Saturday, December 31, 2011

srimahabharat - (book 6) Bhishma Parva - chapters 31 to 42
































The Sacred  Scripture of
 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

                                      Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
                                                        translated by

                                  Sreemaan Brahmasri  Kisari Mohan Ganguli



 

 

Book 6
Chapter 31




1 śrībhagavān uvāca
      ida tu te guhyatama pravakyāmy anasūyave
      jñāna vijñānasahita yaj jñātvā mokyase 'śubhāt
  2 rājavidyā rājaguhya pavitram idam uttamam
      pratyakāvagama dharmya susukha kartum avyayam
  3 aśraddadhānā puruā dharmasyāsya paratapa
      aprāpya mā nivartante mtyusasāravartmani
  4 mayā tatam ida sarva jagad avyaktamūrtinā
      matsthāni sarvabhūtāni na cāha tev avasthita
  5 na ca matsthāni bhūtāni paśya me yogam aiśvaram
      bhūtabhn na ca bhūtastho mamātmā bhūtabhāvana
  6 yathākāśasthito nitya vāyu sarvatrago mahān
      tathā sarvāi bhūtāni matsthānīty upadhāraya
  7 sarvabhūtāni kaunteya prakti yānti māmikām
      kalpakaye punas tāni kalpādau visjāmy aham
  8 prakti svām avaṣṭabhya visjāmi puna puna
      bhūtagrāmam ima ktsnam avaśa prakter vaśāt
  9 na ca mā tāni karmāi nibadhnanti dhanajaya
      udāsīnavad āsīnam asakta teu karmasu
  10 mayādhyakea prakti sūyate sacarācaram
     hetunānena kaunteya jagad viparivartate
 11 avajānanti māhā mānuī tanum āśritam
     para bhāvam ajānanto mama bhūtamaheśvaram
 12 moghāśā moghakarmāo moghajñānā vicetasa
     rākasīm āsurī caiva prakti mohinī śritā
 13 mahātmānas tu mā pārtha daivī praktim āśritā
     bhajanty ananyamanaso jñātvā bhūtādim avyayam
 14 satata kīrtayanto mā yatantaś ca dṛḍhavratā
     namasyantaś ca mā bhaktyā nityayuktā upāsate
 15 jñānayajñena cāpy anye yajanto mām upāsate
     ekatvena pthaktvena bahudhā viśvatomukham
 16 aha kratur aha yajña svadhāham aham auadham
     mantro 'ham aham evājyam aham agnir aha hutam
 17 pitāham asya jagato mātā dhātā pitāmaha
     vedya pavitram okāra k sāma yajur eva ca
 18 gatir bhartā prabhu sākī nivāsa śaraa suht
     prabhava pralaya sthāna nidhāna bījam avyayam
 19 tapāmy aham aha vara nighāmy utsjāmi ca
     amta caiva mtyuś ca sad asac cāham arjuna
 20 traividyā mā somapā pūtapāpā; yajñair iṣṭvā svargati prārthayante
     te puyam āsādya surendralokam; aśnanti divyān divi devabhogān
 21 te ta bhuktvā svargaloka viśāla; kīe puye martyaloka viśanti
     eva trayīdharmam anuprapannā; gatāgata kāmakāmā labhante
 22 ananyāś cintayanto mā ye janā paryupāsate
     teā nityābhiyuktānā yogakema vahāmy aham
 23 ye 'py anyadevatābhaktā yajante śraddhayānvitā
     te 'pi mām eva kaunteya yajanty avidhipūrvakam
 24 aha hi sarvayajñānā bhoktā ca prabhur eva ca
     na tu mām abhijānanti tattvenātaś cyavanti te
 25 yānti devavratā devān pitn yānti pitvratā
     bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyā yānti madyājino 'pi mām
 26 patra pupa phala toya yo me bhaktyā prayacchati
     tad aha bhaktyupahtam aśnāmi prayatātmana
 27 yat karoi yad aśnāsi yaj juhoi dadāsi yat
     yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kuruva madarpaam
 28 śubhāśubhaphalair eva mokyase karmabandhanai
     sanyāsayogayuktātmā vimukto mām upaiyasi
 29 samo 'ha sarvabhūteu na me dveyo 'sti na priya
     ye bhajanti tu mā bhaktyā mayi te teu cāpy aham
 30 api cet sudurācāro bhajate mām ananyabhāk
     sādhur eva sa mantavya samyag vyavasito hi sa
 31 kipra bhavati dharmātmā śaśvacchānti nigacchati
     kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhakta praaśyati
 32 hi pārtha vyapāśritya ye 'pi syu pāpayonaya
     striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās te 'pi yānti parā gatim
 33 ki punar brāhmaā puyā bhaktā rājarayas tathā
     anityam asukha lokam ima prāpya bhajasva mām
 34 manmanā bhava madbhakto madyājī mā namaskuru
     mām evaiyasi yuktvaivam ātmāna matparāyaa




SECTION XXXI
(Bhagavad Gita Chapter VII)

"The Holy One said, 'Listen, O son of Pritha, how, without doubt, thou mayst know me fully, fixing thy mind on me, practising devotion, and taking refuge in me. I will now, without leaving anything speak to thee about knowledge and experience, knowing which there would be left nothing in this world (for thee) to know. One among thousands of men striveth for perfection. Of those even that are assiduous and have attained to perfection, only some one knoweth me truly. 1 Earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, also understanding, and consciousness,--thus hath my nature been divided eight-fold. This is a lower (form of my) nature. Different from this, know there is a higher (form of my) nature which is animate, O thou of mighty arms, and by which this universe is held. 2 Know that all creatures have these for their source. I am the source of evolution and also of the dissolution of the entire universe. There is nothing else, O Dhananjaya, that is higher than myself. Upon me is all this like a row of pearls on a string. Taste I am in the waters, O soil of Kunti, (and) I am the splendour of both the moon and the sun, I am the Om in all the Vedas, the sound in space, and the manliness in men. I am the fragrant odour in earth, the splendour in fire, the life in all (living) creatures, and penance in ascetics. Know me, O son of Pritha, to be the eternal seed of all beings. I am the intelligence of all creatures endued with intelligence, the glory of all glorious objects. I am also the strength of all that are endued with strength, (myself) freed from desire and thirst, and, O bull of Bharata's race, am the desire, consistent with duty, in all creatures. 3 And all existences which are of the quality of goodness, and which are of the quality of passion and quality of darkness, know that they are, indeed, from me. I am, however, not in
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them, but they are in me. This entire universe, deluded by these three entities consisting of (these) three qualities knoweth not me that am beyond them and undecaying; since this illusion of mine, depending on the (three) qualities, is exceedingly marvellous and highly difficult of being transcended. They that resort to me alone cross this illusion. 1 Doers of evil, ignorant men, the worst of their species, robbed of their knowledge by (my) illusion and wedded to the state of demons, do not resort to me. Four classes of doers of good deeds worship me, O Arjuna, viz., he that is distressed, that is possessed of knowledge, being always devoted and having his faith in only One, is superior to the rest, for unto the man of knowledge I am dear above everything, and he also is dear to me. All these are noble. But the man of knowledge is regarded (by me) to be my very self, since he, with soul fixed on abstraction, taketh refuge in me as the highest goal. At the end of many births, the man possessed of knowledge attaineth to me, (thinking) that Vasudeva is all this. Such a high-souled person, however, is exceedingly rare. They who have been robbed of knowledge by desire, resort to their godheads, observant of diverse regulations and controlled by their own nature. 2 Whatever form, (of godhead or myself) any worshipper desireth to worship with faith, that faith of his unto that (form) I render steady. Endued with that faith, he payeth his adorations to that (form), and obtaineth from that all his desire, since all those are ordained by me. 3 The fruits, however, of those persons endued with little intelligence are perishable. They that worship the divinities, go to the divinities, (while) they that worship me come even to me. 4 They that have no discernment, regard me who am (really) unmanifest to have become manifest, because they do not know the transcendent and undecaying state of mine than which there is nothing higher. 5 Shrouded by the illusion of my inconceivable power, I am not manifest to all. This deluded world knoweth not me that I am unborn and undecaying. I know, O Arjuna, all things that have been past, and all things that are present, and all things that are to be. But there is nobody that knoweth me. All creatures, O chastiser of foes, are deluded at the time of their birth by the delusion, O Bharata, of pairs of opposites arising from desire and aversion. But those persons of meritorious deeds whose sins have attained their end, being freed from the delusion of pairs of opposites, worship me, firm in their vow (of that worship). Those who,
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taking refuge in me, strive for release from decay and death, know Brahman, the entire Adhyatma, and action. 1 And they who know me with the Adhibhuta, the Adhidaiva, and the Adhiyajna, having minds fixed on abstraction, know me at the time of their departure (from this world). 2



Book 6
Chapter 32








1 śrībhagavān uvāca
      bhūya eva mahābāho śṛṇu me parama vaca
      yat te 'ha prīyamāāya vakyāmi hitakāmyayā
  2 na me vidu suragaā prabhava na maharaya
      aham ādir hi devānā maharīā ca sarvaśa
  3 yo mām ajam anādi ca vetti lokamaheśvaram
      asaha sa martyeu sarvapāpai pramucyate
  4 buddhir jñānam asamoha kamā satya dama śama
      sukha dukha bhavo 'bhāvo bhaya cābhayam eva ca
  5 ahisā samatā tuṣṭis tapo dāna yaśo 'yaśa
      bhavanti bhāvā bhūtānā matta eva pthagvidhā
  6 maharaya sapta pūrve catvāro manavas tathā
      madbhāvā mānasā jātā yeā loka imā prajā
  7 etā vibhūti yoga ca mama yo vetti tattvata
      so 'vikampena yogena yujyate nātra saśaya
  8 aha sarvasya prabhavo matta sarva pravartate
      iti matvā bhajante mā budhā bhāvasamanvitā
  9 maccittā madgataprāā bodhayanta parasparam
      kathayantaś ca mā nitya tuyanti ca ramanti ca
  10 teā satatayuktānā bhajatā prītipūrvakam
     dadāmi buddhiyoga ta yena mām upayānti te
 11 teām evānukampārtham aham ajñānaja tama
     nāśayāmy ātmabhāvastho jñānadīpena bhāsvatā
 12 arjuna uvāca
     para brahma para dhāma pavitra parama bhavān
     purua śāśvata divyam ādidevam aja vibhum
 13 āhus tvām ṛṣaya sarve devarir nāradas tathā
     asito devalo vyāsa svaya caiva bravīi me
 14 sarvam etad ta manye yan mā vadasi keśava
     na hi te bhagavan vyakti vidur devā na dānavā
 15 svayam evātmanātmāna vettha tva puruottama
     bhūtabhāvana bhūteśa devadeva jagatpate
 16 vaktum arhasy aśeea divyā hy ātmavibhūtaya
     yābhir vibhūtibhir lokān imās tva vyāpya tiṣṭhasi
 17 katha vidyām aha yogis tvā sadā paricintayan
     keu keu ca bhāveu cintyo 'si bhagavan mayā
 18 vistareātmano yoga vibhūti ca janārdana
     bhūya kathaya tptir hi śṛṇvato nāsti me 'mtam
 19 śrībhagavān uvāca
     hanta te kathayiyāmi divyā hy ātmavibhūtaya
     prādhānyata kuruśreṣṭha nāsty anto vistarasya me
 20 aham ātmā guākeśa sarvabhūtāśayasthita
     aham ādiś ca madhya ca bhūtānām anta eva ca
 21 ādityānām aha viṣṇur jyotiā ravir aśumān
     marīcir marutām asmi nakatrāām aha śaśī
 22 vedānā sāmavedo 'smi devānām asmi vāsava
     indriyāā manaś cāsmi bhūtānām asmi cetanā
 23 rudrāā śakaraś cāsmi vitteśo yakarakasām
     vasūnā pāvakaś cāsmi meru śikhariām aham
 24 purodhasā ca mukhya viddhi pārtha bhaspatim
     senānīnām aha skanda sarasām asmi sāgara
 25 maharīā bhgur aha girām asmy ekam akaram
     yajñānā japayajño 'smi sthāvarāā himālaya
 26 aśvattha sarvavkāā devarīā ca nārada
     gandharvāā citraratha siddhānā kapilo muni
 27 uccaiśravasam aśvānā viddhi mām amtodbhavam
     airāvata gajendrāā narāā ca narādhipam
 28 āyudhānām aha vajra dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk
     prajanaś cāsmi kandarpa sarpāām asmi vāsuki
 29 anantaś cāsmi nāgānā varuo yādasām aham
     pitṝṇām aryamā cāsmi yama sayamatām aham
 30 prahlādaś cāsmi daityānā kāla kalayatām aham
     mā ca mgendro 'ha vainateyaś ca pakiām
 31 pavana pavatām asmi rāma śastrabhtām aham
     jhaāā makaraś cāsmi srotasām asmi jāhnavī
 32 sargāām ādir antaś ca madhya caivāham arjuna
     adhyātmavidyā vidyānā vāda pravadatām aham
 33 akarāām akāro 'smi dvandva sāmāsikasya ca
     aham evākaya kālo dhātāha viśvatomukha
 34 mtyu sarvaharaś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviyatām
     kīrti śrīr vāk ca nārīā smtir medhā dhti kamā
 35 bhatsāma tathā sāmnā gāyatrī chandasām aham
     māsānā mārgaśīro 'ham tūnā kusumākara
 36 dyūta chalayatām asmi tejas tejasvinām aham
     jayo 'smi vyavasāyo 'smi sattva sattvavatām aham
 37 vṛṣṇīnā vāsudevo 'smi pāṇḍavānā dhanajaya
     munīnām apy aha vyāsa kavīnām uśanā kavi
 38 daṇḍo damayatām asmi nītir asmi jigīatām
     mauna caivāsmi guhyānā jñāna jñānavatām aham
 39 yac cāpi sarvabhūtānā bīja tad aham arjuna
     na tad asti vinā yat syān mayā bhūta carācaram
 40 nānto 'sti mama divyānā vibhūtīnā paratapa
     ea tūddeśata prokto vibhūter vistaro mayā
 41 yad yad vibhūtimat sattva śrīmad ūrjitam eva vā
     tat tad evāvagaccha tva mama tejo 'śasabhavam
 42 atha vā bahunaitena ki jñātena tavārjuna
     viṣṭabhyāham ida ktsnam ekāśena sthito jagat




