Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 13.217
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13.217.1
भगवन्भगनेत्रघ्न कालसूदन शङ्कर ।
इमे वर्णाश्च चत्वारो विहिताः स्वस्वभावतः।
उताहो क्रियया वर्णाः सम्भवन्ति महेश्वर ॥ १३.२१७.१ ॥
O blessed lord, slayer of Bhaga's eyes, destroyer of Death, Śaṅkara! Are these four social orders ordained according to each one's own nature, or do the social orders come into being through action, O Maheśvara?
13.217.2
एवं मे संशयप्रश्नस्तं मे छेत्तुं त्वमर्हसि ॥ १३.२१७.२ ॥
Thus is my question of doubt; you alone are worthy to resolve it.
13.217.3
स्वभावादेव विद्यन्ते चत्वारो ब्राह्मणादयः ।
एकजात्या सुदुष्प्रापमन्यवर्णत्वमागतम् ॥ १३.२१७.३ ॥
By nature alone the four social orders, beginning with the brahmins, exist; to attain another social order within a single birth is exceedingly difficult.
13.217.4
तच्च कर्मविशेषेण पुनर्जन्मनि जायते ।
तस्मात्तेषां प्रवक्ष्यामि तत्सर्वं कर्मपाकजम् ॥ १३.२१७.४ ॥
And that change arises in rebirth through special action; therefore I shall declare to you all that concerns them, which is born of the ripening of action.
13.217.5
ब्राह्मणस्तु नरो भूत्वा स्वजातिमनुपालयन् ।
दृढं ब्राह्मणकर्माणि वेदोक्तानि समाचरेत् ॥ १३.२१७.५ ॥
A man who is a brahmin should steadfastly maintain his own birth-class and perform the brahmin duties taught in the Vedas.
13.217.6
सत्यार्जवपरो भूत्वा दानयज्ञपरस्तथा ।
सत्यां जात्यां समुदितो जातिधर्मान्न हापयेत् ॥ १३.२१७.६ ॥
Devoted to truth and uprightness, and likewise devoted to giving and sacrifice, endowed with his true birth-class, he should not abandon the duties of his class.
13.217.7
एवं संवर्तमानस्तु कालधर्मं गतः पुनः ।
स्वर्गलोके हि जायेत स्वर्गभोगाय भामिनि ॥ १३.२१७.७ ॥
Thus, going on, he again meets the law of time, and in the heavenly world he is born to enjoy the pleasures of heaven, O radiant lady.
13.217.8
तत्क्षये ब्राह्मणो भूत्वा तथैव नृषु जायते ।
एवंस्वकर्मणा मर्त्यः स्वजातिं लभते पुनः ॥ १३.२१७.८ ॥
When that merit is exhausted, he is born again among men as a brahmin in the same way. Thus, by his own action, a mortal regains his own caste.
13.217.9
अपरस्तु तथा कश्चिद्ब्रह्मयोनिसमुद्भवः ।
अवमत्यैव तां जातिमज्ञानतमसा वृतः ॥ १३.२१७.९ ॥
But likewise there is another, born from a brahmin womb, who despises that caste and is enveloped in the darkness of ignorance.
13.217.10
अन्यथा वर्तमानस्तु जातिकर्माणि वर्जयेत् ।
शूद्रवद्विचरेल्लोके शूद्रकर्माभिलाषवान्।
शूद्रैः सह चरन्नित्यं शौचमङ्गलवर्जितः। ॥ १३.२१७.१० ॥
Behaving otherwise, he should abandon the duties of his caste, wander in the world like a shudra, desiring shudra acts, constantly moving with shudras, devoid of purity and auspiciousness.
13.217.11
स चापि कालधर्मस्थो यमलोके सुदण्डितः ।
यदि जायेत मर्त्येषु शूद्र एवाभिजायते ॥ १३.२१७.११ ॥
He too, having reached the law of time, is well punished in the world of Yama; and if he is born among mortals, he is born only as a shudra.
13.217.12
शूद्र एव भवेद्देवि ब्राह्मणोऽपि स्वकर्मणा ॥ १३.२१७.१२ ॥
O goddess, even a brahmin becomes a shudra through his own action.
