Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.349

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Read with meanings

12.349.1

कथं स भगवान्देवो यज्ञेष्वग्रहरः प्रभुः ।
यज्ञधारी च सततं वेदवेदाङ्गवित्तथा ॥ १२.३४९.१ ॥

How is that blessed god, the lord who first receives the offering in sacrifices, the bearer of sacrifice, who always knows the Vedas and their limbs?

12.349.2

निवृत्तं चास्थितो धर्मं क्षेमी भागवतः प्रभुः ।
निवृत्तिधर्मान्विदधे स एव भगवान्प्रभुः ॥ १२.३४९.२ ॥

The lord, a devotee of the Blessed One who bestows welfare, who abides in the path of renunciation — that very blessed lord ordained the duties of renunciation.

12.349.3

कथं प्रवृत्तिधर्मेषु भागार्हा देवताः कृताः ।
कथं निवृत्तिधर्माश्च कृता व्यावृत्तबुद्धयः ॥ १२.३४९.३ ॥

How were the gods made worthy of a share in the duties of engagement? And how were those whose minds have turned away made to follow the duties of renunciation?

12.349.4

एतं नः संशयं सौते छिन्धि गुह्यं सनातनम् ।
त्वया नारायणकथाः श्रुता वै धर्मसंहिताः ॥ १२.३४९.४ ॥

O Sauti, resolve this doubt of ours, which is secret and eternal; for you have heard the tales of Nārāyaṇa and the collections of dharma.

12.349.5

सौतिरुवाच ।
जनमेजयेन यत्पृष्टः शिष्यो व्यासस्य धीमतः।
तत्तेऽहं कथयिष्यामि पौराणं शौनकोत्तम ॥ १२.३४९.५ ॥

What Janamejaya asked of the disciple of the wise Vyāsa, that ancient lore I shall now relate to you, O best of the Śaunakas.

12.349.6

श्रुत्वा माहात्म्यमेतस्य देहिनां परमात्मनः ।
जनमेजयो महाप्राज्ञो वैशंपायनमब्रवीत् ॥ १२.३४९.६ ॥

Having heard this greatness of the supreme Self of embodied beings, the greatly wise Janamejaya spoke to Vaiśaṃpāyana.

12.349.7

इमे सब्रह्यका लोकाः ससुरासुरमानवाः ।
क्रियास्वभ्युदयोक्तासु सक्ता दृश्यन्ति सर्वशः ॥ १२.३४९.७ ॥

These worlds, together with Brahmā, and gods, demons and men, are seen everywhere attached to the rites declared to bring prosperity.

12.349.8

मोक्षश्चोक्तस्त्वया ब्रह्मन्निर्वाणं परमं सुखम् ।
ये तु मुक्ता भवन्तीह पुण्यपापविवर्जिताः।
ते सहस्रार्चिषं देवं प्रविशन्तीह शुश्रुम् ॥ १२.३४९.८ ॥

O brahmin, you have taught liberation and nirvāṇa, the supreme bliss. We have heard that those who here become released, free from merit and demerit, enter the thousand-rayed god.

12.349.9

अयं हि दुरनुष्ठेयो मोक्षधर्मः सनातनः ।
यं हित्वा देवताः सर्वा हव्यकव्यभुजोऽभवन् ॥ १२.३४९.९ ॥

This eternal dharma of liberation is hard to practise; having abandoned it, all the gods became eaters of oblations and offerings.

12.349.10

किंच ब्रह्मा च रुद्रश्च बलभित्प्रभुः ।
सूर्यस्ताराधिपो वायुरग्निर्वरुण एव च ॥ १२.३४९.१० ॥

Moreover, Brahmā and Rudra, and the lord Indra, slayer of Bala, the sun, the lord of the stars, the wind, fire and Varuṇa as well.

12.349.11

आकाशं जगती चैव ये च शेषा दिवौकसः ।
प्रलयं न विजानन्ति आत्मनः परिनिर्मितम् ॥ १२.३४९.११ ॥

Neither the sky, nor the earth, nor the other dwellers of heaven know the dissolution that has been fully fashioned by the self.

12.349.12

ततस्तेनास्थिता मार्गं ध्रुवमक्षरमव्ययम् ।
स्मृत्वा कालपरीमाणं प्रवृत्तिं ये समास्थिताः।
दोषः कालपरीमाणो महानेष क्रियावताम् ॥ १२.३४९.१२ ॥

Then those who have resorted to the path that he established, fixed, imperishable and unchanging, and who, remembering the measure of time, have taken up activity — this measure of time is the great fault for those who perform rites.

