिभिरसुखकृत्स परमनिरयगो ।
भृशमसुखमनुभवति दुष्कृतकर्मा ॥ १२.३२९.३० ॥
The man who is very greedy, fond of pleasant falsehood, constantly delighting in cheating and deception, who causes suffering to others through entrusted deposits, that evil-doer goes to the greatest hell and experiences great suffering.
12.329.31
उष्णां वैतरणीं महानदीमव ।
गाढोऽसिपत्रवनभिन्नगात्रः।
परशुवनशयोनिपतितो ।
वसति च महानिरये भृशार्तः ॥ १२.३२९.३१ ॥
He plunges into the hot great river Vaitaraṇī, his body pierced in the forest of sword-leaves; fallen and lying in the forest of axes, he dwells in the great hell, greatly distressed.
12.329.32
महापादनि कत्थसे न चाप्यवेक्षसे परम् ।
चिरस्य मृत्युकारिकामनागतां न बुध्यसे ॥ १२.३२९.३२ ॥
You boast of your great feet, yet you do not look beyond; the cause of death, long since on its way, you do not understand.
12.329.33
प्रयस्यतां किमास्यते समुत्थितं महद्भयम् ।
अतिप्रमार्थि दारुणं सुखस्य संविधीयताम् ॥ १२.३२९.३३ ॥
Strive! Why do you sit idle? A great and terrible fear has arisen, which utterly destroys happiness; let provision be made for happiness.
12.329.34
पुरा मृतः प्रणीयसे यमस्य राजशासनात् ।
त्वमन्तकाय दारुणैः प्रयत्नमार्जवे कुरु ॥ १२.३२९.३४ ॥
As one already dead, you are being led away by the royal command of Yama; make a terrible effort toward the Ender of life with straightforwardness.
12.329.35
पुरा समूलबान्धवं प्रभुर्हरत्यदुःखवित् ।
कियत्तवेह जीवितं यमे न चास्ति वारकः ॥ १२.३२९.३५ ॥
Before now the Lord, knowing no sorrow, carries off a whole line of kin, root and branch; how much life is there for you here? And before Yama there is none to hold back.
12.329.36
पुरा विवाति मारुतो यमस्य यः पुरःसरः ।
पुरैक एव नीयसे कुरुष्व सांपरायिकम् ॥ १२.३२९.३६ ॥
The wind that goes before Yama already blows. You alone will be led away; therefore do what is needed for the next world.
12.329.37
पुरा स एक एव ते प्रवाति मारुतोऽन्तकः ।
पुरा च विभ्रमन्ति ते दिशो महाभयागमे ॥ १२.३२९.३७ ॥
That wind of the Ender already blows for you, and when great fear comes your directions already reel.
12.329.38
श्रुतिश्च सन्निरुध्यते पुरा तवेह पुत्रक ।
समाकुलस्य गच्छतः समाधिमुत्तमं कुरु ॥ १२.३२९.३८ ॥
Son, your hearing is already being shut off here; while you go on in agitation, attain the highest concentration.
12.329.39
शुभाशुभे पुरा कृते प्रमादकर्मविप्लुते ।
स्मरन्पुराऽनुतप्यसे निधत्स्व केवलं निधिम् ॥ १२.३२९.३९ ॥
The good and bad deeds done before, confused by heedless acts, you will remember and regret even beforehand; lay down only one treasure.
12.329.40
पुरा जरा कलेवरं विजर्झरीकरोति ते ।
बलाङ्गरूपहारिणी निधत्स्व केवलं निधिम् ॥ १२.३२९.४० ॥
Old age already makes your body rotten and worn, stealing strength, limbs and beauty; lay down only one treasure.
12.329.41
पुरा शरीरमन्तको भिनत्ति रोगसायकैः ।
प्रसह्य जीवितक्षये तपो महत्समारभ ॥ १२.३२९.४१ ॥
The Ender already pierces your body with arrows of disease; before life ends, forcefully undertake great austerity.
12.329.42
पुरा वृका भयंकरा मनुष्यदेहगोचराः ।
अभिद्रवन्ति सर्वतो यतस्व पुण्यशीलने ॥ १२.३२९.४२ ॥
Formerly, terrible wolves that roam within reach of human bodies rush upon one from every side. O you of virtuous conduct, strive.
