Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 13.242
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13.242.1
भगवन्मानुषाः केचित्कालधर्ममुपस्थिताः ।
प्राणमोक्षं कथं कृत्वा परत्रि हितमाप्नुयुः ॥ १३.२४२.१ ॥
Blessed lord, how do some humans, when the law of time (death) has come upon them, bring about release of the breath of life and thereby attain welfare in the next world?
13.242.2
हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि शृणु देवि समाहिता ।
द्विविधं मरणं लोके स्वभावाद्यत्नतस्तथा ॥ १३.२४२.२ ॥
Well then, I shall tell you; listen, goddess, with a concentrated mind. In the world death is twofold: by nature, and by effort.
13.242.3
तयोः स्वभावं नापायं यत्नतः करणोद्भवम् ।
एतयोरुभयोर्देवि विधानं शृणु शोभने ॥ १३.२४२.३ ॥
Of these two, natural death is no fault; death arising through effort is born of action. Hear, goddess, the procedure of both of them, O radiant one.
13.242.4
कल्याकल्यशरीरस्य यत्नजं द्विविधं स्मृतम् ।
यत्नजं नाम मरणमात्मत्यागो मुमूर्षया ॥ १३.२४२.४ ॥
For a body that is fit or unfit, death brought about by effort is taught as twofold. Death called effort-born is self-sacrifice made out of the desire to die.
13.242.5
तत्राकल्यशरीरस्य जरा व्याधिश्च कारणम् ।
महाप्रस्थानगमनं तथा प्रायोपवेशनम्।
जलावगाहनं चैव अग्निचित्यां प्रवेशनम् ॥ १३.२४२.५ ॥
In this, the cause for one whose body is unfit is old age and disease. Setting out on the great departure, sitting down to fast unto death, plunging into water, and entering the funeral pyre of fire are also (means of death).
13.242.6
एवं चतुर्विधः प्रोक्त आत्मत्यागो मुमूर्षताम् ।
एतेषां क्रमयोगेन विधानं शृणु शोभने ॥ १३.२४२.६ ॥
Thus self-sacrifice of those who desire to die is declared to be fourfold. Hear the procedure of these in their due order, O radiant one.
13.242.7
स्वधर्मयुक्तं गार्हस्थ्यं चिरमूढ्वा विधानतः ।
तत्रानृण्यं च सम्प्राप्य वृद्धो वा व्याधितोऽपि वा ॥ १३.२४२.७ ॥
Having lived the householder's life, in accordance with one's own duty, for a long time and according to the rule, and having attained freedom from debts there, whether aged or diseased,
13.242.8
दर्शयित्वा स्वदौर्बल्यं सर्वानेवानुमान्य च ।
सर्वं विहाय बन्धूंश्च क्रमाणां भरणं तथा ॥ १३.२४२.८ ॥
Having shown one's own weakness and taken leave of all, having abandoned everything and one's kinsmen, and likewise having handed over the maintenance of those dependent on one in due order,
13.242.9
दानानि विधिवत्कृत्वा धर्मिकार्यर्थमात्मनः ।
अनुज्ञाप्य जनं सर्वं वाचा मधुरया ब्रुवन् ॥ १३.२४२.९ ॥
Having duly made gifts for the sake of one's religious purpose, having taken leave of all the people, speaking with sweet words,
13.242.10
अहतं वस्त्रमाच्छाद्य बद्ध्वा तत्कुशरज्जुना ।
उपस्पृश्च प्रतिज्ञाय व्यवसायपुरसरम् ॥ १३.२४२.१० ॥
Having wrapped himself in an unworn cloth, bound it with a cord of kuśa grass, sipped water, and made a vow preceded by firm resolve,
13.242.11
परित्यज्य ततो ग्राम्यं धर्मं कुर्याद्यथेप्सितम् ।
महाप्रस्तानमिच्छेच्चेत्प्रतिष्ठेतोत्तरां दिशम् ॥ १३.२४२.११ ॥
Then, having abandoned worldly duties, one should act as one wishes. If one desires the great departure, one should set out toward the northern direction.