12.349.13

एतन्मे संशयं विप्र हृदि शल्यमिवार्पितम् ।
छिन्धीतिहासकथनात्परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥ १२.३४९.१३ ॥

O brahmin, cut away this doubt fixed in my heart like a thorn; my curiosity goes beyond the telling of the epic lore.

12.349.14

कथं भागहराः प्रोक्ता देवताः क्रतुषु द्विज ।
किमर्थं चाध्वरे ब्रह्मन्निज्यन्ते त्रिदिवौकसः ॥ १२.३४९.१४ ॥

How are the gods declared to be sharers of the portion in the sacrifices, O twice-born? And for what purpose, O brahmin, are the dwellers of heaven worshipped at the sacrifice?

12.349.15

ये च भागं प्रगृह्णन्ति यज्ञेषु द्विजसत्तम ।
ते यजन्तो महायज्ञैः कस्य भागं ददन्ति वै ॥ १२.३४९.१५ ॥

O best of the twice-born, those who receive a portion in the sacrifices, when they sacrifice with great sacrifices, whose portion do they indeed give?

12.349.16

अहो गूढतमः प्रश्नस्त्वया पृष्टो जनेश्वर ।
नातप्ततपसा ह्येष नावेदविदुषा तथा।
नापुराणविदा चैव शक्यो व्याहर्तुमञ्जसा ॥ १२.३४९.१६ ॥

Ah, O lord of men, how profound is the question you have asked! It cannot readily be spoken by one who has not practised austerity, nor by a learned man ignorant of the Veda, nor by one who knows no Purāṇa.

12.349.17

हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि यन्मे पृष्टः पुरा गुरुः ।
कृष्णद्वैपायनो व्यासो वेदव्यासो महानृषिः ॥ १२.३४९.१७ ॥

Well then, I will tell you what I once asked my teacher, Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, Veda-Vyāsa, the great sage.

12.349.18

सुमन्तुर्जैमिनिश्चैव पैलश्च सुदृढव्रतः ।
अहं चतुर्थः शिष्यो वै पञ्चमश्च शुकः स्मृतः ॥ १२.३४९.१८ ॥

Sumantu, Jaimini, and Paila, firm in vows; I was the fourth disciple, and Śuka is remembered as the fifth.

12.349.19

एतान्समागतान्सर्वान्पञ्च शिष्यान्दमान्वितान् ।
शौचाचारसमायुक्ताञ्जितक्रोधाञ्जितेन्द्रियान् ॥ १२.३४९.१९ ॥

To all these five disciples, gathered here, endowed with self-restraint, joined to pure conduct, who had conquered anger and the senses.

12.349.20

वेदानध्यापयामास महाभारतपञ्चमान् ।
मेरौ गिरिवरे रम्ये सिद्धचारणसेविते ॥ १२.३४९.२० ॥

On Meru, the finest of mountains, delightful and frequented by siddhas and cāraṇas, he taught the Vedas, with the Mahābhārata as the fifth.

12.349.21

तेषामभ्यस्यतां वेदान्कदाचित्संशयोऽभवत् ।
एष वै यस्त्वया पृष्टस्तेन तेषां प्रकीर्तितः ॥ १२.३४९.२१ ॥

While they were studying the Vedas, a doubt once arose in them. What you asked was indeed explained by them.

12.349.22

ततः श्रुतो मया चापि तवाख्येयोऽद्य भारत ॥ १२.३४९.२२ ॥

Then I too heard it, and today, O Bhārata, it is fit to be told to you.

12.349.23

शिष्याणां वचनं श्रुत्वा सर्वाज्ञानतमोनुदः ।
पराशरसुतः श्रीमान्व्यासो वाक्यमथाब्रवीत् ॥ १२.३४९.२३ ॥

Having heard the words of the disciples, Vyāsa, the glorious son of Parāśara, dispeller of all the darkness of ignorance, then spoke these words.

12.349.24

मया हि सुमहत्तप्तं तपः परमदारुणम् ।
भूतं भव्यं भविष्यं च जानीयामिति सत्तमाः ॥ १२.३४९.२४ ॥

I have performed a very great and supremely severe austerity, so that I might know what has been, what is to be, and what will come—O best of the good.

12.349.25

तस्य मे तप्ततपसो निगृहीतेन्द्रियस्य च ।
नारायणप्रसादेन क्षीरोदस्यानुकूलतः ॥ १२.३४९.२५ ॥

For me, who had performed fierce austerity and restrained my senses, by the grace of Nārāyaṇa and by the favour of the Ocean of Milk.