SECTION XXXII
(Bhagavad Gita Chapter VIII)

"Arjuna said, 'What is that Brahman, what is Adhyatma, what is action, O best of male beings? What also has been said to be Adhibhuta, and what is called Adhidaiva? Who is here Adhiyajna, and how, in this body, O slayer of Madhu? And how at the time of departure art thou to be known by those that have restrained their self'?--
"The Holy One said, 'Brahman is the Supreme and indestructible. Adhyatma is said to be its own manifestation. The offering (to any godhead in a sacrifice) which causeth the production and development of all--this is called action. 3 Remembering me alone in (his) last moments, he that, casting off his body, departeth (hence), cometh into my essence. There is no doubt in this. Whichever form (of godhead) one remembereth when one casteth off, at the end, (his) body, unto that one he goeth, O son of Kunti, having habitually meditated on it always. Therefore, think of me at all times, and engage in battle. Fixing thy mind and understanding on me, thou wilt, without doubt, come even to me. Thinking (of the Supreme) with a mind not running to other objects and endued with abstraction in the form of uninterrupted application, one goeth, O son of Pritha, unto the Divine and Supreme male Being. He who at the time of his departure, with a steady mind, endued with reverence, with power of abstraction, and directing the life-breath called Prana between the eye-brows, thinketh of that ancient seer, who is the ruler (of all), who is minuter than the minutest atom, who is the ordainer of all, who is inconceivable in form, and who is beyond all darkness, cometh unto that Divine and Supreme Male Being, I will tell thee in brief about that seat which persons conversant with the Vedas declare to be indestructible, which is entered by ascetics freed from all longings, and in expectation of which (people) practise the vows of Brahmacharins. Casting off (this) body, he who departeth, stopping up all the doors, confining the mind within the heart, placing his own life-breath called Prana between the eye-brows, resting on continued meditation,
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uttering this one syllable Om which is Brahman, and thinking of me, attaineth to the highest goal. 1 He who always thinketh of me with mind ever withdrawn from all other objects, unto that devotee always engaged on meditation, I am, O Partha, easy of access. High-souled persons who have achieved the highest perfection, attaining to me, do not incur re-birth which is the abode of sorrow and which is transient, All the worlds, O Arjuna, from the abode of Brahman downwards have to go through a round of births, on attaining to me, however, O son of Kunti, there is no re-birth. 2 They who know a day of Brahman to end after a thousand Yugas, and a night (of his) to terminate after a thousand Yugas are persons that know day and night. 3 On the advent of (Brahman's) day everything that is manifest springeth from the unmanifest; and when (his) night cometh, into that same which is called unmanifest all things disappear. That same assemblage of creatures, springing forth again and again, dissolveth on the advent of night, and springeth forth (again), O son of Pritha, when day cometh, constrained (by the force of action, etc.) 4. There is, however, another entity, unmanifest and eternal, which is beyond that unmanifest, and which is not destroyed when all the entities are destroyed. It is said to be unmanifest and indestructible. They call it the highest goal, attaining which no one hath to come back. That is my Supreme seat. That Supreme Being, O son of Pritha, He within whom are all entities, and by whom all this is permeated, is to be attained by reverence undirected to any other object. I will tell thee the times, O bull of Bharata's race, in which devotees departing (from this life) go, never to return, or to return. The fire, the Light, the day, the lighted fortnight, the six months of the northern solstice, departing from here, the persons knowing Brahma go through this path to Brahma5 Smoke, night, also the dark-fortnight (and) the six months of the southern solstice, (departing) through this path, devotee, attaining to the lunar light, returneth. The bright and the dark, these two paths, are regarded to be the eternal (two paths) of the universe. By the one, (one) goeth never to return; by the other, one (going) cometh back. Knowing these two paths, O son of Pritha, no devotee is deluded. Therefore, at all times, be endued with devotion, O Arjuna. The meritorious fruit that is prescribed for the (study of the) Vedas, for sacrifices, for ascetic austerities and for gifts, a devotee knowing all this (that hath been said here),
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attaineth to it all, and (also) attaineth the Supreme and Primeval seat.'





Book 6
Chapter 33






1 arjuna uvāca
      madanugrahāya parama guhyam adhyātmasajñitam
      yat tvayokta vacas tena moho 'ya vigato mama
  2 bhavāpyayau hi bhūtānā śrutau vistaraśo mayā
      tvatta kamalapatrāka māhātmyam api cāvyayam
  3 evam etad yathāttha tvam ātmāna parameśvara
      draṣṭum icchāmi te rūpam aiśvara puruottama
  4 manyase yadi tac chakya mayā draṣṭum iti prabho
      yogeśvara tato me tva darśayātmānam avyayam
  5 śrībhagavān uvāca
      paśya me pārtha rūpāi śataśo 'tha sahasraśa
      nānāvidhāni divyāni nānāvarāktīni ca
  6 paśyādityān vasūn rudrān aśvinau marutas tathā
      bahūny adṛṣṭapūrvāi paśyāścaryāi bhārata
  7 ihaikastha jagat ktsna paśyādya sacarācaram
      mama dehe guākeśa yac cānyad draṣṭum icchasi
  8 na tu mā śakyase draṣṭum anenaiva svacakuā
      divya dadāmi te caku paśya me yogam aiśvaram
  9 sajaya uvāca
      evam uktvā tato rājan mahāyogeśvaro hari
      darśayām āsa pārthāya parama rūpam aiśvaram
  10 anekavaktranayanam anekādbhutadarśanam
     anekadivyābharaa divyānekodyatāyudham
 11 divyamālyāmbaradhara divyagandhānulepanam
     sarvāścaryamaya devam ananta viśvatomukham
 12 divi sūryasahasrasya bhaved yugapad utthitā
     yadi bhā sadśī sā syād bhāsas tasya mahātmana
 13 tatraikastha jagat ktsna pravibhaktam anekadhā
     apaśyad devadevasya śarīre pāṇḍavas tadā
 14 tata sa vismayāviṣṭo hṛṣṭaromā dhanajaya
     praamya śirasā deva ktāñjalir abhāata
 15 arjuna uvāca
     paśyāmi devās tava deva dehe; sarvās tathā bhūtaviśeasaghān
     brahmāam īśa kamalāsanastham; ṛṣīś ca sarvān uragāś ca divyān
 16 anekabāhūdaravaktranetra; paśyāmi tvā sarvato 'nantarūpam
     nānta na madhya na punas tavādi; paśyāmi viśveśvara viśvarūpa
 17 kirīina gadina cakria ca; tejorāśi sarvato dīptimantam
     paśyāmi tvā durnirīkya samantād; dīptānalārkadyutim aprameyam
 18 tvam akara parama veditavya; tvam asya viśvasya para nidhānam
     tvam avyaya śāśvatadharmagoptā; sanātanas tva puruo mato me
 19 anādimadhyāntam anantavīryam; anantabāhu śaśisūryanetram
     paśyāmi tvā dīptahutāśavaktra; svatejasā viśvam ida tapantam
 20 dyāvāpthivyor idam antara hi; vyāpta tvayaikena diśaś ca sarvā
     dṛṣṭvādbhuta rūpam ida tavogra; lokatraya pravyathita mahātman
 21 amī hi tvā surasaghā viśanti; ke cid bhītā prāñjalayo gṛṇanti
     svastīty uktvā maharisiddhasaghā; stuvanti tvā stutibhi pukalābhi
 22 rudrādityā vasavo ye ca sādhyā; viśve 'śvinau marutaś comapāś ca
     gandharvayakāsurasiddhasaghā; vīkante tvā vismitāś caiva sarve
 23 rūpa mahat te bahuvaktranetra; mahābāho bahubāhūrupādam
     bahūdara bahudaṃṣṭrākarāla; dṛṣṭvā lokā pravyathitās tathāham
 24 nabhaspśa dīptam anekavara; vyāttānana dīptaviśālanetram
     dṛṣṭvā hi tvā pravyathitāntarātmā; dhti na vindāmi śama ca viṣṇo
 25 daṃṣṭrākarālāni ca te mukhāni; dṛṣṭvaiva kālānalasanibhāni
     diśo na jāne na labhe ca śarma; prasīda deveśa jagannivāsa
 26 amī ca tvā dhtarāṣṭrasya putrā; sarve sahaivāvanipālasaghai
     bhīmo droa sūtaputras tathāsau; sahāsmadīyair api yodhamukhyai
 27 vaktrāi te tvaramāā viśanti; daṃṣṭrākarālāni bhayānakāni
     ke cid vilagnā daśanāntareu; sadśyante cūritair uttamāgai
 28 yathā nadīnā bahavo 'mbuvegā; samudram evābhimukhā dravanti
     tathā tavāmī naralokavīrā; viśanti vaktrāy abhivijvalanti
 29 yathā pradīpta jvalana patagā; viśanti nāśāya samddhavegā
     tathaiva nāśāya viśanti lokās; tavāpi vaktrāi samddhavegā
 30 lelihyase grasamāna samantāl; lokān samagrān vadanair jvaladbhi
     tejobhir āpūrya jagat samagra; bhāsas tavogrā pratapanti viṣṇo
 31 ākhyāhi me ko bhavān ugrarūpo; namo 'stu te devavara prasīda
     vijñātum icchāmi bhavantam ādya; na hi prajānāmi tava pravttim
 32 śrībhagavān uvāca
     kālo 'smi lokakayakt pravddho; lokān samāhartum iha pravtta
     te 'pi tvā na bhaviyanti sarve; ye 'vasthitā pratyanīkeu yodhā
 33 tasmāt tvam uttiṣṭha yaśo labhasva; jitvā śatrūn bhukva rājya samddham
     mayaivaite nihatā pūrvam eva; nimittamātra bhava savyasācin
 34 droa ca bhīma ca jayadratha ca; kara tathānyān api yodhavīrān
     mayā hatās tva jahi mā vyathiṣṭhā; yudhyasva jetāsi rae sapatnān
 35 sajaya uvāca
     etac chrutvā vacana keśavasya; ktāñjalir vepamāna kirīī
     namasktvā bhūya evāha kṛṣṇa; sagadgada bhītabhīta praamya
 36 arjuna uvāca
     sthāne hṛṣīkeśa tava prakīrtyā; jagat prahṛṣyaty anurajyate ca
     rakāsi bhītāni diśo dravanti; sarve namasyanti ca siddhasaghā
 37 kasmāc ca te na nameran mahātman; garīyase brahmao 'py ādikartre
     ananta deveśa jagannivāsa; tvam akara sad asat tatpara yat
 38 tvam ādideva purua purāas; tvam asya viśvasya para nidhānam
     vettāsi vedya ca para ca dhāma; tvayā tata viśvam anantarūpa
 39 vāyur yamo 'gnir varua śaśāka; prajāpatis tva prapitāmahaś ca
     namo namas te 'stu sahasraktva; punaś ca bhūyo 'pi namo namas te
 40 nama purastād atha pṛṣṭhatas te; namo 'stu te sarvata eva sarva
     anantavīryāmitavikramas tva; sarva samāpnoi tato 'si sarva
 41 sakheti matvā prasabha yad ukta; he kṛṣṇa he yādava he sakheti
     ajānatā mahimāna taveda; mayā pramādāt praayena vāpi
 42 yac cāvahāsārtham asatkto 'si; vihāraśayyāsanabhojaneu
     eko 'tha vāpy acyuta tatsamaka; tat kāmaye tvām aham aprameyam
 43 pitāsi lokasya carācarasya; tvam asya pūjyaś ca gurur garīyān
     na tvatsamo 'sty abhyadhika kuto 'nyo; lokatraye 'py apratimaprabhāva
 44 tasmāt praamya praidhāya kāya; prasādaye tvām aham īśam īyam
     piteva putrasya sakheva sakhyu; priya priyāyārhasi deva sohum
 45 adṛṣṭapūrva hṛṣito 'smi dṛṣṭvā; bhayena ca pravyathita mano me
     tad eva me darśaya deva rūpa; prasīda deveśa jagannivāsa
 46 kirīina gadina cakrahastam; icchāmi tvā draṣṭum aha tathaiva
     tenaiva rūpea caturbhujena; sahasrabāho bhava viśvamūrte
 47 śrībhagavān uvāca
     mayā prasannena tavārjuneda; rūpa para darśitam ātmayogāt
     tejomaya viśvam anantam; ādya yan me tvadanyena na dṛṣṭapūrvam
 48 na veda yajñādhyayanair na dānair; na ca kriyābhir na tapobhir ugrai
     evarūpa śakya aha nloke; draṣṭu tvadanyena kurupravīra
 49 mā te vyathā mā ca vimūhabhāvo; dṛṣṭvā rūpa ghoram īdṛṅ mamedam
     vyapetabhī prītamanā punas tva; tad eva me rūpam ida prapaśya
 50 sajaya uvāca
     ity arjuna vāsudevas tathoktvā; svaka rūpa darśayām āsa bhūya
     āśvāsayām āsa ca bhītam ena; bhūtvā puna saumyavapur mahātmā
 51 arjuna uvāca
     dṛṣṭveda mānua rūpa tava saumya janārdana
     idānīm asmi savtta sacetā prakti gata
 52 śrībhagavān uvāca
     sudurdarśam ida rūpa dṛṣṭavān asi yan mama
     devā apy asya rūpasya nitya darśanakākia
 53 nāha vedair na tapasā na dānena na cejyayā
     śakya evavidho draṣṭu dṛṣṭavān asi mā yathā
 54 bhaktyā tv ananyayā śakya aham evavidho 'rjuna
     jñātu draṣṭu ca tattvena praveṣṭu ca paratapa
 55 matkarmakn matparamo madbhakta sagavarjita
     nirvaira sarvabhūteu ya sa mām eti pāṇḍava