13.217.13
तथैव शूद्रस्त्वपरः शूद्रकर्माणि वर्जयेत् ।
सत्यार्जवपरो भूत्वा दानधर्मपरस्तथा।
मन्त्रब्राह्मणसत्कर्ता मनसा ब्राह्मणप्रियः ॥ १३.२१७.१३ ॥
Likewise, another śūdra should give up the actions proper to śūdras, intent on truth and uprightness and likewise intent on the dharma of giving, honouring the mantras and the brāhmaṇa texts, and dear to the brāhmaṇas in mind.
13.217.14
एवं युक्तसमाचारः शूद्रोपि मरणं गतः ।
स्वर्गलोके हि जायेत तत्क्षये नृषु जायते।
ब्राह्मणानां कुले मुख्ये वेदस्वाध्यायसंयुते ॥ १३.२१७.१४ ॥
Thus a śūdra whose conduct is disciplined, having died, is born in the heavenly world; and when that merit is exhausted, he is born among men, in the foremost family of brāhmaṇas endowed with Vedic study.
13.217.15
एवमेव सदा लोके शूद्रो ब्राह्मण्यमाप्नुयात् ॥ १३.२१७.१५ ॥
In this same way, in the world, a śūdra may always attain the state of a brāhmaṇa.
13.217.16
एवं क्षत्रियवैश्याश्च जातिधर्मेण संयुताः ।
स्वकर्मणैव जायन्ते विशिष्टेष्वधमेषु च ॥ १३.२१७.१६ ॥
Likewise, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas, joined to the dharma of their class, are born into excellent or lowly families by their own actions.
13.217.17
एवं जातिविपर्यासः प्रेत्यभावे भवेन्नृणाम् ।
अन्यथा तु न शक्यं तल्लोकसंस्थितिकारणात् ॥ १३.२१७.१७ ॥
Thus among men, after death, such a reversal of class may occur; otherwise it would not be possible, for this is the cause of the stability of the world.
13.217.18
तस्माज्जातिं विशिष्टां तु कथंचित्प्राप्य पण्डितः ।
सर्वथा तां तथा रक्षेन्न पुनर्भ्रश्यते यथा।
इति ते कथितं देवि भूयः श्रोतुं किमिच्छसि ॥ १३.२१७.१८ ॥
Therefore a wise man, having somehow obtained an excellent birth, should guard it in every way, so that he does not fall from it again. O goddess, this has been told to you; what more do you wish to hear?
13.217.19
जन्मप्रभृति कः शुद्धो लभेज्जन्मफलं नरः ।
शोभनाशोभनं सर्वमधइकारवशात्स्वकम् ॥ १३.२१७.१९ ॥
From birth onward, what man could remain pure and obtain the fruit of his birth? Under the sway of his own lower self, he undergoes all that is good and bad.
13.217.20
कर्म कुर्वन्न लिप्येत आर्जवेन समाचरेत् ।
आत्मैव तच्छुभं कुर्यादशुभे योजयेत्परान् ॥ १३.२१७.२० ॥
Though he performs action, one should not be stained by it; one should conduct oneself with uprightness. One should do good by oneself and not engage others in evil.
13.217.21
शठेषु शठवत्कुर्योदार्यष्वार्यवदाचरेत् ।
आपत्सु नावसीदेच्च घोरान्सङ्ग्रामयेत्परात्।
साम्नैव सर्वकार्याणि कर्तुं पूर्वं समारभेत् ॥ १३.२१७.२१ ॥
Toward the deceitful one should act as the deceitful do, and toward the noble as the noble do. In calamities one should not sink; one should not drive others into fierce battle. All undertakings should be begun first by conciliation alone.
13.217.22
अनर्थाधर्मशोकानां यथा न प्राप्नुयात्स्वयम् ।
प्रीयते तत्तथा कर्तुमेतद्वृत्तं समासतः ॥ १३.२१७.२२ ॥
So that calamity, unrighteousness and sorrow may not come upon one, one should practice this conduct; in brief, this conduct is pleasing.
13.217.23
एवं वृत्तं समासाद्य गृहमाश्रित्य मानवाः ।
निराहारा निरुद्वेगाः प्राप्नुवन्त्युत्तमां गतिम् ॥ १३.२१७.२३ ॥
Having adopted such conduct and resorted to the householder's life, men, free from craving for food and free from agitation, attain the supreme goal.