12.349.26

त्रैकालिकमिदं ज्ञानं प्रादुर्भूतं यथेप्सितम् ।
तच्छृणुध्वं यथान्यायं वक्ष्ये संशयमुत्तमम् ॥ १२.३४९.२६ ॥

This knowledge of the three times has arisen as desired. Hear it rightly; I shall speak of this supreme doubt.

12.349.27

यथा वृत्तं हि कल्पादौ दृष्टं मे ज्ञानचक्षुषा ।
परमात्मेति यं प्राहुः साङ्ख्ययोगविदो जनाः ॥ १२.३४९.२७ ॥

As it happened at the beginning of the cosmic age, I saw with the eye of knowledge: he whom those who know Sāṅkhya and Yoga call the Supreme Self.

12.349.28

महापुरुषसंज्ञां स लभते स्वेन कर्मणा ।
तस्मात्प्रसूतमव्यक्तं प्रधानं तं विदुर्बुधाः ॥ १२.३४९.२८ ॥

By his own action he obtains the name Mahāpuruṣa. Therefore the wise know the unmanifest that has come forth as the primal principle, Pradhāna.

12.349.29

अव्यक्ताद्व्यक्तमुत्पन्नं लोकसृष्ट्यर्थमीश्वरात् ।
अनिरुद्धो हि लोकेषु महानात्मेति कथ्यते ॥ १२.३४९.२९ ॥

For the creation of the worlds, from the Lord, the manifest arose from the unmanifest. Among the worlds Aniruddha is called the great self, Mahān Ātman.

12.349.30

योसौ व्यक्तत्वमापन्नो निर्ममे च पितामहम् ।
योऽहंकार इति प्रोक्तः सर्वतेजोमयो हि सः ॥ १२.३४९.३० ॥

He who, having attained manifestation, fashioned the grandfather Brahmā — he is declared to be Ahaṅkāra, the ego-principle, full of all radiance.

12.349.31

पृथिवी वायुराकाशमापो ज्योतिश्च पञ्चमम् ।
अहंकारप्रसूतानि महाभूतानि पञ्चधा ॥ १२.३४९.३१ ॥

Earth, wind, space, water, and light as the fifth — the great elements, born of egoism, fivefold.

12.349.32

महाभूतानि सृष्ट्वैव तान्गुणान्निर्ममे पुनः ।
भूतेभ्यश्चैव निष्पन्ना मूर्तिमन्तश्च ताञ्शृणु ॥ १२.३४९.३२ ॥

Having created the great elements, he again fashioned those qualities; and from the elements themselves arose the embodied beings — hear of them.

12.349.33

मरीचिरङ्गिराश्चात्रिः पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः ।
वसिष्ठश्च महात्मा वै मनुः स्वायंभुवस्तथा।
ज्ञेयाः प्रकृतयोऽष्टौ ता यासु लोकाः प्रतिष्ठिताः ॥ १२.३४९.३३ ॥

Marīci, Aṅgiras, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, the great-souled Vasiṣṭha, and Manu Svāyambhuva — these eight are to be known as the primal forms, in whom the worlds are established.

12.349.34

वेदान्वेदाङ्गसंयुक्तान्यज्ञयज्ञाङ्गसंयुतान् ।
निर्ममे लोकसिद्ध्यर्थं ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः ॥ १२.३४९.३४ ॥

For the accomplishment of the worlds, Brahmā, grandfather of the worlds, fashioned the Vedas together with their Vedāṅgas, and the sacrifices together with their limbs.

12.349.35

अष्टाभ्यः प्रकृतिभ्यश्च जातं विश्वमिदं जगत् ॥ १२.३४९.३५ ॥

From these eight primal forms this whole world was born.

12.349.36

रुद्रो रोषात्मको जातो दशान्यान्सोसृजस्त्वयम् ।
एकादशैते रुद्रास्तु विकाराः पुरुषाः स्मृताः ॥ १२.३४९.३६ ॥

Rudra, whose nature is wrath, was born; he himself created ten others. These eleven Rudras are remembered as beings in the form of modifications.

12.349.37

ते रुद्राः प्रकृरतिश्चैव सर्वे चैव सुरर्षयः ।
उत्पन्ना लोकसिद्ध्यर्थं ब्रह्माणं समुपस्थिताः ॥ १२.३४९.३७ ॥

The Rudras, Prakṛti, and all the divine sages, arisen for the accomplishment of the worlds, approached Brahmā.