SECTION XXXIII
(Bhagavad Gita Chapter IX)

"The Holy One said, 'Now I will tell thee that art without envy that most mysterious knowledge along with experience, knowing which thou wilt be freed from evil. This is royal science, a royal mystery, highly cleansing, directly apprehensible, consistent with the sacred laws, easy to practise, (and) imperishable. Those persons, O chastiser of foes, who have no faith in this sacred doctrine, not attaining to me, return to the path of this world that is subject to destruction. This entire universe is pervaded by me in my unmanifest form. All entities are in me, but I do not reside in them. Nor yet are all entities in me. Behold my divine power. Supporting all entities and producing all entities, myself doth not (yet) reside in (those) entities. As the great and obiquitious atmosphere always occupieth space, understand that all entities reside in me in the same way. 1 All entities, O son of Kunti, attain to my nature at the close of a Kalpa. I create them again at the beginning of a Kalpa2 Regulating my own (independent) nature I create again and in this whole assemblage of entities which is plastic in consequence of its subjection to nature. 3 Those acts, however, O Dhananjaya, do not fetter me who sitteth as one unconcerned, being unattached to those acts (of creation). Through me, the overlooker, primal nature produceth the (universe of) mobiles and immobiles. For the reason, O son of Kunti, the universe passeth through its rounds (of birth and destruction). 4 Not knowing my supreme nature of the great lord of all entities, ignorant people of vain hopes, vain acts, vain knowledge, confounded minds, wedded to the delusive nature of Asuras and Rakshasas, disregard me (as one) that hath assumed a human body. But high-souled ones, O son of Pritha, possessed of divine nature, and with minds directed to nothing else, worship me, knowing (me) to be the origin of all entities and undestructible. Always glorifying me, (or) striving with firm vows, (or) bowing down to me, with reverence and ever devoted, (they) worship me. 5 Others again, performing the sacrifice of knowledge,
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worship me, (some) as one, (some) as distinct, (some) as pervading the universe, in many forms. 1 I am the Vedic sacrifice, I am the sacrifice enjoined in the Smritis, I am Swadha, I am the medicament produced from herbs; I am the mantra, I am the sacrificial libation, I am the fire, and I am the (sacrificial) offering. 2 I am the father of this universe, the mother, the creator, grandsire; (I am) the thing to be known, the means by which everything is cleaned, the syllable Om, the Rik, the Saman and the Yajus, (I am) the goal, the supporter, the lord, the on-looker, the abode, the refuge, the friend, the source, the destruction, the support, the receptacle; and the undestructible seed. I give heat, I produce and suspend rain; I am immortality, and also death; and I am the existent and the non-existent, O Arjuna. They who know the three branches of knowledge, also drink the Soma juice, and whose sins have been cleansed worshipping me by sacrifices, seek admission into heaven; and these attaining to the sacred region of the chief of the gods, enjoy in heaven the celestial pleasure of the gods. Having enjoyed that celestial world of vast extent, upon exhaustion of their merit they re-enter the mortal world. It is thus that they who accept the doctrines of the three Vedas and wish for objects of desires, obtain going and coming. Those persons who, thinking (of me) without directing their minds to anything else, worship me, of those who are (thus) always devoted (to me)--I make them gifts and preserve what they have. Even those devotees who, endued with faith worship other godheads even they, O son of Kunti, worship me alone, (though) irregularly. 3 I am the enjoyer, as also the lord, of all sacrifices. They, however, do not know me truly; hence they fall off (from heaven). They whose vows are directed to the Pitris attain to the Pitris; who direct (their) worship to the inferior spirits called Bhutas attain to Bhutas; they who worship me, attain even to myself. They who offer me with reverence, leaf, flower, fruit, water--that offered with reverence, I accept from him whose self is pure. 4 Whatever thou dost, whatever eatest, whatever drinkest, whatever givest, whatever austerities thou performest, manage it in such a way, O son of Kunti, that it may be an offering to me. Thus mayst thou be freed from the fetters of action having good and evil fruits. With self endued with renunciation and devotion, thou wilt be released and will come to me. I am alike to all creatures; there is none hateful to me, none dear. They, however, who worship me with reverence are in me and I also am in them. If even a person of exceedingly wicked conduct worshippeth me, without worshipping any one else, he should certainly be regard as good, for his efforts are well-directed. (Such a person) soon becometh of virtuous soul, and attaineth to eternal tranquillity. Know, O son of Kunti, that none devoted to me
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is ever lost. For, O son of Pritha, even they who may be of sinful birth, women, Vaisyas, and also Sudras, even they, resorting to me, attain to the supreme goal. What then (shall I say) of holy Brahmanas and saints who are my devotees? Having come to this transient and miserable world, be engaged in my worship. 1 Fix thy mind on me; be my devotee, my worshipper; bow to me; and thus making me thy refuge and applying thy self to abstraction, thou wilt certainly come to me.'





Book 6
Chapter 34




 1 arjuna uvāca
      eva satatayuktā ye bhaktās tvā paryupāsate
      ye cāpy akaram avyakta teā ke yogavittamā
  2 śrībhagavān uvāca
      mayy āveśya mano ye mā nityayuktā upāsate
      śraddhayā parayopetās te me yuktatamā matā
  3 ye tv akaram anirdeśyam avyakta paryupāsate
      sarvatragam acintya ca kūastham acala dhruvam
  4 saniyamyendriyagrāma sarvatra samabuddhaya
      te prāpnuvanti mām eva sarvabhūtahite ratā
  5 kleśo 'dhikataras teām avyaktāsaktacetasām
      avyaktā hi gatir dukha dehavadbhir avāpyate
  6 ye tu sarvāi karmāi mayi sanyasya matparā
      ananyenaiva yogena mā dhyāyanta upāsate
  7 teām aha samuddhartā mtyusasārasāgarāt
      bhavāmi nacirāt pārtha mayy āveśitacetasām
  8 mayy eva mana ādhatsva mayi buddhi niveśaya
      nivasiyasi mayy eva ata ūrdhva na saśaya
  9 atha citta samādhātu na śaknoi mayi sthiram
      abhyāsayogena tato mām icchāptu dhanajaya
  10 abhyāse 'py asamartho 'si matkarmaparamo bhava
     madartham api karmāi kurvan siddhim avāpsyasi
 11 athaitad apy aśakto 'si kartu madyogam āśrita
     sarvakarmaphalatyāga tata kuru yatātmavān
 12 śreyo hi jñānam abhyāsāj jñānād dhyāna viśiyate
     dhyānāt karmaphalatyāgas tyāgāc chāntir anantaram
 13 adveṣṭā sarvabhūtānā maitra karua eva ca
     nirmamo nirahakāra samadukhasukha kamī
 14 satuṣṭa satata yogī yatātmā dṛḍhaniścaya
     mayy arpitamanobuddhir yo madbhakta sa me priya
 15 yasmān nodvijate loko lokān nodvijate ca ya
     harāmarabhayodvegair mukto ya sa ca me priya
 16 anapeka śucir daka udāsīno gatavyatha
     sarvārambhaparityāgī yo madbhakta sa me priya
 17 yo na hṛṣyati na dveṣṭi na śocati na kākati
     śubhāśubhaparityāgī bhaktimān ya sa me priya
 18 sama śatrau ca mitre ca tathā mānāpamānayo
     śītoṣṇasukhadukheu sama sagavivarjita
 19 tulyanindāstutir maunī satuṣṭo yena kena cit
     aniketa sthiramatir bhaktimān me priyo nara
 20 ye tu dharmyāmtam ida yathokta paryupāsate
     śraddadhānā matparamā bhaktās te 'tīva me priyā


SECTION XXXIV
(Bhagavad Gita Chapter X)

"The Holy One said, 'Once more still, O mighty-armed one, listen to my supernal words which, from desire of (thy) good, I say unto thee that wouldst be pleased (therewith). 2 The hosts of gods know not my origin, nor the great Rishis, since I am, in every way, the source of the gods and the great Rishis3 He that knoweth me as the Supreme Lord of the worlds, without birth and beginning, (he), undeluded among mortals, is free from all sins. Intelligence, knowledge, the absence of delusion, forgiveness, truth, self-restraint, and tranquillity, pleasure, pain, birth, death, fear, and also security, abstention from harm, evenness of mind, contentment, ascetic austerities, gift, fame, infamy, these several attributes of creatures arise from me. The Seven great Rishis, the four Maharishis before (them), and the Manus, partaking of my nature, were born from my mind, of whom in this world are these offsprings. 4 He that knoweth truly this pre-eminence and mystic power of mine, becometh possessed of unswerving devotion. Of this (there is) no doubt. I am the origin of all things, from me all things proceed. Thinking thus, the wise, endued with my nature, worship me. 5 Their hearts on me, their lives devoted to me, instructing one another, and gloryfying me they are ever contented and happy. 6 Unto them always devoted, and worshipping (me) with love, I give that devotion
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in the form of knowledge by which they come to me. 1 Of them, for compassion's sake. I destroy the darkness born of ignorance, by the brilliant lamp of knowledge, (myself) dwelling in their souls.'
"Arjuna said, 'Thou art the Supreme Brahma, the Supreme Abode, the Holiest of the Holy, the eternal Male Being Divine, the First of gods Unborn, the Lord. All the Rishis proclaim thee thus, and also the celestial Rishi Narada; and Asita, Devala, (and) Vyasa; thyself also tellest me (so). All this that thou tellest me, O Kesava, I regard as true since, O Holy One, neither the gods nor the Danavas understand thy manifestation. Thou only knowest thyself by thyself. O Best of Male Beings. O Creator of all things; O Lord of all things, O God of gods, O Lord of the Universe, it behoveth thee to declare without any reservation, those divine perfections of thine by which perfections pervading these worlds thou abidest. How shall I, ever meditating, know thee, O thou of mystic powers, in what particular states mayst thou, O Holy One, be meditated upon by me? 2 Do thou again, O Janardana, copiously declare thy mystic powers and (thy) perfections, for I am never satiated with hearing thy nectar-like words."
"The Holy One said,--'Well, unto thee I will declare my divine perfections, by means of the principal ones (among them), O chief of the Kurus, for there is no end to the extent of my (perfections). 3 I am the soul, O thou of curly hair, seated in the heart of every being, I am the beginning, and the middle, and the end also of all beings. I am Vishnu among the Adityas, the resplendent Sun among all luminous bodies; I am Marichi among the Maruts, and the Moon among constellations. 4 I am the Sama Veda among the Vedas; I am Vasava among the gods; I am the mind among the senses; I am the intellect in (living) beings. I am Sankara among the Rudras, the Lord of treasures among the Yakshas and the Rakshasas; I am Pavaka among the Vasus, and Meru among the peaked (mountains).  5 Know me, O son of Pritha, to be Vrihaspati, the chief of household priests. I am Skanda among commanders of forces. I am Ocean among receptacles of water. I am Bhrigu among the great Rishis, I am the One, undestructible (syllable Om) among words. Of sacrifices I am the Japa-sacrifice. 6 Of immobiles I am the Himavat. I am the figtree
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among all trees, I am Narada among the celestial Rishis. I am Chitraratha among the Gandharvas and the ascetic Kapila among ascetics crowned with Yoga success. Know me to be Uchchaisravas among horses, brought forth by (the churning for) nectar, Airavata among princely elephants, and the king among men. Among weapons I am the thunderbolt, among cows I am (she called) Kamadhuk. I am Kandarpa the cause of reproduction, I am Vasuki among serpents. 1 I am Ananta among Nagas, I am Varuna among acquatic beings, I am Aryaman among the Pitris, and Yama among those that judge and punish. 2 I am Prahlada among the Daityas, and Time among things that count. I am the lion among the beasts, and Vinata's son among winged creatures. Of purifiers I am the wind. I am Rama among wielders of weapons. I am the Makara among fishes, and I am Jahnavi (Ganga) among streams. 3 Of created things I am the beginning and the end and also the middle, O Arjuna. I am the knowledge of Supreme Spirit among all kinds of knowledge, and the disputation among disputants. 4 Among all letters I am the letter A, and (the compound called) Dwanda among all compounds. I am also Time Eternal, and I am the Ordainer with face turned on every side. 5 I am Death that seizeth all, and the source of all, that is to be. Among females, I am Fame, Fortune, Speech, Memory, Intelligence, Constancy, Forgiveness. Of the Sama hymns, I am the Vrihat-sama and Gayatri among metres. Of the months, I am Margasirsha, of the seasons (I am) that which is productive of flowers. 6 I am the game of dice of them that cheat, and the splendour of those that are splendid. I am Victory, I am Exertion, I am the goodness of the good. I am Vasudeva among the Vrishnis, I am Dhananjaya among the sons of Pandu. I am even Vyasa among the ascetics, and Usanas among seers. I am the Rod of those that chastise, I am the Policy of those that seek victory. I am silence among those that are secret. I am the Knowledge of those that are possessed of Knowledge. That which is the Seed of all things, I am that, O Arjuna. There is nothing mobile or
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immobile, which can exist without me. There is no end, O chastiser of foes, of my divine perfections. This recital of the extent of (those) perfections hath been uttered by me by way (only) of instancing them. Whatever of exalted things (there is) or glorious, or strong, understand thou that everything is born of a portion of my energy. Or rather, what hast thou to do, by knowing all this in detail, O Arjuna? Supporting this entire universe with only a portion (of myself), I stand. 1"