12.329.43
पुरान्धकारमेककोऽनुपश्यसि त्वरस्व वै ।
पुरा हिरण्मयान्नगान्निरीक्षसेऽद्रिमूर्धनि ॥ १२.३२९.४३ ॥
Formerly you see darkness alone; hasten indeed. Formerly, upon the mountain-peak, you gaze at golden mountains.
12.329.44
पुरा कुसङ्गतानि ते सुहृन्मुखाश्च शत्रवः ।
विचालयन्ति दर्शनाद्धटस्व पुत्र यत्परम् ॥ १२.३२९.४४ ॥
Formerly your bad companions and enemies with friendly faces shake you from the sight of truth. O son, strive for that which is supreme.
12.329.45
धनस्य यस्य राजतो भयं न चास्ति चोरतः ।
मृतं च यन्न मुञ्चति समार्जयस्व तद्धनम् ॥ १२.३२९.४५ ॥
Acquire thoroughly that wealth which holds no fear from the king or from thieves, and which does not forsake one even at death.
12.329.46
न तत्र संविभज्यते स्वकर्मभिः परस्परम् ।
यदेव यस्य यौतकं तदेव तत्र सोऽश्नृते ॥ १२.३२९.४६ ॥
There, nothing is shared among one another by their own deeds; whatever belongs to each, that alone he enjoys there.
12.329.47
परत्र तेन जीव्यते तदेव पुत्र जीयताम् ।
धनं यदक्षरं ध्रुवं समार्जयस्व तत्स्वयम् ॥ १२.३२९.४७ ॥
In the next world one lives by that alone; therefore, O son, let that be won. Acquire for yourself thoroughly that wealth which is imperishable and lasting.
12.329.48
न यावदेव पच्यते महाजनस्य यावकम् ।
अपक्व एव यावके पुरा प्रलीयते त्वरम् ॥ १२.३२९.४८ ॥
Before a great man's barley-gruel is even cooked, it quickly perishes while still uncooked in the gruel.
12.329.49
न मातृपुत्रबान्धवा न संस्तुतः प्रियो जनः ।
अनुव्रजन्ति संकटे व्रजन्तमेकपातिनम् ॥ १२.३२९.४९ ॥
Neither mother, sons, kinsmen, acquaintances, nor dear people follow one who goes alone in distress.
12.329.50
यदेव कर्म केवलं पुराकृतं शुभाशुभम् ।
तदेव पुत्र यौतकं भवत्यमुत्र गच्छतः ॥ १२.३२९.५० ॥
Son, only the good and bad deeds done before are what accompany one who goes to the other world.
12.329.51
हिरण्यरत्नसंचयाः शुभाशुभेन संचिताः ।
न तस्य देहसंक्षये भवन्ति कार्यसाधकाः ॥ १२.३२९.५१ ॥
Hoards of gold and jewels gathered through good and bad deeds do not accomplish his purposes when the body is destroyed.
12.329.52
न पुत्र शान्तिरस्ति ते कृताकृतस्य कर्मणः ।
न साक्षिकोऽऽत्मना समो नृणामिहास्ति कश्चन ॥ १२.३२९.५२ ॥
Son, there is no peace for you regarding deeds done and undone; for men here there is no witness equal to one's own self.
12.329.53
मनुष्यदेहशून्यकं भवत्यमुत्र गच्छतः ।
प्रविश्य बुद्धिचक्षुषा प्रदृश्यते हि सर्वशः ॥ १२.३२९.५३ ॥
For one who goes to the other world, emptied of the human body, it is revealed; entering with the eye of understanding, it is seen completely.
12.329.54
इहाग्निसूर्यवायवः शरीरमाश्रितास्त्रयः ।
त एव तस्य साक्षिणो भवन्ति धर्मदर्शिनः ॥ १२.३२९.५४ ॥
Here, the three — fire, sun and wind — dwelling in the body, are its witnesses; they are seers of dharma.
12.329.55
अहनिंशेषु सर्वतः स्पृशत्सु सर्वचारिषु ।
प्रकाशगूढवृत्तिषु स्वधर्ममेव पालय ॥ १२.३२९.५५ ॥
By day and by night, pervading everywhere, among all moving beings and among those whose conduct is open or hidden, keep to your own dharma.
12.329.56
अनेकपारिपान्थके विरूपरौद्रमक्षिके ।
स्वमेव कर्म रक्ष्यतां स्वकर्म तत्र गच्छति ॥ १२.३२९.५६ ॥
In that place of many paths, full of dreadful and ugly flies, guard your own deed alone; there one's own deed goes along.