12.349.38

वयं सृष्टा हि भगवंस्त्वया च प्रभविष्णुना ।
येन यस्मिन्नधीकारे वर्तितव्यं पितामह ॥ १२.३४९.३८ ॥

O blessed one, we were created by you, the mighty creator. O grandsire, in what office and in what manner are we to act?

12.349.39

योसौ त्वयाऽभिनिर्दिष्टो ह्यधिकारोऽर्थचिन्तकः ।
परिपाल्यः कथं तेन साहंकारेण कर्तृणा ॥ १२.३४९.३९ ॥

How is that office which you have assigned, concerned with affairs, to be protected by a doer full of self-regard?

12.349.40

प्रदिशस्व बलं तस्य योऽधिकारार्थचिन्तकः ।
एवमुक्तो महादेवो देवांस्तानिदमब्रवीत् ॥ १२.३४९.४० ॥

Grant strength to him who is concerned with the office and its affairs. Thus addressed, Mahādeva spoke these words to those gods.

12.349.41

ब्रह्मोवाच ।
साध्वहं ज्ञापितो देवा युष्माभिर्भद्रमस्तु वः।
ममाप्येषा समुत्पन्ना चिन्ता या भवतामिह ॥ १२.३४९.४१ ॥

Brahmā said: Good, O gods, you have informed me. May fortune be yours. This very anxiety that has arisen in you here has arisen in me too.

12.349.42

लोकतन्त्रस्य कृत्स्नस्य कथं कार्यः परिग्रहः ।
कथं बलक्षयो न स्याद्युष्माकं ह्यात्मनश्च वै ॥ १२.३४९.४२ ॥

How is the governance of the whole order of the worlds to be undertaken, and how is there to be no loss of strength for you and for oneself?

12.349.43

इतः सर्वेऽपि गच्छामः शरणं लोकसाक्षिणम् ।
महापुरुषमव्यक्तं स नो वक्ष्यति यद्धितम् ॥ १२.३४९.४३ ॥

Let us all go from here for refuge to the witness of the worlds; the great Person, unmanifest, will tell us what is beneficial.

12.349.44

ततस्ते ब्रह्मणा सार्धमृषयो विबुधास्तथा ।
क्षीरादस्योत्तरं कूलं जग्मूर्लोकहितार्थिनः ॥ १२.३४९.४४ ॥

Then they, together with Brahmā, the sages and the gods, desiring the welfare of the worlds, went to the northern shore of the ocean of milk.

12.349.45

ते तपः समुपातिष्ठन्ब्रह्मोक्तं वेदकल्पितम् ।
स महानियमो नाम तपश्चर्या सुदारुणा ॥ १२.३४९.४५ ॥

They undertook the austerity taught by Brahmā and prescribed by the Veda; that great observance, called the Mahāniyama, was extremely severe.

12.349.46

ऊर्ध्वदृग्बाहवश्चैव एकाग्रमनसोऽभवन् ।
एकपादस्थिताः सर्वे काष्ठभूताः समाहिताः ॥ १२.३४९.४६ ॥

With upturned gaze and raised arms, one-pointed in mind, all of them stood on one foot, motionless like wood, composed.

12.349.47

दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं ते तपस्तप्त्वा सुदारुणम् ।
शुश्रुवुर्मधुरां वाणीं वेदवेदाङ्गभूषिताम् ॥ १२.३४९.४७ ॥

Having performed the most severe austerity for a thousand divine years, they heard a sweet voice adorned with the Vedas and their limbs.

12.349.48

वागुवाच ।
भोभोः सब्रह्यका देवा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः।
स्वागतेनार्च्य वः सर्वाञ्श्रावये वाक्यमुत्तमम् ॥ १२.३४९.४८ ॥

The Voice said: O gods together with Brahmā, and sages whose wealth is austerity! Honoring you all with a welcome, I shall make you hear a supreme word.

12.349.49

विज्ञातं वो मया कार्यं तच्च लोकहितं महत् ।
प्रवृत्तियुक्तं कर्तव्यं युष्मत्प्राणोपबृंहणम् ॥ १२.३४९.४९ ॥

I have learned your task, which is of great benefit to the worlds. It should be carried out with energy, nourishing your life-breaths.

12.349.50

सुतप्तं वस्तपो देवा ममाराधनकाम्यया ।
भोक्ष्यथास्य महासत्वास्तपसः फलमुत्तमम् ॥ १२.३४९.५० ॥

O gods, you have performed austerity well, desiring to propitiate me; O mighty-souled ones, you will enjoy from it the supreme fruit of that austerity.