Book 6
Chapter 35


1 śrībhagavān uvāca
      ida śarīra kaunteya ketram ity abhidhīyate
      etad yo vetti ta prāhu ketrajña iti tadvida
  2 ketrajña cāpi mā viddhi sarvaketreu bhārata
      ketraketrajñayor jñāna yat taj jñāna mata mama
  3 tat ketra yac ca yādk ca yadvikāri yataś ca yat
      sa ca yo yatprabhāvaś ca tat samāsena me śṛṇu
  4 ṛṣibhir bahudhā gīta chandobhir vividhai pthak
      brahmasūtrapadaiś caiva hetumadbhir viniścitai
  5 mahābhūtāny ahakāro buddhir avyaktam eva ca
      indriyāi daśaika ca pañca cendriyagocarā
  6 icchā dvea sukha dukha saghātaś cetanā dhti
      etat ketra samāsena savikāram udāhtam
  7 amānitvam adambhitvam ahisā kāntir ārjavam
      ācāryopāsana śauca sthairyam ātmavinigraha
  8 indriyārtheu vairāgyam anahakāra eva ca
      janmamtyujarāvyādhidukhadoānudarśanam
  9 asaktir anabhivaga putradāraghādiu
      nitya ca samacittatvam iṣṭāniṣṭopapattiu
  10 mayi cānanyayogena bhaktir avyabhicāriī
     viviktadeśasevitvam aratir janasasadi
 11 adhyātmajñānanityatva tattvajñānārthadarśanam
     etaj jñānam iti proktam ajñāna yad ato 'nyathā
 12 jñeya yat tat pravakyāmi yaj jñātvāmtam aśnute
     anādimat para brahma na sat tan nāsad ucyate
 13 sarvataipāda tat sarvato 'kiśiromukham
     sarvata śrutimal loke sarvam āvtya tiṣṭhati
 14 sarvendriyaguābhāsa sarvendriyavivarjitam
     asakta sarvabhc caiva nirgua guabhokt ca
 15 bahir antaś ca bhūtānām acara caram eva ca
     sūkmatvāt tad avijñeya dūrastha cāntike ca tat
 16 avibhakta ca bhūteu vibhaktam iva ca sthitam
     bhūtabhart ca taj jñeya grasiṣṇu prabhaviṣṇu ca
 17 jyotiām api taj jyotis tamasa param ucyate
     jñāna jñeya jñānagamya hdi sarvasya viṣṭhitam
 18 iti ketra tathā jñāna jñeya cokta samāsata
     madbhakta etad vijñāya madbhāvāyopapadyate
 19 prakti purua caiva viddhy anādī ubhāv api
     vikārāś ca guāś caiva viddhi praktisabhavān
 20 kāryakāraakarttve hetu praktir ucyate
     purua sukhadukhānā bhokttve hetur ucyate
 21 purua praktistho hi bhukte praktijān guān
     kāraa guasago 'sya sadasadyonijanmasu
 22 upadraṣṭānumantā ca bhartā bhoktā maheśvara
     paramātmeti cāpy ukto dehe 'smin purua para
 23 ya eva vetti purua prakti ca guai saha
     sarvathā vartamāno 'pi na sa bhūyo 'bhijāyate
 24 dhyānenātmani paśyanti ke cid ātmānam ātmanā
     anye sākhyena yogena karmayogena cāpare
 25 anye tv evam ajānanta śrutvānyebhya upāsate
     te 'pi cātitaranty eva mtyu śrutiparāyaā
 26 yāvat sajāyate ki cit sattva sthāvarajagamam
     ketraketrajñasayogāt tad viddhi bharatarabha
 27 sama sarveu bhūteu tiṣṭhanta parameśvaram
     vinaśyatsv avinaśyanta ya paśyati sa paśyati
 28 sama paśyan hi sarvatra samavasthitam īśvaram
     na hinasty ātmanātmāna tato yāti parā gatim
 29 praktyaiva ca karmāi kriyamāāni sarvaśa
     ya paśyati tathātmānam akartāra sa paśyati
 30 yadā bhūtapthagbhāvam ekastham anupaśyati
     tata eva ca vistāra brahma sapadyate tadā
 31 anāditvān nirguatvāt paramātmāyam avyaya
     śarīrastho 'pi kaunteya na karoti na lipyate
 32 yathā sarvagata saukmyād ākāśa nopalipyate
     sarvatrāvasthito dehe tathātmā nopalipyate
 33 yathā prakāśayaty eka ktsna lokam ima ravi
     ketra ketrī tathā ktsna prakāśayati bhārata
 34 ketraketrajñayor evam antara jñānacakuā
     bhūtapraktimoka ca ye vidur yānti te param




SECTION XXXV
(Bhagavad Gita Chapter XI)

"Arjuna said,--'This discourse about the supreme mystery, called Adhyatman, which thou hast uttered for my welfare, hath dispelled my delusion. 2 For I have heard at large from thee of the creation and dissolution of beings, O thou of eyes like lotus petals, and also of thy greatness that knoweth no deterioration. What thou hast said about thyself, O great Lord, is even so. O best of Male Beings, I desire to behold thy sovereign form. If, O Lord, thou thinkest that I am competent to behold that (form), then, O Lord of mystic power, show me thy eternal Self. 3'
"The Holy One said, 'Behold, O son of Pritha, my forms by hundreds and thousands, various, divine, diverse in hue and shape. Behold the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Aswins, and the Maruts. Behold, O Bharata, innumerable marvels unseen before (by thee). Behold, O thou of curly hair, the entire universe of mobiles and immobiles, collected together in this body of mine, whatever else thou mayst wish to see. 4 Thou art, however, not competent to behold me with this eye of thine. I give thee celestial sight. Behold my sovereign mystic nature.'"
Sanjaya continued,--"Having said this, O monarch, Hari, the mighty Lord of mystic power, then revealed to the son of Pritha his Supreme sovereign form, with many mouths and eyes, many wonderous aspects, many celestial ornaments, many celestial weapons uplifted, wearing celestial garlands and robes, (and) with unguents of celestial fragrance, full of every wonder, resplendent, infinite, with faces turned on all sides. 5 If the splendour of a thousand suns were to burst forth at once in the sky,
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[paragraph continues] (then) that would be like the splendour of that Mighty One. The son of Pandu then beheld there in the body of that God of gods the entire universe divided and sub-divided into many parts, all collected together. 1 Then Dhananjaya, filled with amazement, (and) with hair standing on end, bowing with (his) head, with joined hands addressed the God.
"Arjuna said, 'I behold all the gods, O God, as also all the varied hosts of creatures, (and) Brahman seated on (his) lotus seat, and all the Rishis and the celestial snakes. I behold Thee with innumerable arms, stomachs, mouths, (and) eyes, on every side, O thou of infinite forms. Neither end nor middle, nor also beginning of thine do I behold, O Lord of the universe, O thou of universal form. Bearing (thy) diadem, mace, and discus, a mass of energy, glowing on all sides, do I behold thee that art hard to look at, endued on all sides with the effulgence of the blazing fire or the Sun, (and) immeasurable. Thou art indestructible, (and) the Supreme object of this universe. Thou art without decay, the guardian of eternal virtue. I regard thee to be the eternal (male) Being. I behold thee to be without beginning, mean, end, to be of infinite prowess, of innumerable arms, having the Sun and the Moon for thy eyes, the blazing fire for thy mouth, and heating this universe with energy of thy own. For the space betwixt heaven and earth is pervaded by Thee alone, as also all the points of the horizon. At sight of this marvellous and fierce form of thine, O Supreme Soul, the triple world trembleth. For these hosts of gods are entering thee. Some, afraid, are praying with joined hands. Saying Hail to Thee--the hosts of great Rishis and Siddhas praise Thee with copious hymns of praise. 2 The Rudras, the Adityas, the Vasus, they that (called) the Siddhas, the Viswas, the Aswins, the Maruts, also the Ushmapas, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Asuras, the hosts of Siddhyas, behold Thee and are all amazed. Beholding Thy mighty form with many mouths and eyes, O mighty-armed one, with innumerable arms, thighs and feet, many stomachs, (and) terrible in consequence of many tusks, all creatures are frightened and I also. Indeed, touching the very skies, of blazing radiance, many-hued, mouth wide-open, with eyes that are blazing and large, beholding thee, O Vishnu, with (my) inner soul trembling (in fright), I can no longer command courage and peace of mind. Beholding thy mouths that are terrible in consequence of (their) tusks, and that are fierce (as the all-destroying fire at the end of the Yuga), I cannot recognise the points of the horizon nor can I command peace of mind. Be gracious, O God of gods, O thou that art the refuge of the Universe. And all these sons of Dhritarashtra, together with the hosts of kings, and Bhishma, and Drona, and also this Suta's son (Karna), accompanied by even the principal warriors of our
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side, are quickly entering thy terrible mouths rendered fierce by thy tusks. Some, with their heads crushed, are seen striking at the interstices of (thy) teeth. As many currents of water flowing through different channels roll rapidly towards the ocean, so these heroes of the world of men enter thy mouths that flame all around. As moths with increasing speed rush for (their own) destruction to the blazing fire, so also do (these) people, with unceasing speed, enter thy mouths for (their) destruction. Swallowing all these men from every side, thou lickest them with thy flaming mouths. Filling the whole universe with (thy) energy, thy fierce splendours, O Vishnu, are heating (everything). Tell me who thou art of (such) fierce form. I bow to thee, O chief of the gods, be gracious to me. I desire to know thee that art the Primeval One, I do not understand thy action.' 1
The Holy One said, "I am Death, the destroyer of the worlds, fully developed. I am now engaged in slaying the race of men. Without thee all these warriors standing in the different divisions shall cease to be. 2 Wherefore, arise, gain glory, (and) vanquishing the foe, enjoy (this) swelling kingdom. By me have all these been already slain. Be only (my) instrument. O thou that can'st draw the bow with (even) the left hand. Drona and Bhishma, and Jayadratha, and Karna, and also other heroic warriors, (already) slain by me, do thou slay. Be not dismayed, fight; thou shalt conquer in battle (thy) foes."
Sanjaya continued,--"Hearing these words of Kesava, the diadem-decked (Arjuna), trembling, (and) with joined-hands, bowed (unto him); and once more said unto Krishna, with voice choked up and overwhelmed with fear, and making his salutations (to him).--
Arjuna said, "It is meet, Hrishikesa, that the universe is delighted and charmed in uttering thy praise, and the Rakshasas flee in fear in all directions, and the hosts of the Siddhas bow down (to thee). And why should they not bow down to thee, O Supreme Soul, that are greater than even Brahman (himself), and the primal cause? O thou that art Infinite. O God of the gods, O thou that art the refuge of the universe, thou art indestructible, thou art that which is, and that which is not and that which is beyond (both). Thou art the First God, the ancient (male) Being, thou art the Supreme refuge of this universe. Thou art the Knower, thou art the Object to be known, thou art the highest abode.
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[paragraph continues] By thee is pervaded this universe, O thou of infinite form. 1 Thou art Vayu, Yama, Agni, Varuna, Moon, Prajapati, and Grandsire. Obeisance be to thee a thousand times, and again and yet again obeisance to thee. Obeisance to thee in front, and also from behind. Let obeisance be to thee from every side, O thou that art all. Thou art all, of energy that is infinite, and prowess that is immeasurable. Thou embracest the All. Regarding (thee) a friend whatever hath been said by me carelessly, such as--O Krishna, O Yadava, O friend,--not knowing this thy greatness from want of judgement or from love either, whatever disrespect hath been shown thee for purpose of mirth, on occasions of play, lying, sitting, (or) at meals, while alone or in the presence of others, O undeteriorating one, I beg thy pardon for it, that art immeasurable. Thou art the father of this universe of mobiles and immobiles. Thou art the great master deserving of worship. There is none equal to thee, how can there be one greater? O thou whose power is unparalleled in even three worlds? 2 Therefore bowing (to thee) prostrating (my) body, I ask thy grace, O Lord, O adorable one. It behoveth thee. O God, to bear (my faults) as a father (his) son's, a friend (his) friend's, a lover (his) loved one's. Beholding (thy) form (unseen) before, I have been joyful, (yet) my mind hath been troubled, with fear. Show me that (other ordinary) form, O God. Be gracious, O Lord of the gods, O thou that art the refuge of the universe. (Decked) in diadem, and (armed) with mace, discus in hand, as before, I desire to behold thee. Be of that same four-armed form, O thou of a thousand arms, thou of universal form."
"The Holy One said, 'Pleased with thee, O Arjuna, I have, by my (own) mystic power, shown thee this supreme form, full of glory, Universal, Infinite, Primeval, which hath been seen before by none save thee. Except by thee alone, hero of Kuru's race, I cannot be seen in this form in the world of men by any one else, (aided) even by the study of the Vedas and of sacrifices, by gifts, by actions, (or) by the severest austerities. 3 Let no fear be thine, nor perplexity of mind at seeing this awful form of mine. Freed from fear with a joyful heart, thou again see Me assuming that other form.'"
Sanjaya continued,--"Vasudeva, having said all this to Arjuna, once more showed (him) his own (ordinary) form, and that High-Souled one, assuming once more (his) gentle form, comforted him who had been afflicted."
"Arjuna said, 'Beholding this gentle human form of thine, O Janardana, I have now become of right mind and have come to my normal state.'
"The Holy One said, 'This form of mine which thou hast seen is difficult
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of being seen. Even the gods are always desirous of becoming spectators of this (my) form. Not by the Vedas, nor by austerities, nor by gifts, nor by sacrifices, can I be seen in this form of mine which thou hast seen. By reverence, however, that is exclusive (in its objects), O Arjuna, I can in this form be known, seen truly, and attained to, O chastiser of foes. He who doth everything for me, who hath me for his supreme object, who is freed from attachment, who is without enmity towards all beings, even he, O Arjuna, cometh to me.'