13.242.12
भूत्वा तावन्निराहारो यावत्प्राणविमोक्षणम् ।
चेष्टाहानौ शयित्वाऽपि तन्मनाः प्राणमुत्सृजेत्।
एवं पुण्यकृतां लोकानमलान्प्रतिपद्यते ॥ १३.२४२.१२ ॥
Remaining fasting until the release of breath; when activity has ceased, even lying down, with the mind fixed on that, one should release the breath. Thus one attains the spotless worlds of those who have done meritorious deeds.
13.242.13
प्रायोपवेशनं चेच्छेत्तेनैव विधिना नरः ।
देशे पुण्यतमे श्रेष्ठे निराहारस्तु संविशेत् ॥ १३.२४२.१३ ॥
If a man desires the fast unto death, let him, by that same rule, sit fasting in the most sacred and excellent place.
13.242.14
अप्राणं तु शुचिर्भूत्वा कुर्वन्दानं स्वशक्तितः ।
पुण्यं परित्यजेत्प्राणानेष धर्मः सनातनः।
एवं कलेवरं त्यक्त्वा स्वर्गलोके महीयते ॥ १३.२४२.१४ ॥
Having become pure, and giving gifts according to his ability, let him give up his life-breaths; this is the eternal duty. Having thus abandoned the body, he is honored in the heavenly world.
13.242.15
अग्निप्रवेशनं चेच्छेत्तेनैव विधिना शुभे ।
कृत्वा काष्ठमयं चित्यं पुण्यक्षेत्रे नदीषु वा ॥ १३.२४२.१५ ॥
O auspicious one, if a man desires to enter the fire, let him, by that same rule, build a pyre of wood in a sacred field or on the banks of rivers.
13.242.16
दैवतेभ्यो नमस्कृत्वा कृत्वा चापि प्रदक्षिणम् ।
भूत्वा शुचिर्व्यवसितः प्रविशेदग्निसंस्तरम्।
सोपि लोकान्यथान्यायं प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम् ॥ १३.२४२.१६ ॥
Having bowed to the gods and circumambulated, having become pure and resolved, let him enter the fire-bed. He too rightfully obtains the worlds of those whose deeds are meritorious.
13.242.17
जलावगाहनं चेच्छेत्तेनैव विधिना शुभे ।
ख्याते पुण्यतमे तीर्थे निमज्जेत्सुकृतं स्मरन् ॥ १३.२४२.१७ ॥
O auspicious one, if a man desires to immerse himself in water, let him, by that same rule, sink down at a renowned and most sacred holy ford, remembering his good deeds.
13.242.18
सोपि पुण्यतमाँल्लोकान्निःसङ्गात्प्रतिपद्यते ।
ततः कल्यशरीरस्य संत्यागं शृणु तत्वतः ॥ १३.२४२.१८ ॥
He too, through non-attachment, attains the most meritorious worlds. Now hear, in truth, the abandoning of the body that is healthy.
13.242.19
रक्षार्थं क्षत्रियः श्रेष्ठः प्रजापालनकारणात् ।
योधानां भर्तृपिण्डार्थं गुर्वर्थं ब्रह्मचारिणाम् ॥ १३.२४२.१९ ॥
For protection the kṣatriya is the best, because of the duty of protecting the subjects; for warriors, for the sake of the offering owed to their lord, and for celibate students, for the sake of their teacher.
13.242.20
गोब्राह्मणार्थं सर्वेषां प्राणत्यागो विधीयते ।
स्वराज्यरक्षणार्तं वा कुजनैः पीडिताः प्रजाः ॥ १३.२४२.२० ॥
For the sake of cows and brahmins, the giving up of life is prescribed for all; or for the protection of one's own kingdom, or for subjects oppressed by wicked people.
13.242.21
मोक्तुकामस्त्यजेत्प्राणान्युद्धमार्गे यथाविधि ।
सुसन्नद्धो व्यवसितः सम्प्रविश्यापराङ्मुखः।
एवं राजा मृतः सद्यः स्वर्गलोके महीयते ॥ १३.२४२.२१ ॥
One who desires release should give up his life on the path of battle, as prescribed; well-armoured and resolute, entering the fight without turning his back — a king who dies thus is at once honoured in the world of heaven.