13.217.24
एतज्जन्मफलं नित्यं सर्वेषां गृहवासिनाम् ।
एवं गृहस्थितैर्नित्यं वर्तितव्यमिति स्थितिः।
एतत्सर्वं मया प्रोक्तं किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥ १३.२१७.२४ ॥
This is always the fruit of birth for all who dwell in the household. Those who dwell in the house should always conduct themselves thus; this is the established rule. I have declared all this; what more do you wish to hear?
13.217.25
सुरासुरपते देव वरद प्रीतिवर्धन ।
मानुषेष्वेव ये के चिदाढ्याः क्लेशविवर्जिताः।
भुञ्जाना विविधान्भोगान्दृश्यन्ते निरुपद्रवाः ॥ १३.२१७.२५ ॥
O lord of gods and asuras, O god, giver of boons, increaser of delight! Among humans, some are seen to be rich and free from affliction, enjoying various pleasures, untroubled.
13.217.26
अपरे क्लेशसंयुक्ता दरिद्रा भोगवर्जिताः ॥ १३.२१७.२६ ॥
Others are afflicted with suffering, poor, and deprived of enjoyments.
13.217.27
किमर्थं मानुषे लोके न समत्वेन कल्पिताः ।
एतच्छ्रोतुं महादेव कौतूहलमतीव मे ॥ १३.२१७.२७ ॥
Why were people in the human world not created with equality? O great god, I am exceedingly curious to hear this.
13.217.28
न्यायतस्त्वं महाभागे श्रोतुकामासि भामिनि ।
शृणु तत्सर्वमखिलं मानुषाणां हितं वचः ॥ १३.२१७.२८ ॥
O greatly fortunate lady, rightly do you desire to hear. Listen to that entire word, beneficial to humans.
13.217.29
आदिसर्गे पुरा ब्रह्मा समत्वेनासृजत्प्रजाः ।
नित्यं न भवतो ह्यस्य रागद्वेषौ प्रजापतेः।
तदा तस्मात्सुराः सर्वे बभूवुः समतो नराः ॥ १३.२१७.२९ ॥
At the first creation, in ancient times, Brahmā created beings in equality. In the lord of creatures, attachment and aversion did not always arise; then, for that reason, all gods and men were in equality.
13.217.30
एवं संवर्तमाने तु युगे कालविपर्ययात् ।
केचित्प्रपेदिरे तत्र विषमं बुद्धिमोहिताः ॥ १३.२१७.३० ॥
As the age was thus turning, through the reversal of time, some, deluded in mind, fell into inequality there.
13.217.31
तेषां हानिं ततो दृष्ट्वा तुल्यानामेव भामिनि ।
ब्राह्मणास्ते समाजग्मुस्तत्तत्कारणवेदकाः ॥ १३.२१७.३१ ॥
O radiant lady, seeing their decline, even among equals, those brahmins who knew each cause assembled.
13.217.32
कर्तुं नार्हसि देवेश पक्षपातं त्वमीदृशम् ।
पुत्रभावे समे देव किमर्थं नो भवेत्कलिः ॥ १३.२१७.३२ ॥
Lord of gods, you should not show such partiality. O god, when the state of sons is equal, why should the kali age fall upon us?
13.217.33
एवमेतैरुपालब्धो ब्रह्मा वचनमब्रवीत् ।
यूयं मा ब्रूत मे दोषं स्वकृतं स्मरथ प्रजाः ॥ १३.२१७.३३ ॥
Thus reproached by them, Brahmā spoke these words: Do not speak of my fault, O creatures; remember your own deeds.
13.217.34
युष्माभिरेव युष्माकं ग्रथितं हि शुभाशुभम् ।
यादृशं कुरुते कर्म तादृशं फलमश्नुते।
स्वकृतस्य फलं भुङ्क्ते नान्यस्तद्बोक्तुमर्हति ॥ १३.२१७.३४ ॥
Your own good and evil are woven by you alone. As a man does such a deed, so he obtains such a fruit. He alone enjoys the fruit of his own deed; another does not deserve to enjoy it.
13.217.35
एवं संबोधितास्तेन कालकर्त्रा स्वयंभुवा ।
पुनर्विवृत्य कर्माणि शुभान्येव प्रपेदिरे ॥ १३.२१७.३५ ॥
Thus instructed by Svayaṃbhū, the author of time, they turned their deeds around again and took up only good deeds.