Book 6
Chapter 36



1 śrībhagavān uvāca
      para bhūya pravakyāmi jñānānā jñānam uttamam
      yaj jñātvā munaya sarve parā siddhim ito gatā
  2 ida jñānam upāśritya mama sādharmyam āgatā
      sarge 'pi nopajāyante pralaye na vyathanti ca
  3 mama yonir mahad brahma tasmin garbha dadhāmy aham
      sabhava sarvabhūtānā tato bhavati bhārata
  4 sarvayoniu kaunteya mūrtaya sabhavanti yā
      tāsā brahma mahad yonir aha bījaprada pitā
  5 sattva rajas tama iti guā praktisabhavā
      nibadhnanti mahābāho dehe dehinam avyayam
  6 tatra sattva nirmalatvāt prakāśakam anāmayam
      sukhasagena badhnāti jñānasagena cānagha
  7 rajo rāgātmaka viddhi tṛṣṇāsagasamudbhavam
      tan nibadhnāti kaunteya karmasagena dehinam
  8 tamas tv ajñānaja viddhi mohana sarvadehinām
      pramādālasyanidrābhis tan nibadhnāti bhārata
  9 sattva sukhe sajayati raja karmai bhārata
      jñānam āvtya tu tama pramāde sajayaty uta
  10 rajas tamaś cābhibhūya sattva bhavati bhārata
     raja sattva tamaś caiva tama sattva rajas tathā
 11 sarvadvāreu dehe 'smin prakāśa upajāyate
     jñāna yadā tadā vidyād vivddha sattvam ity uta
 12 lobha pravttir ārambha karmaām aśama sp
     rajasy etāni jāyante vivddhe bharatarabha
 13 aprakāśo 'pravttiś ca pramādo moha eva ca
     tamasy etāni jāyante vivddhe kurunandana
 14 yadā sattve pravddhe tu pralaya yāti dehabht
     tadottamavidā lokān amalān pratipadyate
 15 rajasi pralaya gatvā karmasagiu jāyate
     tathā pralīnas tamasi mūhayoniu jāyate
 16 karmaa suktasyāhu sāttvika nirmala phalam
     rajasas tu phala dukham ajñāna tamasa phalam
 17 sattvāt sajāyate jñāna rajaso lobha eva ca
     pramādamohau tamaso bhavato 'jñānam eva ca
 18 ūrdhva gacchanti sattvasthā madhye tiṣṭhanti rājasā
     jaghanyaguavttasthā adho gacchanti tāmasā
 19 nānya guebhya kartāra yadā draṣṭānupaśyati
     guebhyaś ca para vetti madbhāva so 'dhigacchati
 20 guān etān atītya trīn dehī dehasamudbhavān
     janmamtyujarādukhair vimukto 'mtam aśnute
 21 arjuna uvāca
     kair ligais trīn guān etān atīto bhavati prabho
     kimācāra katha caitās trīn guān ativartate
 22 śrībhagavān uvāca
     prakāśa ca pravtti ca moham eva ca pāṇḍava
     na dveṣṭi sapravttāni na nivttāni kākati
 23 udāsīnavad āsīno guair yo na vicālyate
     guā vartanta ity eva yo 'vatiṣṭhati negate
 24 samadukhasukha svastha samaloṣṭāśmakāñcana
     tulyapriyāpriyo dhīras tulyanindātmasastuti
 25 mānāpamānayos tulyas tulyo mitrāripakayo
     sarvārambhaparityāgī guātīta sa ucyate
 26 ca yo 'vyabhicārea bhaktiyogena sevate
     sa guān samatītyaitān brahmabhūyāya kalpate
 27 brahmao hi pratiṣṭhāham amtasyāvyayasya ca
     śāśvatasya ca dharmasya sukhasyaikāntikasya ca


SECTION XXXVI
(Bhagavad Gita Chapter XII)

"Arjuna said, 'Of those worshippers who, constantly devoted, adore thee, and those who (meditate) on thee as the Immutable and Unmanifest, who are best acquainted with devotion.'
"The Holy One said, 'Fixing (their) mind on me, they that constantly adore me, being endued (besides) with the highest faith, are deemed by me to be the most devoted. They, however, who worship the Immutable, the Unmanifest, the All-pervading, the Inconceivable, the Indifferent, the Immutable, the Eternal, who, restraining the entire group of the senses, are equal-minded in respect of all around and are engaged in the good of all creatures, (also) attain to me. The trouble is the greater for those whose minds are fixed on the Unmanifest; for the path to the Unmanifest is hard to find by those that are embodied. They (again) who, reposing all action on me (and) regarding me as their highest object (of attainment), worship me, meditating on me with devotion undirected to anything else, of them whose minds are (thus) fixed on me, I, without delay, become the deliverer from the ocean of (this) mortal world. Fix thy heart on me alone, place thy understanding on me, Hereafter then shalt thou dwell in me. (There is) no doubt (in this). 1 If however, thou art unable to fix thy heart steadily on me, then, O Dhananjaya, strive to obtain me by devotion (arising) from continuous application. If thou beest unequal to even (this) continuous application, then let actions performed for me be thy highest aim. Even performing all thy acts for my sake, thou wilt obtain perfection. If even this thou art unable to do, then resorting to devotion in me, (and) subduing thy soul, abandon the fruit of all actions. Knowledge is superior to application (in devotion); meditation is better than knowledge; the abandonment of the fruit of reaction (is better) than meditation, and tranquillity (results) immediately from abandonment. He who hath no hatred for any creature, who is friendly and compassionate also, who is free from egoism, who hath no vanity, attachment, who is alike in pleasure
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and pain, who is forgiving, contented, always devoted, of subdued, soul, firm of purpose, with heart and understanding fixed on me, even he is dear to me. He through whom the world is not troubled, (and) who is not troubled by the world, who is free from joy, wrath, fear and anxieties, even he is dear to me. That devotee of mine who is unconcerned, pure, diligent, unconnected (with worldly objects), and free from distress (of mind), and who renounceth every action (for fruit), even he is dear to me. 1 He who hath no joy, no aversion, who neither grieveth nor desireth, who renounceth both good and evil, (and) who is full of faith in me, even he is dear to me. He who is alike to friend and foe, as also in honour and dishonour, who is alike in cold and heat, (and pleasure and pain), who is free from attachment, to whom censure and praise are equal, who is taciturn, who is contented with anything that cometh (to him), who is homeless, of steady mind and full of faith, even that man is dear to me. They who resort to this righteousness (leading to) immortality which hath been (already) declared,--those devotees full of faith and regarding me as the highest object (of their acquisition) are the dearest to me.'




Book 6
Chapter 37




1 śrībhagavān uvāca
      ūrdhvamūlam adhaśākham aśvattha prāhur avyayam
      chandāsi yasya parāni yas ta veda sa vedavit
  2 adhaś cordhva prastās tasya śākhā; guapravddhā viayapravālā
      adhaś ca mūlāny anusatatāni; karmānubandhīni manuyaloke
  3 na rūpam asyeha tathopalabhyate; nānto na cādir na ca sapratiṣṭ
      aśvattham ena suvirūhamūlam; asagaśastrea dṛḍhena chittvā
  4 tata pada tatparimārgitavya; yasmin gatā na nivartanti bhūya
      tam eva cādya purua prapadye; yata pravtti prastā purāī
  5 nirmānamohā jitasagadoā; adhyātmanityā vinivttakāmā
      dvandvair vimuktā sukhadukhasajñair; gacchanty amū padam avyaya tat
  6 na tad bhāsayate sūryo na śaśāko na pāvaka
      yad gatvā na nivartante tad dhāma parama mama
  7 mamaivāśo jīvaloke jīvabhūta sanātana
      manaḥṣaṣṭhānīndriyāi praktisthāni karati
  8 śarīra yad avāpnoti yac cāpy utkrāmatīśvara
      ghītvaitāni sayāti vāyur gandhān ivāśayāt
  9 śrotra caku sparśana ca rasana ghrāam eva ca
      adhiṣṭhāya manaś cāya viayān upasevate
  10 utkrāmanta sthita vāpi bhuñjāna vā guānvitam
     vimūhā nānupaśyanti paśyanti jñānacakua
 11 yatanto yoginaś caina paśyanty ātmany avasthitam
     yatanto 'py aktātmāno naina paśyanty acetasa
 12 yad ādityagata tejo jagad bhāsayate 'khilam
     yac candramasi yac cāgnau tat tejo viddhi māmakam
 13 gām āviśya ca bhūtāni dhārayāmy aham ojasā
     puṣṇāmi cauadhī sarvā somo bhūtvā rasātmaka
 14 aha vaiśvānaro bhūtvā prāinā deham āśrita
     prāāpānasamāyukta pacāmy anna caturvidham
 15 sarvasya cāha hdi saniviṣṭo; matta smtir jñānam apohana ca
     vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyo; vedāntakd vedavid eva cāham
 16 dvāv imau puruau loke karaś cākara eva ca
     kara sarvāi bhūtāni kūastho 'kara ucyate
 17 uttama puruas tv anya paramātmety udāhta
     yo lokatrayam āviśya bibharty avyaya īśvara
 18 yasmāt karam atīto 'ham akarād api cottama
     ato 'smi loke vede ca prathita puruottama
 19 yo mām evam asaho jānāti puruottamam
     sa sarvavid bhajati mā sarvabhāvena bhārata
 20 iti guhyatama śāstram idam ukta mayānagha
     etad buddhvā buddhimān syāt ktaktyaś ca bhārata




SECTION XXXVII
(Bhagavad Gita, Chapter XIII)

"The Holy One said, 'This body, O son of Kunti, is called Kshetra. Him who knoweth it, the learned call Kshetrajna2 Know me, O Bharata, to be Kshetras. The knowledge of Kshetra and Kshetrajna I regard to be (true) knowledge. What that Kshetra (is), and what (it is) like, and what changes it undergoes, and whence (it comes), what is he (viz., Kshetrajna), and what his powers are, hear from me in brief. All this hath in many ways been sung separately, by Rishis in various verses, in well-settled texts fraught with reason and giving indications of Brahman. The great elements, egoism, intellect, the unmanifest (viz., Prakriti), also the ten senses, the one (manas), the five objects of sense, desire, aversion, pleasure, pain, body consciousness, courage,--all this in brief hath been declared to be Kshetra in its modified form. Absence of vanity, absence of ostentation, abstention from injury, forgiveness, uprightness, devotion to preceptor, purity, constancy, self-restraint, indifference to objects of sense, absence of egoism, perception of the misery and evil of birth, death, decrepitude and disease, 3
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freedom from attachment, absence of sympathy for son, wife, home, and the rest, and constant equanimity of heart on attainment of good and evil, unswerving devotion to me without meditation on anything else, frequenting of lonely places, distaste for concourse of men, 1 constancy in the knowledge of the relation of the individual self to the supreme, perception of the object of the knowledge of truth,--all this is called Knowledge; all that which is contrary to this is Ignorance. 2 That which is the object of knowledge I will (now) declare (to thee), knowing which one obtaineth immortality. [It is] the Supreme Brahma having no beginning, who is said to be neither existent nor non-existent; whose hands and feet are on all sides, whose eyes, heads and faces are on all sides, who dwells pervading everything in the world, who is possessed of all the qualities of the senses (though) devoid of the senses, without attachment (yet) sustaining all things, without attributes (yet) enjoying (a) all attributes, 3 without and within all creatures, immobile and mobile, not knowable because of (his) subtlety, remote yet near, undistributed in all beings, (yet) remaining as if distributed, who is the sustainer of (all) beings, the absorber and the creator (of all); who is the light of all luminous bodies, who is said to be beyond all darkness; who is knowledge, the Object of knowledge, the End of knowledge and seated in the hearts of all. Thus Kshetra, and Knowledge, and the Object of Knowledge, have been declared (to thee) in brief. My devotee, knowing (all) this, becomes one in spirit with me. Know that Nature and Spirit are both without beginning (and) know (also) that all modifications and all qualities spring from Nature. 4 Nature is said to be the source of the capacity of enjoying pleasures and pains. 5 For Spirit, dwelling in nature enjoyeth the qualities born of Nature. The cause of its births in good or evil wombs is (its) connection with the qualities. 6 The Supreme Purusha in this body is said to be surveyor, approver, supporter, enjoyer, the
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mighty lord, and also the Supreme Soul. 1 He who thus knows Spirit, and Nature, with the qualities, in whatever state he may be, is never born again. Some by meditation behold the self in the self by the self; others by devotion according to the Sankhya system; and others (again), by devotion through works. Others yet not knowing this, worship, hearing of it from others. Even these, devoted to what is heard, cross over death. 2 Whatever entity, immobile or mobile, cometh into existence, know that, O bull of Bharata's race, to be from the connection of Kshetra and Kshetrajna (matter and spirit). He seeth the Supreme Lord dwelling alike in all beings, the Imperishable in the Perishable. For seeing the Lord dwelling alike everywhere, one doth not destroy 3 himself by himself, and then reacheth the highest goal. He seeth (truly) who seeth all actions to be wrought by nature alone in every way and the self likewise to be not the doer. When one seeth the diversity of entities as existing in one, and the issue (everything) from that (One), then is one said to attain to Brahma. This inexhaustible Supreme Self, O son of Kunti, being without beginning and without attributes, doth not act, nor is stained even when stationed in the body. As space, which is ubiquitous, is never, in consequence of its subtlety tainted, so the soul, stationed in every body, is never tainted. 4 As the single Sun lights up the entire world, so the Spirit, O Bharata, lights up the entire (sphere of) matters. They that, by the eye of knowledge, know the distinction between matter and spirit, and the deliverance from the nature of all entities, attain to the Supreme. 5