12.329.57
न तत्र संविभज्यते स्वकर्मभिः परस्परम् ।
तथा कृतं स्वकर्मजं तदेव भुज्यते फलम् ॥ १२.३२९.५७ ॥
There the fruit is not shared out among one another by their deeds; the very fruit born of one's own deed, as it was done, is what is enjoyed.
12.329.58
यथाऽप्सरोगणाः फलं सुखं महर्षिभिः सह ।
तथाऽऽप्नुवन्ति कर्मजं विमानकामगामिनः ॥ १२.३२९.५८ ॥
Just as troops of apsarases, together with the great sages, obtain the fruit and happiness born of deeds, so do those who go in celestial vehicles wherever they wish obtain what is born of their deeds.
12.329.59
यथेह यत्कृतं शुभं विपाप्मभिः कृतात्मभिः ।
तदाप्नुवन्ति मानवास्तथा विशुद्धयोनयः ॥ १२.३२९.५९ ॥
Just as here the good deed done by those free from sin and of self-controlled mind is obtained, so do people of pure birth obtain it.
12.329.60
प्रजापतेः सलोकतां बृहस्पतेः शतक्रतोः ।
व्रजन्ति ते परां गतिं गृहस्थधर्मसेतुभिः ॥ १२.३२९.६० ॥
They attain the company of Prajāpati, Bṛhaspati and Śatakratu (Indra), and by the bridges of the householder's duty they go to the supreme goal.
12.329.61
सहस्रशोऽप्यनेकशः प्रवक्तुमुत्सहामहे ।
अबुद्धिमोहनं पुनः प्रभुस्तु तेन पावकः ॥ १२.३२९.६१ ॥
We are eager to explain this in thousands of ways and in many forms; the lord who bewilders the unwise is again He, and by Him Fire (is kindled).
12.329.62
गता त्रिरष्टवर्षता ध्रुवोऽसि पञ्चविंशकः ।
कुरष्व धर्मसंचयं वयो हि तेऽतिवर्तते ॥ १२.३२९.६२ ॥
Three times eight years have gone by; you are surely twenty-five. Gather the store of dharma, for your age is surely passing away.
12.329.63
पुरा करोति सोऽन्तकः प्रमादगोमुखां चमूम् ।
यथागृहीतमुत्थितस्त्वरस्व धर्मपालने ॥ १२.३२९.६३ ॥
Before that, the Ender (Death) readies his army with heedlessness for its face; rise up as one who has taken up arms, and hasten to keep dharma.
12.329.64
यथा त्वमेव पृष्ठतस्त्वमग्रतो गमिष्यसि ।
तथा गतिं गमिष्यतः किमात्मना परेण वा ॥ १२.३२९.६४ ॥
Just as you now walk behind, so later you will go in front; for the destiny of those who are about to go, what is to be done—by oneself or by another?
12.329.65
यदेकपातिनां सतां भवत्यमुत्र गच्छताम् ।
भयेषु सांपरायिकं निधत्स्व केवलं निधिम् ॥ १२.३२९.६५ ॥
Since for the good who fall alone there is (support) in the next world, for those who go there the wealth belonging to the next world, which serves in times of fear, is the only treasure; lay it up.
12.329.66
सतूलमूलबान्धवं प्रभुर्हरत्यसङ्गवान् ।
न सन्ति यस्य वारकाः कुरष्व धर्मसंनिधिम् ॥ १२.३२९.६६ ॥
The lord, who has no obstacles, carries off everything, root and kin alike, without attachment; therefore make your abode in dharma.
12.329.67
इदं निदर्शनं मया तवेह पुत्र संमतम् ।
स्वदर्शनानुपानतः प्रवर्णितं कुरुष्व तत् ॥ १२.३२९.६७ ॥
Son, this illustration I have set forth here for you is approved; what has been described by inference from your own inner vision, follow that.
12.329.68
ददाति यः स्वकर्मणा धनानि यस्यकस्यचित् ।
अबुद्धिमोहजैर्गुणैः स एक एव युज्यते ॥ १२.३२९.६८ ॥
He who gives wealth to anyone whomsoever by his own deeds is bound to it alone, through the qualities born of ignorance and delusion.
12.329.69
शुभं समस्तमश्नुते प्रकुर्वतः शुभाः क्रियाः ।
तदेतदर्थदर्शनं कृतज्ञमर्थसंहितम् ॥ १२.३२९.६९ ॥
He who performs good deeds enjoys every good result; this teaching of meaning is grateful, and full of sense.