12.349.51

एष ब्रह्मा लोकगुरुः सर्वलोकपितामहः ।
यूयं च विबुधश्रेष्ठा मां यजध्वं समाहिताः ॥ १२.३४९.५१ ॥

This is Brahmā, teacher of the worlds, grandfather of all the worlds. And you, best of the gods, worship me with composed minds.

12.349.52

सर्वे भागान्कल्पयध्वं यज्ञेषु मम नित्यशः ।
तत्र श्रेयोऽभिधास्यामि यथाऽधीकारमीश्वराः ॥ १२.३४९.५२ ॥

Let all of you always assign your shares in my sacrifices. There, O lords, I will declare the benefit according to each one's entitlement.

12.349.53

श्रुत्वैतद्देवदेवस्य वाक्यं हृष्टतनूरुहाः ।
ततस्ते विबुधाः सर्वे ब्रह्मा ते च महर्षयः ॥ १२.३४९.५३ ॥

Hearing these words of the god of gods, with their hairs standing on end, all the gods, Brahmā and those great sages,

12.349.54

वेददृष्टेन विधिना वैष्णवं क्रतुमाहरन् ।
तस्मिन्सत्रे सदा ब्रह्मा स्वयं भागमकल्पयत् ॥ १२.३४९.५४ ॥

By the rite as prescribed in the Vedas, they performed the Vaiṣṇava sacrifice; and in that sacrificial session Brahmā himself always assigned his own share.

12.349.55

देवा देवर्षयश्चैव स्वंस्वं भागमकल्पयम् ।
ते कार्तयुगधर्माणो भागाः परमसत्कृताः ॥ १२.३४९.५५ ॥

The gods and divine sages each assigned their own share. Those shares, bearing the dharma of the Kṛta age, were held in the highest honour.

12.349.56

प्राहुरादित्यवर्णं तं पुरुषं तमसः परम् ।
बृहन्तं सर्वगं देवमीशानं वरदं प्रभुम् ॥ १२.३४९.५६ ॥

They call him the Person of the colour of the sun, beyond darkness: vast, all-pervading, the god, the lord, the giver of boons, the mighty master.

12.349.57

ततोऽथ वरदौ देवस्तान्सर्वानमरान्स्थितान् ।
अशरीरो बभापेदं वाक्यं स्वस्थो महेश्वरः ॥ १२.३४९.५७ ॥

Then the god, the giver of boons, the bodiless and composed Maheśvara, spoke these words to all the immortals standing there.

12.349.58

येन यः कल्पितो भागः स तथा मामुपागतः ।
प्रीतोऽहं प्रदिशाम्यद्य फलमावृत्तिलक्षणम्।
एतद्वो लक्षणं देवा मत्प्रसादसमुद्भवम् ॥ १२.३४९.५८ ॥

Whatever share was assigned by whomever has come to me in just that way. I am pleased, and now I grant a fruit that bears the mark of return. This, O gods, is your sign, born of my grace.

12.349.59

यूयं यज्ञैरिज्यमानाः समाप्तवरदक्षिणैः ।
युगेयुगे भविष्यध्वं प्रवृत्तिफलभागिनः ॥ १२.३४९.५९ ॥

Honoured by sacrifices in which boons and fees are fully given, you shall be sharers in the fruit of activity, age after age.

12.349.60

यज्ञैर्ये चापि यक्ष्यन्ति सर्वलोकेषु वै सुराः ।
कल्पयिष्यन्ति वो भागांस्ते नरा वेदकल्पितान् ॥ १२.३४९.६० ॥

O gods, those men who will worship with sacrifices in all the worlds will assign your shares according to what the Veda ordains.

12.349.61

यो मे यथा कल्पितवान्भागमस्मिन्महाक्रतौ ।
स तथा यज्ञभागार्हो वेदसूत्रे मया कृतः ॥ १२.३४९.६१ ॥

He to whom I have allotted a share in this great sacrifice, in such a way, is worthy of a share of the sacrifice; so has it been made by me in the Vedic rule.

12.349.62

यूयं लोकान्भावयध्वं यज्ञभागफलोचिताः ।
सर्वार्थचिन्तका लोके मयाऽधीकारनिर्मिताः ॥ १२.३४९.६२ ॥

You, worthy of the fruit of a share of the sacrifice, shall nourish the worlds; you are the thinkers of all purposes in the world, created by me with authority.