Book 6
Chapter 38





1 śrībhagavān uvāca
      abhaya sattvasaśuddhir jñānayogavyavasthiti
      dāna damaś ca yajñaś ca svādhyāyas tapa ārjavam
  2 ahisā satyam akrodhas tyāga śāntir apaiśunam
      dayā bhūtev aloluptva mārdava hrīr acāpalam
  3 teja kamā dhti śaucam adroho nātimānitā
      bhavanti sapada daivīm abhijātasya bhārata
  4 dambho darpo 'timānaś ca krodha pāruyam eva ca
      ajñāna cābhijātasya pārtha sapadam āsurīm
  5 daivī sapad vimokāya nibandhāyāsurī matā
      mā śuca sapada daivīm abhijāto 'si pāṇḍava
  6 dvau bhūtasargau loke 'smin daiva āsura eva ca
      daivo vistaraśa prokta āsura pārtha me śṛṇu
  7 pravtti ca nivtti ca janā na vidur āsurā
      na śauca nāpi cācāro na satya teu vidyate
  8 asatyam apratiṣṭha te jagad āhur anīśvaram
      aparasparasabhūta kim anyat kāmahaitukam
  9 etā dṛṣṭim avaṣṭabhya naṣṭātmāno 'lpabuddhaya
      prabhavanty ugrakarmāa kayāya jagato 'hitā
  10 kāmam āśritya dupūra dambhamānamadānvitā
     mohād ghītvāsadgrāhān pravartante 'śucivratā
 11 cintām aparimeyā ca pralayāntām upāśritā
     kāmopabhogaparamā etāvad iti niścitā
 12 āśāpāśaśatair baddhā kāmakrodhaparāyaā
     īhante kāmabhogārtham anyāyenārthasacayān
 13 idam adya mayā labdham ida prāpsye manoratham
     idam astīdam api me bhaviyati punar dhanam
 14 asau mayā hata śatrur haniye cāparān api
     īśvaro 'ham aha bhogī siddho 'ha balavān sukhī
 15 āhyo 'bhijanavān asmi ko 'nyo 'sti sadśo mayā
     yakye dāsyāmi modiya ity ajñānavimohitā
 16 anekacittavibhrāntā mohajālasamāv
     prasaktā kāmabhogeu patanti narake 'śucau
 17 ātmasabhāvitā stabdhā dhanamānamadānvitā
     yajante nāmayajñais te dambhenāvidhipūrvakam
 18 ahakāra bala darpa kāma krodha ca saśritā
     mām ātmaparadeheu pradvianto 'bhyasūyakā
 19 tān aha dviata krūrān sasāreu narādhamān
     kipāmy ajasram aśubhān āsurīv eva yoniu
 20 āsurī yonim āpannā mūhā janmani janmani
     mām aprāpyaiva kaunteya tato yānty adhamā gatim
 21 trividha narakasyeda dvāra nāśanam ātmana
     kāma krodhas tathā lobhas tasmād etat traya tyajet
 22 etair vimukta kaunteya tamodvārais tribhir nara
     ācaraty ātmana śreyas tato yāti parā gatim
 23 ya śāstravidhim utsjya vartate kāmakārata
     na sa siddhim avāpnoti na sukha na parā gatim
 24 tasmāc chāstra pramāa te kāryākāryavyavasthitau
     jñātvā śāstravidhānokta karma kartum ihārhasi



SECTION XXXVIII
(Bhagavad Gita Chapter XIV)

"The Holy One said, 'I will again declare (to thee) that supernal science of sciences, that excellent science, knowing which all the munis have attained to the highest perfection from (the fetters of) this body. 6
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[paragraph continues] Resorting to this science, and attaining to my nature, they are not reborn even on (the occasion of) a (new) creation and are not disturbed at the universal dissolution. The mighty Brahma is a womb for me. Therein I place the (living) germ. Thence, O Bharata, the birth of all beings taketh place. Whatever (bodily) forms, O son of Kunti, are born in all wombs, of them Brahma is the mighty womb, (and) I the seed-imparting Sire. 1 Goodness, passion, darkness, these qualities, born of nature, bind down, O thou of mighty arms, the eternal embodied [soul] in the body. 2 Amongst these, Goodness, from its unsullied nature, being enlightening and free from misery, bindeth (the soul), O sinless one, with the attainment of happiness and of knowledge. Know that passion, having desire for its essence, is born of thirst and attachment. That, O son of Kunti, bindeth the embodied (soul) by the attachment of work. Darkness, however, know, is born of ignorance, (and) bewilders all embodied [soul]. That bindeth, O Bharata, by error, indolence, and sleep. Goodness uniteth (the soul) with pleasure; Passion, O Bharata, uniteth with work; but darkness, veiling knowledge, uniteth with error. Passion and darkness, being repressed, Goodness remaineth, O Bharata. Passion and goodness (being repressed), darkness (remaineth); (and) darkness and goodness (being repressed), passion (remaineth). When in this body, in all its gates, the light of knowledge is produced, then should one know that goodness hath been developed there. Avarice, activity, performance of works, want of tranquillity, desire,--these, O bull of Bharata's race, are born when passion is developed. Gloom, inactivity, error, and delusion also,--these, O son of Kuru's race, are born when darkness is developed. When the holder of a body goeth to dissolution while goodness is developed, then he attaineth to the spotless regions of those that know the Supreme. Going to dissolution when passion prevails, one is born among those that are attached to work. Likewise, dissolved during darkness, one is born in wombs that beget the ignorant. The fruit of good action is said to be good and untainted. The fruit, however, of passion, is misery; (and) the fruit of Darkness is ignorance. From goodness is produced knowledge; from passion, avarice; (and) from darkness are error and delusion, and also ignorance. They that dwell in goodness go on high; they that are addicted to passion dwell in the middle; (while) they that are of darkness, being addicted to the lowest quality, go down. When an observer recognises none else to be an agent save the qualities, and knows that which is beyond (the qualities), he attaineth to my nature. The embodied [soul], by transcending these three qualities which constitute the source of all bodies, enjoyeth immortality, being freed from birth,
p. 88
death, decrepitude, and misery.' 1
"Arjuna said, 'What are indications, O Lord, of one who hath transcended these three qualities? What is his conduct? How also doth one transcend these three qualities?"
"The Holy One said, 'He who hath no aversion for light, activity, and even delusion, O son of Pandu, when they are present, nor desireth them when they are absent, 2 who, seated as one unconcerned, is not shaken by those qualities; who sitteth and moveth not, thinking that it is the qualities (and not he) that are engaged (in their respective functions); to whom pain and pleasure are alike, who is self-contained, and to whom a sod of earth, a stone, and gold are alike; to whom the agreeable and the disagreeable are the same; who hath discernment; to whom censure and praise are the same; to whom honour and dishonour are the same; who regardeth friend and foe alike; who hath renounced all exertion--is said to have transcended the qualities. He also who worshippeth Me with exclusive devotion, he, transcending those qualities, becometh fit for admission into the nature of Brahma. For I am the stay of Brahma, of immortality, of undestructibility, of eternal piety, and of unbroken felicity.' 3



Book 6
Chapter 39





1 arjuna uvāca
      ye śāstravidhim utsjya yajante śraddhayānvitā
      teā niṣṭhā tu kā kṛṣṇa sattvam āho rajas tama
  2 śrībhagavān uvāca
      trividhā bhavati śraddhā dehinā sā svabhāvajā
      sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tā śṛṇu
  3 sattvānurūpā sarvasya śraddhā bhavati bhārata
      śraddhāmayo 'ya puruo yo yacchraddha sa eva sa
  4 yajante sāttvikā devān yakarakāsi rājasā
      pretān bhūtagaāś cānye yajante tāmasā janā
  5 aśāstravihita ghora tapyante ye tapo janā
      dambhāhakārasayuktā kāmarāgabalānvitā
  6 karśayanta śarīrastha bhūtagrāmam acetasa
      mā caivāntaśarīrastha tān viddhy āsuraniścayān
  7 āhāras tv api sarvasya trividho bhavati priya
      yajñas tapas tathā dāna teā bhedam ima śṛṇu
  8 āyusattvabalārogyasukhaprītivivardhanā
      rasyā snigdhā sthirā hdyā āhārā sāttvikapriyā
  9 kavamlalavaātyuṣṇatīkṣṇarūkavidāhina
      āhārā rājasasyeṣṭā dukhaśokāmayapradā
  10 yātayāma gatarasa pūti paryuita ca yat
     ucchiṣṭam api cāmedhya bhojana tāmasapriyam
 11 aphalākākibhir yajño vidhidṛṣṭo ya ijyate
     yaṣṭavyam eveti mana samādhāya sa sāttvika
 12 abhisadhāya tu phala dambhārtham api caiva yat
     ijyate bharataśreṣṭha ta yajña viddhi rājasam
 13 vidhihīnam asṛṣṭānna mantrahīnam adakiam
     śraddhāvirahita yajña tāmasa paricakate
 14 devadvijaguruprājñapūjana śaucam ārjavam
     brahmacaryam ahisā ca śārīra tapa ucyate
 15 anudvegakara vākya satya priyahita ca yat
     svādhyāyābhyasana caiva vāmaya tapa ucyate
 16 manaprasāda saumyatva maunam ātmavinigraha
     bhāvasaśuddhir ity etat tapo mānasam ucyate
 17 śraddhayā parayā tapta tapas tat trividha narai
     aphalākākibhir yuktai sāttvika paricakate
 18 satkāramānapūjārtha tapo dambhena caiva yat
     kriyate tad iha prokta rājasa calam adhruvam
 19hagrāheātmano yat pīayā kriyate tapa
     parasyotsādanārtha vā tat tāmasam udāhtam
 20 dātavyam iti yad dāna dīyate 'nupakārie
     deśe kāle ca pātre ca tad dāna sāttvika smtam
 21 yat tu pratyupakārārtha phalam uddiśya vā puna
     dīyate ca parikliṣṭa tad dāna rājasa smtam
 22 adeśakāle yad dānam apātrebhyaś ca dīyate
     asatktam avajñāta tat tāmasam udāhtam
 23 o tat sad iti nirdeśo brahmaas trividha smta
     brāhmaās tena vedāś ca yajñāś ca vihitā purā
 24 tasmād om ity udāhtya yajñadānatapakriyā
     pravartante vidhānoktā satata brahmavādinām
 25 tad ity anabhisadhāya phala yajñatapakriyā
     dānakriyāś ca vividhā kriyante mokakākibhi
 26 sadbhāve sādhubhāve ca sad ity etat prayujyate
     praśaste karmai tathā sacchabda pārtha yujyate
 27 yajñe tapasi dāne ca sthiti sad iti cocyate
     karma caiva tadarthīya sad ity evābhidhīyate
 28 aśraddhayā huta datta tapas tapta kta ca yat
     asad ity ucyate pārtha na ca tat pretya no iha



SECTION XXXIX
(Bhagavad Gita Chapter XV)

"The Holy One said, 'They say that the Aswattha, having its roots above and branches below, is eternal, its leaves are the Chhandas. He who knoweth it, knoweth the Vedas4 Downwards and upwards are stretched its branches which are enlarged by the qualities; its sprouts are the objects of senses. Downwards its roots, leading to action, are extended to this world of men. 5 Its form cannot here (below) be thus known, nor
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[paragraph continues] (its) end, nor (its) beginning, nor (its) support. Cutting, with the hard weapon of unconcern, this Aswattha of roots firmly fixed, then should one seek for that place repairing whither one returneth not again (thinking)--I will seek the protection of that Primeval Sire from whom the ancient course of (worldly) life hath flowed.--Those that are free from pride and delusion, that have subdued the evil of attachment, that are steady in the contemplation of the relation of the Supreme to the individual self, from whom desire hath departed, freed from the pairs of opposites known by the names of pleasure and pain (and the like), repair, undeluded, to that eternal seat. The sun lighteth not that [seat], nor the moon, nor fire. Whither going none returneth, that is my supreme seat. An eternal portion of Me is that which, becoming an individual soul in the world of life, draweth to itself the (five) senses with the mind as the sixth which all depend on nature. When the sovereign (of this bodily frame) assumeth or quitteth (a) body, it departeth taking away these, like the wind (taking away) perfumes from their seats. Presiding over the ear, the eye, (the organs of) touch, taste, and smell, and also over the mind, he enjoyeth all objects of senses. They that are deluded do not see (him) when quitting or abiding in (the body), when enjoying or joined to the qualities. They (however) see that have the eye of knowledge. 1 Devotees exerting (towards that end) behold him dwelling in themselves. They (however) that are senseless and whose minds are not restrained, behold him not, even while exerting (themselves). 2 That splendour dwelling in the sun which illumines the vast universe, that (which is) in the moon, and that (which is) in the fire, know that splendour to be mine. Entering into the earth I uphold creatures by my force; and becoming the juicy moon I nourish all herbs. 3 Myself becoming the vital heat (Vaiswanara) residing in the bodies of creatures that breathe, (and) uniting with the upward and the downward life-breaths, I digest the four kinds of food. 4 I am seated in the hearts of all. From Me are memory and knowledge and the loss of both. I am the objects of knowledge to be known by (the aid of) all the Vedas. I am the author of the Vedantas, and I alone
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am the knower of the Vedas1 There are these two entities in the world, viz., the mutable and the immutable. The mutable is all (these) creatures. The unchangeable one is called the immutable. 2 But there is another, the Supreme Being, called Paramatman, who was the Eternal Lord, pervading the three worlds, sustaineth (them) (and) since I transcend the mutable, and am higher than even the immutable; for this I am celebrated in the world (among men) and in the Veda as Purushottama (the Highest Being). He who, without being deluded, knoweth Me as this Highest Being,--he knowing all, O Bharata, worshippeth Me in every way. 3 Thus, O sinless one, hath this knowledge, forming the greatest of mysteries, been declared by Me (to thee). Knowing this, O Bharata, one will become gifted with intelligence, and will have done all he needs do.'