12.329.70
निबन्धनी रज्जुरेषा या ग्रामे वसतो रतिः ।
छित्त्वैतां सुकृतो यान्ति नैनां छिदन्ति दुष्कृतः ॥ १२.३२९.७० ॥
This rope of bondage is the delight of one who dwells in the village; having cut it, the righteous go forth, but the wicked cannot cut it.
12.329.71
किं ते धनेन किं बन्धुभिस्ते ।
किं ते पुत्रैः पुत्रक यो मरिष्यसि।
आत्मानमन्विच्छ गुहां प्रविष्टं ।
पितामहास्ते क्व गताश्च सर्वे ॥ १२.३२९.७१ ॥
What use is wealth to you, what use kinsmen, what use sons to you, dear son, when you will die? Seek the self that has entered the cave; where have all your forefathers gone?
12.329.72
श्वः कार्यमद्ये कुर्वीत पूर्वाह्णे चापराह्णिकम् ।
न हि प्रतीक्षते मृत्युः कृतं वाऽस्य न वाऽकृतम् ॥ १२.३२९.७२ ॥
One should do tomorrow's task today, and the afternoon's task in the forenoon, for death does not wait to see whether a man's work is done or not done.
12.329.73
अनुगम्य विनाशान्ते निवर्तन्ते ह बान्धवाः ।
अग्नौ प्रक्षिप्य पुरुषं ज्ञातयः सुहृदस्तथा ॥ १२.३२९.७३ ॥
Following him to the end of his destruction, his kinsmen turn back; having cast the man into the fire, his relatives and friends likewise go back.
12.329.74
नास्तिकान्निरनुक्रोशान्नरान्पापमते स्थितान् ।
वामतः कुरु विस्रब्धं परं प्रेप्सुरतन्द्रितः ॥ १२.३२९.७४ ॥
Keep the atheists, the merciless, and those of evil mind to your left; desiring the highest good, act with confidence and without sloth.
12.329.75
एवमभ्याहते लोके कालेनोपनिपीडिते ।
सुमहद्धैर्यमालम्ब्य धर्मं सर्वात्मना कुरु ॥ १२.३२९.७५ ॥
When the world is thus struck and oppressed by time, take hold of the greatest steadiness and practice dharma with your whole self.
12.329.76
अथेमं दर्शनोपायं सम्यग्यो वेत्ति मानवः ।
सम्यक् स्वधर्मं कृत्वेह परत्र सुखमश्नुते ॥ १२.३२९.७६ ॥
Now, the man who rightly knows this means of insight, and who rightly performs his own dharma here, attains happiness in the next world as well.
12.329.77
न देहभेदे मरणं विजानतां ।
न च प्रणाशः स्वनुपालिते पथि।
धर्मं हि यो बर्धयते स पण्डितो ।
य एव धर्माच्च्यवते स दह्यते ॥ १२.३२९.७७ ॥
For those who know, there is no death in the breaking of the body, nor is there destruction for one who walks the well-guarded path. He who nurtures dharma is the wise man; he who falls away from dharma burns.
12.329.78
प्रयुक्तयोः कर्मपथि स्वकर्मणोः ।
फलं प्रयोक्ता लभते यथाविधि।
निहीनकर्मा निरयं प्रपद्यते ।
त्रिविष्टपं गच्छति धर्मपारगः ॥ १२.३२९.७८ ॥
Of those two, each applied to his own deeds on the path of action, the doer obtains the fruit according to rule. One of base deeds goes to hell; one who has gone beyond in dharma goes to heaven.
12.329.79
सोपानभूतं स्वर्गस्य मानुष्यं प्राप्य दुर्लभम् ।
तथाऽऽत्मानं समादध्याद्धश्यते न पुनर्यथा ॥ १२.३२९.७९ ॥
Having obtained human birth, rare and a staircase to heaven, one should so steady oneself that one is not cast down again.
12.329.80
यस्य नोत्क्रामति मतिः स्वर्गमार्गानुसारिणी ।
तमाहुः पुण्यकर्माणमशोच्यं मित्रबान्धवैः ॥ १२.३२९.८० ॥
Of him whose mind, following the path to heaven, does not depart, they say he is one of meritorious deeds, not to be grieved for by friends and kinsmen.