12.349.63

याः क्रियाः प्रचरिष्यन्ति प्रवृत्तिफलसत्कृताः ।
ताभिराप्यायितबला लोकान्वै धारयिष्यथ ॥ १२.३४९.६३ ॥

Those rites which will proceed, honoured with the fruit of activity, by them strengthened in power, you indeed shall sustain the worlds.

12.349.64

यूयं हि भाविता यज्ञैः सर्वयज्ञेषु मानवैः ।
मां ततो भावयिष्यध्वमेषा वो भावना मम ॥ १२.३४९.६४ ॥

You are nourished by sacrifices, by men in all sacrifices; therefore you shall nourish me — this is your nourishment and mine.

12.349.65

इत्यर्थं निर्मिता वेदा यज्ञाश्चौषधिभिः सह ।
एभिः सम्यक्प्रयुक्तैर्हि प्रीयन्ते देवताः क्षितौ ॥ १२.३४९.६५ ॥

For this very purpose the Vedas and sacrifices, together with herbs, were created; when these are properly applied, the gods are pleased on earth.

12.349.66

निर्माणमेतद्युष्माकं प्रवृत्तिगुणकल्पितम् ।
मया कृतं सुरश्रेष्ठा यावत्कल्पक्षयादिह।
चिन्तयध्वं लोकहितं यथाधीकारमीश्वराः ॥ १२.३४९.६६ ॥

This creation is yours, ordained by the qualities of activity and made by me; O best of gods, think here upon the welfare of the world until the end of the aeon, each according to his authority, O lords.

12.349.67

मरीचिरङ्गिराश्चात्रिः पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः ।
वसिष्ठ इति सप्तैते मनसा निर्मिता हि ते ॥ १२.३४९.६७ ॥

Marīci, Aṅgiras, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and Vasiṣṭha — these seven were created by the mind.

12.349.68

एते वेदविदो मुख्या वेदाचार्याश्च कल्पिताः ।
प्रवृत्तिधर्मिणश्चैव प्राजापत्ये च कल्पिताः ॥ १२.३४९.६८ ॥

These are the foremost knowers of the Vedas, appointed as teachers of the Vedas; they follow the dharma of activity and were established in the Prajāpati line.

12.349.69

अयं क्रियावतां पन्था व्यक्तीभूतः सनातनः ।
अनिरुद्ध इति प्रोक्तो लोकसर्गकरः प्रभुः ॥ १२.३४९.६९ ॥

This eternal path of those who act has been made manifest; the lord called Aniruddha is the creator of the worlds.

12.349.70

सनः सनत्सुजातश्च सनकः ससनन्दनः ।
सनत्कुमारः कपिलः सप्तमश्च सनातनः ॥ १२.३४९.७० ॥

Sana, Sanatsujāta, Sanaka with Sanandana, Sanatkumāra, Kapila, and the seventh, Sanātana.

12.349.71

सप्तैते मानसाः प्रोक्ता ऋषयो ब्रह्मणः सुताः ।
स्वयमागतविज्ञाना निवृत्तिं धर्ममास्थिताः ॥ १२.३४९.७१ ॥

These seven mind-born sages are called the sons of Brahmā; their knowledge came of itself, and they have taken up the dharma of renunciation.

12.349.72

एते योगविदो मुख्याः साङ्ख्यशास्त्रविशारदाः ।
आचार्या धर्मशास्त्रेषु मोक्षधर्मप्रवर्तकाः ॥ १२.३४९.७२ ॥

These are the foremost knowers of yoga, expert in the Sāṅkhya teaching; teachers in the treatises of dharma, and promoters of the dharma of liberation.

12.349.73

यतोऽहं प्रसृतः पूर्वमव्यक्तात्रिगुणो महान् ।
तस्मात्परतरो योसौ क्षेत्रज्ञ इति कल्पितः ॥ १२.३४९.७३ ॥

From the unmanifest, I first proceeded as the great principle made of the three guṇas; higher than that is he who is called the knower of the field (kṣetrajña).

12.349.74

सोहं क्रियावतां पन्थाः पुनरावृत्तिदुर्लभः ।
यो यथा निर्मितो जन्तुर्यस्मिन्यस्मिंश्च कर्मणि ॥ १२.३४९.७४ ॥

I am that path of those who act, from which return (to rebirth) is hard to attain; as a living being is fashioned, in whatever action it may be.