Book 6
Chapter 40





 1 arjuna uvāca
      sanyāsasya mahābāho tattvam icchāmi veditum
      tyāgasya ca hṛṣīkeśa pthak keśiniūdana
  2 śrībhagavān uvāca
      kāmyānā karmaā nyāsa sanyāsa kavayo vidu
      sarvakarmaphalatyāga prāhus tyāga vicakaā
  3 tyājya doavad ity eke karma prāhur manīia
      yajñadānatapakarma na tyājyam iti cāpare
  4 niścaya śṛṇu me tatra tyāge bharatasattama
      tyāgo hi puruavyāghra trividha saprakīrtita
  5 yajñadānatapakarma na tyājya kāryam eva tat
      yajño dāna tapaś caiva pāvanāni manīiām
  6 etāny api tu karmāi saga tyaktvā phalāni ca
      kartavyānīti me pārtha niścita matam uttamam
  7 niyatasya tu sanyāsa karmao nopapadyate
      mohāt tasya parityāgas tāmasa parikīrtita
  8 dukham ity eva yat karma kāyakleśabhayāt tyajet
      sa ktvā rājasa tyāga naiva tyāgaphala labhet
  9 kāryam ity eva yat karma niyata kriyate 'rjuna
      saga tyaktvā phala caiva sa tyāga sāttviko mata
  10 na dveṣṭy akuśala karma kuśale nānuajjate
     tyāgī sattvasamāviṣṭo medhāvī chinnasaśaya
 11 na hi dehabhtā śakya tyaktu karmāy aśeata
     yas tu karmaphalatyāgī sa tyāgīty abhidhīyate
 12 aniṣṭam iṣṭa miśra ca trividha karmaa phalam
     bhavaty atyāginā pretya na tu sanyāsinā kva cit
 13 pañcaitāni mahābāho kāraāni nibodha me
     sākhye ktānte proktāni siddhaye sarvakarmaām
 14 adhiṣṭhāna tathā kartā karaa ca pthagvidham
     vividhāś ca pthakceṣṭā daiva caivātra pañcamam
 15 śarīravāmanobhir yat karma prārabhate nara
     nyāyya vā viparīta vā pañcaite tasya hetava
 16 tatraiva sati kartāram ātmāna kevala tu ya
     paśyaty aktabuddhitvān na sa paśyati durmati
 17 yasya nāhakto bhāvo buddhir yasya na lipyate
     hatvāpi sa imāl lokān na hanti na nibadhyate
 18 jñāna jñeya parijñātā trividhā karmacodanā
     karaa karma karteti trividha karmasagraha
 19 jñāna karma ca kartā ca tridhaiva guabhedata
     procyate guasakhyāne yathāvac chṛṇu tāny api
 20 sarvabhūteu yenaika bhāvam avyayam īkate
     avibhakta vibhakteu taj jñāna viddhi sāttvikam
 21 pthaktvena tu yaj jñāna nānābhāvān pthagvidhān
     vetti sarveu bhūteu taj jñāna viddhi rājasam
 22 yat tu ktsnavad ekasmin kārye saktam ahaitukam
     atattvārthavad alpa ca tat tāmasam udāhtam
 23 niyata sagarahitam arāgadveata ktam
     aphalaprepsunā karma yat tat sāttvikam ucyate
 24 yat tu kāmepsunā karma sāhakārea vā puna
     kriyate bahulāyāsa tad rājasam udāhtam
 25 anubandha kaya hisām anapekya ca pauruam
     mohād ārabhyate karma yat tat tāmasam ucyate
 26 muktasago 'nahavādī dhtyutsāhasamanvita
     siddhyasiddhyor nirvikāra kartā sāttvika ucyate
 27 rāgī karmaphalaprepsur lubdho hisātmako 'śuci
     haraśokānvita kartā rājasa parikīrtita
 28 ayukta prākta stabdha śaho naiktiko 'lasa
     viādī dīrghasūtrī ca kartā tāmasa ucyate
 29 buddher bheda dhteś caiva guatas trividha śṛṇu
     procyamānam aśeea pthaktvena dhanajaya
 30 pravtti ca nivtti ca kāryākārye bhayābhaye
     bandha moka ca yā vetti buddhi sā pārtha sāttvikī
 31 yayā dharmam adharma ca kārya cākāryam eva ca
     ayathāvat prajānāti buddhi sā pārtha rājasī
 32 adharma dharmam iti yā manyate tamasāv
     sarvārthān viparītāś ca buddhi sā pārtha tāmasī
 33 dhtyā yayā dhārayate manaprāendriyakriyā
     yogenāvyabhicāriyā dhti sā pārtha sāttvikī
 34 yayā tu dharmakāmārthān dhtyā dhārayate 'rjuna
     prasagena phalākākī dhti sā pārtha rājasī
 35 yayā svapna bhaya śoka viāda madam eva ca
     na vimuñcati durmedhā dhti sā pārtha tāmasī
 36 sukha tv idānī trividha śṛṇu me bharatarabha
     abhyāsād ramate yatra dukhānta ca nigacchati
 37 yat tadagre viam iva pariāme 'mtopamam
     tat sukha sāttvika proktam ātmabuddhiprasādajam
 38 viayendriyasayogād yat tadagre 'mtopamam
     pariāme viam iva tat sukha rājasa smtam
 39 yad agre cānubandhe ca sukha mohanam ātmana
     nidrālasyapramādottha tat tāmasam udāhtam
 40 na tad asti pthivyā vā divi deveu vā puna
     sattva praktijair mukta yad ebhi syāt tribhir guai
 41 brāhmaakatriyaviśā śūdrāā ca paratapa
     karmāi pravibhaktāni svabhāvaprabhavair guai
 42 śamo damas tapa śauca kāntir ārjavam eva ca
     jñāna vijñānam āstikya brahmakarma svabhāvajam
 43 śaurya tejo dhtir dākya yuddhe cāpy apalāyanam
     dānam īśvarabhāvaś ca kātra karma svabhāvajam
 44 kṛṣigorakyavāijya vaiśyakarma svabhāvajam
     paricaryātmaka karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāvajam
 45 sve sve karmay abhirata sasiddhi labhate nara
     svakarmanirata siddhi yathā vindati tac chṛṇu
 46 yata pravttir bhūtānā yena sarvam ida tatam
     svakarmaā tam abhyarcya siddhi vindati mānava
 47 śreyān svadharmo vigua paradharmāt svanuṣṭhitāt
     svabhāvaniyata karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiam
 48 sahaja karma kaunteya sadoam api na tyajet
     sarvārambhā hi doea dhūmenāgnir ivāv
 49 asaktabuddhi sarvatra jitātmā vigataspha
     naikarmyasiddhi paramā sanyāsenādhigacchati
 50 siddhi prāpto yathā brahma tathāpnoti nibodha me
     samāsenaiva kaunteya niṣṭhā jñānasya yā parā
 51 buddhyā viśuddhayā yukto dhtyātmāna niyamya ca
     śabdādīn viayās tyaktvā rāgadveau vyudasya ca
 52 viviktasevī laghvāśī yatavākkāyamānasa
     dhyānayogaparo nitya vairāgya samupāśrita
 53 ahakāra bala darpa kāma krodha parigraham
     vimucya nirmama śānto brahmabhūyāya kalpate
 54 brahmabhūta prasannātmā na śocati na kākati
     sama sarveu bhūteu madbhakti labhate parām
 55 bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvata
     tato mā tattvato jñātvā viśate tadanantaram
 56 sarvakarmāy api sadā kurvāo madvyapāśraya
     matprasādād avāpnoti śāśvata padam avyayam
 57 cetasā sarvakarmāi mayi sanyasya matpara
     buddhiyogam upāśritya maccitta satata bhava
 58 maccitta sarvadurgāi matprasādāt tariyasi
     atha cet tvam ahakārān na śroyasi vinakyasi
 59 yad ahakāram āśritya na yotsya iti manyase
     mithyaia vyavasāyas te praktis tvā niyokyati
 60 svabhāvajena kaunteya nibaddha svena karmaā
     kartu necchasi yan mohāt kariyasy avaśo 'pi tat
 61 īśvara sarvabhūtānā hddeśe 'rjuna tiṣṭhati
     bhrāmayan sarvabhūtāni yantrārūhāni māyayā
 62 tam eva śaraa gaccha sarvabhāvena bhārata
     tatprasādāt parā śānti sthāna prāpsyasi śāśvatam
 63 iti te jñānam ākhyāta guhyād guhyatara mayā
     vimśyaitad aśeea yathecchasi tathā kuru
 64 sarvaguhyatama bhūya śṛṇu me parama vaca
     iṣṭo 'si me dṛḍham iti tato vakyāmi te hitam
 65 manmanā bhava madbhakto madyājī mā namaskuru
     mām evaiyasi satya te pratijāne priyo 'si me
 66 sarvadharmān parityajya mām eka śaraa vraja
     aha tvā sarvapāpebhyo mokayiyāmi mā śuca
 67 ida te nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadā cana
     na cāśuśrūave vācya na ca mā yo 'bhyasūyati
 68 ya ida parama guhya madbhaktev abhidhāsyati
     bhakti mayi parā ktvā mām evaiyaty asaśaya
 69 na ca tasmān manuyeu kaś cin me priyakttama
     bhavitā na ca me tasmād anya priyataro bhuvi
 70 adhyeyate ca ya ima dharmya savādam āvayo
     jñānayajñena tenāham iṣṭa syām iti me mati
 71 śraddhāvān anasūyaś ca śṛṇuyād api yo nara
     so 'pi mukta śubhāl lokān prāpnuyāt puyakarmaām
 72 kac cid etac chruta pārtha tvayaikāgrea cetasā
     kac cid ajñānasamoha pranaṣṭas te dhanajaya
 73 arjuna uvāca
     naṣṭo moha smtir labdhā tvatprasādān mayācyuta
     sthito 'smi gatasadeha kariye vacana tava
 74 sajaya uvāca
     ity aha vāsudevasya pārthasya ca mahātmana
     savādam imam aśrauam adbhuta romaharaam
 75 vyāsaprasādāc chrutavān etad guhyam aha param
     yoga yogeśvarāt kṛṣṇāt sākāt kathayata svayam
 76 rājan sasmtya sasmtya savādam imam adbhutam
     keśavārjunayo puya hṛṣyāmi ca muhur muhu
 77 tac ca sasmtya sasmtya rūpam atyadbhuta hare
     vismayo me mahān rājan hṛṣyāmi ca puna puna
 78 yatra yogeśvara kṛṣṇo yatra pārtho dhanurdhara
     tatra śrīr vijayo bhūtir dhruvā nītir matir mama


SECTION XL
(Bhagavad Gita Chapter XVI)

"The Holy One said, 'Fearlessness, purity of heart, perseverance in (the pursuit of) knowledge and Yoga meditation, gifts, self-restraint, sacrifice, study of the Vedas, ascetic penances, uprightness, 4 abstention from injury, truth, freedom from anger, renunciation, tranquillity, freedom from reporting other's faults, compassion for all creatures, absence of covetousness, gentleness, modesty, absence of restlessness, vigour, forgiveness, firmness, cleanliness, absence of quarrelsomeness, freedom from vanity,--these become his, O Bharata, who is born to godlike possessions. Hypocrisy, pride, conceit, wrath, rudeness and ignorance, are, O son of Pritha, his who is born to demoniac possessions. God-like possessions are deemed to be for deliverance; the demoniac for bondage. Grieve not, O son of Pandu, for thou art born to god-like possessions. (There are) two kinds of created beings in this world, viz., the god-like and the demoniac. The god-like have been described at length. Hear now, from me, O son of Pritha, about the demoniac. Persons of demoniac nature know not inclination or disinclination. Neither purity, nor good
p. 91
conduct, nor truth exist in them. 1 They say that the universe is void of truth, of guiding principle, (and) of ruler; produced by the union of one another (male and female) from lust, and nothing else. Depending on this view, these men of lost selves, little intelligence, and fierce deeds, these enemies (of the world), are born for the destruction of the universe. 2 Cherishing desires that are insatiable, and endued with hypocrisy, conceit and folly, they adopt false notions through delusion and engage in unholy practices. Cherishing boundless thoughts limited by death (alone), and regarding the enjoyment of (their ) desires as the highest end, they are persuaded that that is all. Fettered by the hundred nooses of hope, addicted to lust and wrath, they covet to obtain this wealth to-day,--This I will obtain later,--This wealth I have,--This (wealth) will be mine in addition,--This foe hath been slain by me,--I will slay even others,--I am lord,--I am the enjoyer,--I am successful, powerful, happy,--I am rich and of noble birth,--Who else is there that is like me?--I will sacrifice,--I will make gifts,--I will be merry,--thus deluded by ignorance,--tossed about by numerous thoughts, enveloped in the meshes of delusion, attached to the enjoyment of objects of desire, they sink into foul hell. Self-conceited, stubborn, filled with the pride and intoxication of wealth, they perform sacrifices that are nominally so, with hypocrisy and against the (prescribed) ordinance. Wedded to vanity, power, pride, lust and wrath, these revilers hate Me in their own bodies and those of others. These haters (of Me), cruel, the vilest among men, and unholy, I hurl continually down into demoniac wombs. Coming into demoniac wombs, deluded birth after birth, they, O son of Kunti, without attaining to Me go down to the vilest state. Three-fold is the way to hell, ruinous to the self, viz., lust, wrath, likewise avarice. Therefore, these three, one should renounce. Freed from these three gates of darkness, a man, O son of Kunti, works out his own welfare, and then repairs to his highest goal. He who, abandoning the ordinances of the scriptures, acts only under the impulses of desire, never attains to perfection, nor happiness, nor the highest goal. Therefore, the scriptures should be thy authority in determining what should be done and what should not be done. It behoveth thee to do work here, having ascertained what hath been declared by the ordinances of the scriptures.'"