12.329.81
यस्य नोपहता बुद्धिर्निश्चये ह्यवलम्बते ।
स्वर्गे कृतावकाशस्य नास्ति तस्य महद्भयम् ॥ १२.३२९.८१ ॥
Whose intellect is not impaired and holds fast in certainty, and who has made room in heaven, for him there is no great fear.
12.329.82
तपोवनेषु ये जातास्तत्रैव निधनं गताः ।
तेषामल्पतरो धर्मः कामभोगानजानताम् ॥ १२.३२९.८२ ॥
For those born in forest hermitages of austerity and who died right there, their dharma is far less than that of those who do not know the pleasures of desire.
12.329.83
यस्तु भोगान्परित्यज्य शरीरेण तपश्चरेत् ।
न तेन किंचिन्न प्राप्तं तन्मे बहुमतं फलम् ॥ १२.३२९.८३ ॥
But he who, abandoning pleasures, practises austerity with his body, though he obtains nothing from it, that fruit I hold in high esteem.
12.329.84
मातापितृसहस्राणि पुत्रदारशतानि च ।
अनागतान्यतीतानि कस्य ते कस्य वा वयम् ॥ १२.३२९.८४ ॥
Thousands of mothers and fathers, and hundreds of sons and wives, both those yet to come and those already gone — whose are they? Yours, or whose, or ours?
12.329.85
अहमेको न मे कश्चिन्नाहमन्यस्य कस्यचित् ।
न तं पश्यामि यस्याहं तन्न पश्यामि यो मम ॥ १२.३२९.८५ ॥
I am alone; no one is mine, and I belong to no one else. I do not see him to whom I belong, nor do I see him who is mine.
12.329.86
न तेषां भवता कार्यं न कार्यं तव तैरपि ।
स्वकृतैस्तानि जातानि भवांश्चैव गमिष्यति ॥ १२.३२९.८६ ॥
You have no duty toward them, nor they toward you. They have come into being through their own deeds, and you too will surely depart.
12.329.87
इह लोके हि धनिना परोऽपि स्वजनायते ।
स्वजनस्तु दरिद्राणां जीवतामपि नश्यति ॥ १२.३२९.८७ ॥
In this world, even a stranger becomes like a kinsman to the wealthy; but to the poor, even a living kinsman perishes.
12.329.88
संचिनोत्यशुभं कर्म कलत्रापेक्षया नरः ।
ततः क्लेशमवाप्नोति परत्रेह तथैव च ॥ १२.३२९.८८ ॥
A man accumulates inauspicious deeds for the sake of his wife, and then obtains suffering in this world and likewise in the next.
12.329.89
पश्यति च्छिन्नभूतं हि जीवलोकं स्वकर्मणा ।
तत्कुरुष्व तथा पुत्र कृत्स्नं यत्समुदाहृतम् ॥ १२.३२९.८९ ॥
For he sees the living world as one of beings cut off by their own deeds. Therefore, O son, do entirely as has been set forth.
12.329.90
तदेतत्संप्रदृश्यैव कर्म भूमिं प्रपश्यतः ।
शुभान्याचरितव्यानि परलोकमभीप्सता ॥ १२.३२९.९० ॥
Having clearly seen this, one who looks at action upon the earth and desires the next world should perform good deeds.
12.329.91
मासर्तुसंज्ञापरिवर्तकेन ।
सूर्याग्निना रात्रिदिवेन्धनेन।
स्वकर्मनिष्ठाफलसाक्षिकेण ।
भूतानि कालः पचति प्रसह्य ॥ १२.३२९.९१ ॥
Time, the changer of the names of months and seasons, whose fire is the sun, whose fuel is night and day, the witness of the fruits of one's own deeds, forcibly cooks all beings.
12.329.92
धनेन किं यन्न ददाति नाश्नुते ।
बलेन किं येन रिपुं न बाधते।
श्रुतेन किं येन न धर्ममाचरे ।
त्किमात्मना यो न जितेन्द्रियो वशी ॥ १२.३२९.९२ ॥
What is the use of wealth that neither gives nor is enjoyed? What is the use of strength by which one cannot oppress an enemy? What is the use of learning by which one does not practise dharma? What is the use of a self that has not conquered the senses and is not self-controlled?
12.329.93
इदं द्वैपायनवचो हितमुक्तं निशम्य तु ।
शुको गतः परित्यज्य पितरं मोक्षदैशिकम् ॥ १२.३२९.९३ ॥
Having heard these beneficial words of Dvaipāyana, Śuka departed, leaving behind his father, the teacher of liberation.