12.349.75

प्रवृत्तौ वा निवृत्तौ वा तत्फलं सोश्नुतेऽवशः ।
एष लोकगुरुर्ब्रह्मा जगदादिकरः प्रभुः ॥ १२.३४९.७५ ॥

Whether in engagement or in renunciation, he experiences its fruit helplessly. This Brahmā is the teacher of the worlds, the maker of the beginning of the universe, the lord.

12.349.76

एष माता पिता चैव युष्माकं च पितामहः ।
मयाऽनुशिष्टो भविता सर्वभूतवरप्रदः ॥ १२.३४९.७६ ॥

This one is your mother, your father, and your grandfather too. Instructed by me, he will be the bestower of boons upon all beings.

12.349.77

अस्य चैवात्मजो रुद्रो ललाटाद्यः समुत्थितः ।
ब्रह्मानुशिष्टो भविता सर्वभूतधरः प्रभुः ॥ १२.३४९.७७ ॥

And his son Rudra too, who arose from the forehead and others, instructed by Brahmā, will be the lord who sustains all beings.

12.349.78

गच्छध्वं स्वानधीकारांश्चिन्तयध्वं यथाविधि ।
प्रवर्तन्तां क्रियाः सर्वाः सर्वलोकेषु माचिरम् ॥ १२.३४९.७८ ॥

Go, and consider your respective spheres of authority according to rule; let all rites be set in motion in all worlds without delay.

12.349.79

प्रदिश्यन्तां च कर्माणि प्राणिनां गतयस्तथा ।
परिनिष्ठितकालानि आयूंषीह सुरोत्तमाः ॥ १२.३४९.७९ ॥

Let the actions and the destinies of living beings be likewise assigned; and their lifespans, fixed in their appointed times, be set here, O best of gods.

12.349.80

इदं कृतयुगं नाम कालः श्रेष्ठः प्रवर्तितः ।
अहिंस्या यज्ञपशवो युगेऽस्मिन्न तदन्यथा ॥ १२.३४९.८० ॥

This excellent age named Kṛta has been set in motion. In this age sacrificial animals are not to be harmed; it is not otherwise in this age.

12.349.81

चतुष्पात्सकलो धर्मो भविष्यत्यत्र वै सुराः ।
ततस्त्रेतायुगं नाम त्रयी यत्र भविष्यति ॥ १२.३४९.८१ ॥

Here, O gods, dharma will be complete on four feet. Then will come the age named Tretā, in which there will be the threefold Veda.

12.349.82

प्रोक्षिता यत्र पशवो वधं प्राप्स्यन्ति वै मखे ।
यत्र पादश्चतुर्थो वै धर्मस्य न भविष्यति ॥ १२.३४९.८२ ॥

Where the animals sprinkled for sacrifice will meet slaughter, and where the fourth foot of dharma will not be.

12.349.83

ततो वै द्वापरं नाम मिश्रः कालो भविष्यति ।
द्विपादहीनो धर्मश्च युगे तस्मिन्भविष्यति ॥ १२.३४९.८३ ॥

Then will come the mixed age named Dvāpara, and in that age dharma will be deprived of two feet.

12.349.84

ततस्तिष्येऽथ संप्राप्ते युगे कलिपुरस्कृते ।
एकपादस्थितो धर्मो यत्र तत्र भविष्यति ॥ १२.३४९.८४ ॥

Then, when Tiṣya (Kali) has arrived and the age with Kali in front has come, dharma will stand on one foot, wherever it may be.

12.349.85

देवा देवर्षयश्चोचुस्तमेवंवादिनं गुरुम् ।
एकपादस्थिते धर्मे यत्र क्वचन गामिनि।
कथं कर्तव्यमस्माभिर्भगवंस्तद्वदस्व नः ॥ १२.३४९.८५ ॥

The gods and divine sages said to that teacher who spoke thus: "Lord, when dharma stands on one foot and goes wherever it may, what must we do? Tell us."

12.349.86

श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
गुरवो यत्र पूज्यन्ते साधुवृत्तसमन्विताः।
वस्तव्यं तत्र युष्माभिर्यत्र धर्मो न हीयते ॥ १२.३४९.८६ ॥

The blessed Lord said: Where elders endowed with good conduct are honored, there you should dwell, where dharma is not diminished.

12.349.87

यत्र वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च तपः सत्यं दमस्तथा ।
अहिंसा धर्मसंयुक्ताः प्रचरेयुः सुरोत्तमाः।
स वो देशः सेवितव्यो मा वोऽधर्मः पदा स्पृशेत् ॥ १२.३४९.८७ ॥

Where the Vedas, sacrifices, austerity, truth, self-restraint, and non-violence joined with dharma flourish, O best of gods, that country you should serve, so that unrighteousness may not touch you with its foot.