13.217.36
एवं विज्ञाततत्वास्ते दानधर्मपरायणाः ।
शुभानि विधिवत्कृत्वा कालधर्मगताः पुनः।
तानि दानफलान्येव भुञ्जते सुखभोगिनः ॥ १३.२१७.३६ ॥
Having thus understood the truth, they devoted themselves to the duty of giving. Having done good deeds according to rule, they went to the end of their time, and again they enjoyed only the fruits of giving, becoming enjoyers of pleasure.
13.217.37
स्वकृतं तु नरस्तस्मात्स्वयमेव प्रपद्यते ॥ १३.२१७.३७ ॥
Therefore a man himself attains the fruit of his own deed.
13.217.38
अपरे धर्मकामेभ्यो निवृत्ताश्च शुभेक्षणे ।
कदर्या निरनुक्रोशाः प्रायेणात्मपरायणाः ॥ १३.२१७.३८ ॥
O fair-eyed one, others turn away from those who desire dharma; they are miserly, without compassion, and for the most part intent only on themselves.
13.217.39
तादृशा मरणं प्राप्ताः पुनर्जन्मनि शोभने ।
दरिद्राः क्लेशभूयिष्ठा भवन्त्येव न संशयः ॥ १३.२१७.३९ ॥
Having died in such a way, O beautiful one, they become poor in their next birth and full of suffering — there is no doubt.
13.217.40
मानुषेष्वथ ये केचिद्धनधान्यसमन्विताः ।
भोगहीनाः प्रदृश्यन्ते सर्वभोगेषु सत्स्वपि।
न भुञ्जते किमर्थं ते तन्मे शंसितुमर्हसि ॥ १३.२१७.४० ॥
Among humans, some who are endowed with wealth and grain are seen to lack enjoyment, though all pleasures are present; they do not partake — for what reason is this? You ought to tell me.
13.217.41
परैः संचोदिता धर्मं कुर्वते न स्वकामतः ।
स्वयं श्रद्धां बहिष्कृत्य कुर्वन्ति च रुदन्ति च ॥ १३.२१७.४१ ॥
Urged on by others they perform dharma, not of their own will; casting faith aside themselves, they act and also weep.
13.217.42
तादृशा मरणं प्राप्ताः पुनर्जन्मनि शोभने ।
फलानि तानि सम्प्राप्य भुञ्जते न कदाचन।
रक्षन्तो वर्धयन्तश्च आसते निधिपालवत् ॥ १३.२१७.४२ ॥
Having died in such a way, O beautiful one, even when they obtain those fruits in rebirth, they never enjoy them; they remain, guarding and increasing them like keepers of a treasure.
13.217.43
केचिद्धनवियुक्ताश्च भोगयुक्ता महेश्वर ।
मानुषाः सम्प्रदृश्यन्ते तन्मे शंसितुमर्हसि ॥ १३.२१७.४३ ॥
Some humans are seen deprived of wealth yet endowed with enjoyments; O Maheśvara, you ought to tell me this.
13.217.44
आनृशंस्यपरा ये तु धर्मकामाश्चि दुर्गताः ।
परोपकारं कुर्वन्ति दीनानुग्रहकारणात् ॥ १३.२१७.४४ ॥
Those who are devoted to non-cruelty and desire dharma, though in misfortune, do good to others out of kindness to the wretched.
13.217.45
प्रतिपद्युः परधनं नष्टं वाऽन्यैर्नरैर्हृतम् ।
नित्यं ये दातुमनसो नरा वित्तेष्वसत्स्वपि ॥ १३.२१७.४५ ॥
Men who are always inclined to give obtain another's wealth, or wealth lost or seized by others, even when there is no wealth.
13.217.46
कालधर्मवशं प्राप्ताः पुनर्जन्मनि ते नराः ।
एते धनविहीनाश्च भोगयुक्ता भवन्त्युत ॥ १३.२१७.४६ ॥
Those men, brought under the power of time and dharma, come to rebirth; and these who are devoid of wealth become endowed with enjoyments.
13.217.47
धर्मदानोपदेशं वा कर्तव्यमिति निश्चयः ।
इति ते कथितं देवि किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥ १३.२१७.४७ ॥
The teaching of dharma and giving is to be done — this is the resolve. O goddess, this has been told to you; what more do you wish to hear?