13.242.22
तादृशी सुगतिर्नास्ति क्षत्रियस्य विशेषतः ।
भृत्यो वा भर्तृपिण्डार्थं भर्तृकर्मण्युपस्थिते ॥ १३.२४२.२२ ॥
There is no such good destiny, especially for a kṣatriya; or a servant, when his lord's duty arises, for the sake of his lord's offering.
13.242.23
कुर्वंस्तत्र तु साहाय्यमात्मप्राणानपेक्षया ।
स्वाम्यर्थं संत्यजेत्प्राणान्पुण्याँल्लोकान्स गच्छति ॥ १३.२४२.२३ ॥
Giving help there, without regard for his own life, one who gives up his life for his master goes to the meritorious worlds.
13.242.24
स्पृहणीयः सुरगणैस्तत्र नास्ति विचारणा ।
एवं गोब्राह्मणार्थं वा दीनार्थं वा त्यजेत्तनुम् ॥ १३.२४२.२४ ॥
There he is desired by the hosts of gods — there is no doubt of this. Thus, for the sake of cows and brahmins, or for the sake of the wretched, one should give up the body.
13.242.25
सोपि पुण्यमवाप्नोति आनृशंस्यव्यपेक्षया ।
इत्येते जीवितत्यागे मार्गास्ते समुदाहृताः ॥ १३.२४२.२५ ॥
He too attains merit, out of regard for compassion. Thus these paths of giving up life have been declared to you.
13.242.26
कामक्रोधाद्भयाद्वाऽपि यदि चेत्संत्यजेत्तनुम् ।
सोऽनन्तं नरकं याति आत्महन्तृत्वकारणात् ॥ १३.२४२.२६ ॥
If one gives up the body out of desire, anger, or even fear, he goes to endless hell because he has become the slayer of himself.
13.242.27
स्वभावं मरणं नाम न तु चात्मेच्छया भवेत् ।
यथा मृतानां यत्कार्यं तन्मे शृणु यथाविधि ॥ १३.२४२.२७ ॥
Death should come by its own nature, not by one's own will. Now hear from me, according to rule, what is to be done for the dead.
13.242.28
तत्रापि मरणं त्यागो मूढत्यागाद्विशिष्यते ।
भूमौ संवेशयेद्देहं नरस्य विनशिष्यतः ॥ १३.२४२.२८ ॥
Even there, to accept death is superior to foolish abandonment. The body of a man about to perish should be laid down upon the ground.
13.242.29
निर्जीवं वृणुयात्सद्यो वाससा तु कलेवरम् ।
माल्यगन्धैरलङ्कृत्य सुवर्णेन च भामिनि ॥ १३.२४२.२९ ॥
O radiant lady, the lifeless body should at once be covered with a cloth, and adorned with garlands, fragrances, and gold.
13.242.30
श्मशाने दक्षिणे देशे चिताग्नौ प्रदहेन्मृतम् ।
अथवा निक्षिपेद्भूमौ शरीरं जीववर्जितम् ॥ १३.२४२.३० ॥
In the southern part of the cremation ground, the dead should be burnt in the fire of the funeral pyre; or the body, devoid of life, should be placed in the earth.
13.242.31
दिवा च शुक्लपक्षश्च उत्तरायणमेव च ।
मुमूर्षूणां प्रशस्तानि विपरीतं तु गर्हितम् ॥ १३.२४२.३१ ॥
By day, in the bright fortnight, and in the northern course of the sun: these are praised for those about to die; the opposite is condemned.
13.242.32
औदकं चाष्टकाश्राद्धं बहुभिर्बहुभिः कृतम् ।
आप्यायनं मृतानां तत्परलोके भवेच्छुभम्।
एतत्सर्वं मया प्रोक्तं मानुषाणां हितं वचः ॥ १३.२४२.३२ ॥
Water-offerings and the Aṣṭakā śrāddha, performed again and again by many people, bring satisfaction to the dead and are auspicious in the other world. All this I have declared as a teaching beneficial to human beings.