12.349.88

तेऽनुशिष्टा भगवता देवाः सर्षिगणास्तथा ।
नमस्कृत्वा भगवते जग्मुर्देशान्यथेप्सितान् ॥ १२.३४९.८८ ॥

Instructed by the blessed Lord, the gods and the hosts of sages, having bowed to the blessed Lord, went away to the lands they desired.

12.349.89

गतेषु त्रिदिवौकस्सु ब्रह्मैकः पर्यवस्थितः ।
दिदृक्षुर्भगवन्तं तमनिरुद्धतनौ स्थितम् ॥ १२.३४९.८९ ॥

When the dwellers of heaven had gone, Brahmā alone remained, desiring to see the blessed Lord standing in the form of Aniruddha.

12.349.90

तं देवो दर्शयामास कृत्वा हयशिरो महत् ।
साङ्गानावर्तयन्वेदान्कमण्डलुत्रिदण्डधृक् ॥ १२.३४९.९० ॥

The god showed himself to him, taking a great horse's head, reciting the Vedas with their limbs, bearing a water-pot and a triple staff.

12.349.91

ततोऽश्वशिरसं दृष्ट्वा तं देवममितौजसम् ।
लोककर्ता प्रभुर्ब्रह्मा लोकानां हितकाम्यया ॥ १२.३४९.९१ ॥

Then, seeing that immeasurably mighty god with the horse's head, Brahmā, lord and creator of the worlds, out of desire for the welfare of the worlds,

12.349.92

मूर्ध्ना प्रणम्य वरदं तस्थौ प्राञ्जलिरग्रतः ।
स परिष्वज्य देवेन वचनं श्रावितस्तदा ॥ १२.३४९.९२ ॥

Bowing his head to the boon-giver, he stood before him with folded hands. Then the god embraced him and addressed him with these words.

12.349.93

भगवानुवाच ।
लोककार्यगतीः सर्वास्त्वं चिन्तय यथाविधि।
धाता त्वं सर्वभूतानां त्वं प्रभुर्जगतो गुरुः ।
त्वय्यावेशितभारोऽहं धृतिं प्राप्स्याम्यथाञ्जसा ॥ १२.३४९.९३ ॥

The Blessed Lord said: Consider all the courses of the world's affairs according to rule. You are the establisher of all beings, you are the lord and the teacher of the world. Having laid this burden upon you, I shall quickly attain composure.

12.349.94

यदा च सुरकार्यं ते अविषह्यं भविष्यति ।
प्रादुर्भावं गमिष्यामि तदात्मज्ञानदैशिकः ॥ १२.३४९.९४ ॥

And when the task of the gods becomes unbearable for you, I shall go forth to manifest myself as the teacher who instructs in knowledge of the self.

12.349.95

एवमुक्त्वा हयशिरास्तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ।
तेनानुशिष्टो ब्रह्मापि स्वं लोकमचिराद्गतः ॥ १२.३४९.९५ ॥

Having spoken thus, the horse-headed one vanished right there. Instructed by him, Brahmā too soon went to his own world.

12.349.96

एवमेष महाभागः पद्मनाभः सनातनः ।
यज्ञेष्वग्रहरः प्रोक्तो यज्ञधारी च नित्यदा ॥ १२.३४९.९६ ॥

Thus this blessed one, the lotus-navelled eternal lord, is declared to be the first to receive offerings in sacrifices, and is always the bearer of the sacrifice.

12.349.97

निवृत्तिं चास्थितो धर्मं गतिमक्षयधर्मिणाम् ।
प्रवृत्तिधर्मान्विदधे कृत्वा लोकस्य चित्रताम् ॥ १२.३४९.९७ ॥

Abiding in withdrawal, he is the path of those whose dharma is imperishable; having made the world's variety, he ordained the dharmas of active engagement.

12.349.98

स आदिः स मध्यः स चान्तः प्रजानां ।
स धाता स धेयं स कर्ता स कार्यम्।
युगान्ते प्रसुप्तः सुसंक्षिप्य लोकान् ।
युगादौ प्रबुद्धो जगद्ध्युत्ससर्ज ॥ १२.३४९.९८ ॥

He is the beginning, he is the middle, and he is the end of beings. He is the sustainer, he is the object of meditation, he is the doer, he is the deed. At the end of an age he sleeps and gathers the worlds together; at the start of an age he awakens and sends forth the world.