Book 6
Chapter 41





1 sajaya uvāca
      tato dhanajaya dṛṣṭvā bāagāṇḍīvadhāriam
      punar eva mahānāda vyasjanta mahārathā
  2ṇḍavā somakāś caiva ye caiām anuyāyina
      dadhmuś ca muditā śakhān vīrā sāgarasabhavān
  3 tato bheryaś ca peśyaś ca krakacā goviāikā
      sahasaivābhyahanyanta tata śabdo mahān abhūt
  4 atha devā sagandharvā pitaraś ca janeśvara
      siddhacāraasaghāś ca samīyus te didkayā
  5 ṛṣayaś ca mahābhāgā purasktya śatakratum
      samīyus tatra sahitā draṣṭu tad vaiśasa mahat
  6 tato yudhiṣṭhiro dṛṣṭvā yuddhāya susamudyate
      te sene sāgaraprakhye muhu pracalite npa
  7 vimucya kavaca vīro nikipya ca varāyudham
      avaruhya rathāt tūra padbhyām eva ktāñjali
  8 pitāmaham abhiprekya dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhira
      vāgyata prayayau yena prāmukho ripuvāhinīm
  9 ta prayāntam abhiprekya kuntīputro dhanajaya
      avatīrya rathāt tūra bhrātbhi sahito 'nvayāt
  10 vāsudevaś ca bhagavān pṛṣṭhato 'nujagāma ha
     yathāmukhyāś ca rājānas tam anvājagmur utsukā
 11 arjuna uvāca
     ki te vyavasita rājan yad asmān apahāya vai
     padbhyām eva prayāto 'si prāmukho ripuvāhinīm
 12 bhīmasena uvāca
     kva gamiyasi rājendra nikiptakavacāyudha
     daśitev arisainyeu bhrātn utsjya pārthiva
 13 nakula uvāca
     evagate tvayi jyeṣṭhe mama bhrātari bhārata
     bhīr me dunoti hdaya brūhi gantā bhavān kva nu
 14 sahadeva uvāca
     asmin raasamūhe vai vartamāne mahābhaye
     yoddhavye kva nu gantāsi śatrūn abhimukho npa
 15 sajaya uvāca
     evam ābhāyamāo 'pi bhrātbhi kurunandana
     novāca vāgyata ki cid gacchaty eva yudhiṣṭhira
 16 tān uvāca mahāprājño vāsudevo mahāmanā
     abhiprāyo 'sya vijñāto mayeti prahasann iva
 17 ea bhīma tathā droa gautama śalyam eva ca
     anumānya gurūn sarvān yotsyate pārthivo 'ribhi
 18 śrūyate hi purākalpe gurūn ananumānya ya
     yudhyate sa bhaved vyaktam apadhyāto mahattarai
 19 anumānya yathāśāstra yas tu yudhyen mahattarai
     dhruvas tasya jayo yuddhe bhaved iti matir mama
 20 eva bruvati kṛṣṇe tu dhārtarāṣṭracamū prati
     hāhākāro mahān āsīn niśabdās tv apare 'bhavan
 21 dṛṣṭvā yudhiṣṭhira dūrād dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainikā
     mitha sakathayā cakrur neśo 'sti kulapāsana
 22 vyakta bhīta ivābhyeti rājāsau bhīmam antikāt
     yudhiṣṭhira sasodarya śaraārtha prayācaka
 23 dhanajaye katha nāthe pāṇḍave ca vkodare
     nakule sahadeve ca bhīto 'bhyeti ca pāṇḍava
 24 na nūna katriyakule jāta saprathite bhuvi
     yathāsya hdaya bhītam alpasattvasya sayuge
 25 tatas te katriyā sarve praśasanti sma kauravān
     hṛṣṭā sumanaso bhūtvā cailāni dudhuvu pthak
 26 vyanindanta tata sarve yodhās tatra viśā pate
     yudhiṣṭhira sasodarya sahita keśavena ha
 27 tatas tat kaurava sainya dhikktvā tu yudhiṣṭhiram
     niśabdam abhavat tūra punar eva viśā pate
 28 ki nu vakyati rājāsau ki bhīma prativakyati
     ki bhīma samaraślāghī ki nu kṛṣṇārjunāv iti
 29 vivakita kim asyeti saśaya sumahān abhūt
     ubhayo senayo rājan yudhiṣṭhirakte tadā
 30 sa vigāhya camū śatro śaraśaktisamākulām
     bhīmam evābhyayāt tūra bhrātbhi parivārita
 31 tam uvāca tata pādau karābhyāya pāṇḍava
     bhīma śātanava rājā yuddhāya samupasthitam
 32 yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
     āmantraye tvā durdhara yotsye tāta tvayā saha
     anujānīhi mā tāta āśiaś ca prayojaya
 33 bhīma uvāca
     yady eva nābhigacchethā yudhi mā pthivīpate
     śapeya tvā mahārāja parābhāvāya bhārata
 34 prīto 'smi putra yudhyasva jayam āpnuhi pāṇḍava
     yat te 'bhilaita cānyat tad avāpnuhi sayuge
 35 vriyatā ca vara pārtha kim asmatto 'bhikākasi
     eva gate mahārāja na tavāsti parājaya
 36 arthasya puruo dāso dāsas tv artho na kasya cit
     iti satya mahārāja baddho 'smy arthena kauravai
 37 atas tvā klībavad vākya bravīmi kurunandana
     hto 'smy arthena kauravya yuddhād anyat kim icchasi
 38 yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
     mantrayasva mahāprājña hitaiī mama nityaśa
     yudhyasva kauravasyārthe mamaia satata vara
 39 bhīma uvāca
     rājan kim atra sāhya te karomi kurunandana
     kāma yotsye parasyārthe brūhi yat te vivakitam
 40 yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
     katha jayeya sagrāme bhavantam aparājitam
     etan me mantraya hita yadi śreya prapaśyasi
 41 bhīma uvāca
     na ta paśyāmi kaunteya yo mā yudhyantam āhave
     vijayeta pumān kaś cid api sākāc chatakratu
 42 yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
     hanta pcchāmi tasmāt tvā pitāmaha namo 'stu te
     jayopāya bravīhi tvam ātmana samare parai
 43 bhīma uvāca
     na śatru tāta paśyāmi samare yo jayeta mām
     na tāvan mtyukālo me punarāgamana kuru
 44 sajaya uvāca
     tato yudhiṣṭhiro vākya bhīmasya kurunandana
     śirasā pratijagrāha bhūyas tam abhivādya ca
 45 prāyāt punar mahābāhur ācāryasya ratha prati
     paśyatā sarvasainyānā madhyena bhrātbhi saha
 46 sa droam abhivādyātha ktvā caiva pradakiam
     uvāca vācā durdharam ātmaniśreyasa vaca
 47 āmantraye tvā bhagavan yotsye vigatakalmaa
     jayeya ca ripūn sarvān anujñātas tvayā dvija
 48 droa uvāca
     yadi mā nābhigacchethā yuddhāya ktaniścaya
     śapeya tvā mahārāja parābhāvāya sarvaśa
 49 tad yudhiṣṭhira tuṣṭo 'smi pūjitaś ca tvayānagha
     anujānāmi yudhyasva vijaya samavāpnuhi
 50 karavāi ca te kāma brūhi yat te 'bhikākitam
     eva gate mahārāja yuddhād anyat kim icchasi
 51 arthasya puruo dāso dāsas tv artho na kasya cit
     iti satya mahārāja baddho 'smy arthena kauravai
 52 atas tvā klībavad brūmo yuddhād anyat kim icchasi
     yotsyāmi kauravasyārthe tavāśāsyo jayo mayā
 53 yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
     jayam āśāssva me brahman mantrayasva ca maddhitam
     yudhyasva kauravasyārthe vara ea vto mayā
 54 droa uvāca
     dhruvas te vijayo rājan yasya mantrī haris tava
     aha ca tvābhijānāmi rae śatrūn vijeyasi
 55 yato dharmas tata kṛṣṇo yata kṛṣṇas tato jaya
     yudhyasva gaccha kaunteya pccha mā ki bravīmi te
 56 yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
     pcchāmi tvā dvijaśreṣṭha śṛṇu me yad vivakitam
     katha jayeya sagrāme bhavantam aparājitam
 57 droa uvāca
     na te 'sti vijayas tāvad yāvad yudhyāmy aha rae
     mamāśu nidhane rājan yatasva saha sodarai
 58 yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
     hanta tasmān mahābāho vadhopāya vadātmana
     ācārya praipatyaia pcchāmi tvā namo 'stu te
 59 droa uvāca
     na śatru tāta paśyāmi yo mā hanyād rae sthitam
     yudhyamāna susarabdha śaravaraughavariam
 60 te prāyagata rājan nyastaśastram acetanam
     hanyān mā yudhi yodhānā satyam etad bravīmi te
 61 śastra cāha rae jahyā śrutvā sumahad apriyam
     śraddheyavākyāt puruād etat satya bravīmi te
 62 sajaya uvāca
     etac chrutvā mahārāja bhāradvājasya dhīmata
     anumānya tam ācārya prāyāc chāradvata prati
 63 so 'bhivādya kpa rājā ktvā cāpi pradakiam
     uvāca durdharatama vākya vākyaviśārada
 64 anumānaye tvā yotsyāmi guro vigatakalmaa
     jayeya ca ripūn sarvān anujñātas tvayānagha
 65 kpa uvāca
     yadi mā nābhigacchethā yuddhāya ktaniścaya
     śapeya tvā mahārāja parābhāvāya sarvaśa
 66 arthasya puruo dāso dāsas tv artho na kasya cit
     iti satya mahārāja baddho 'smy arthena kauravai
 67 teām arthe mahārāja yoddhavyam iti me mati
     atas tvā klībavad brūmi yuddhād anyat kim icchasi
 68 yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
     hanta pcchāmi te tasmād ācārya śṛṇu me vaca
 69 sajaya uvāca
     ity uktvā vyathito rājā novāca gatacetana
     ta gautama pratyuvāca vijñāyāsya vivakitam
     avadhyo 'ha mahīpāla yudhyasva jayam āpnuhi
 70 prītas tv abhigamenāha jaya tava narādhipa
     āśāsiye sadotthāya satyam etad bravīmi te
 71 etac chrutvā mahārāja gautamasya vacas tadā
     anumānya kpa rājā prayayau yena madrarā
 72 sa śalyam abhivādyātha ktvā cābhipradakiam
     uvāca rājā durdharam ātmaniśreyasa vaca
 73 anumānaye tvā yotsyāmi guro vigatakalmaa
     jayeya ca mahārāja anujñātas tvayā ripūn
 74 śalya uvāca
     yadi mā nābhigacchethā yuddhāya ktaniścaya
     śapeya tvā mahārāja parābhāvāya vai rae
 75 tuṣṭo 'smi pūjitaś cāsmi yat kākasi tad astu te
     anujānāmi caiva tvā yudhyasva jayam āpnuhi
 76 brūhi caiva para vīra kenārtha ki dadāmi te
     eva gate mahārāja yuddhād anyat kim icchasi
 77 arthasya puruo dāso dāsas tv artho na kasya cit
     iti satya mahārāja baddho 'smy arthena kauravai
 78 kariyāmi hi te kāma bhāgineya yathepsitam
     bravīmy ata klībavat tvā yuddhād anyat kim icchasi
 79 yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
     mantrayasva mahārāja nitya maddhitam uttamam
     kāma yudhya parasyārthe varam etad vṛṇomy aham
 80 śalya uvāca
     brūhi kim atra sāhya te karomi npasattama
     kāma yotsye parasyārthe vto 'smy arthena kauravai
 81 yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
     sa eva me vara satya udyoge yas tvayā kta
     sūtaputrasya sagrāme kāryas tejovadhas tvayā
 82 śalya uvāca
     sapatsyaty ea te kāma kuntīputra yathepsita
     gaccha yudhyasva visrabdha pratijāne jaya tava
 83 sajaya uvāca
     anumānyātha kaunteyo mātula madrakeśvaram
     nirjagāma mahāsainyād bhrātbhi parivārita
 84 vāsudevas tu rādheyam āhave 'bhijagāma vai
     tata enam uvācedaṇḍavārthe gadāgraja
 85 śruta me kara bhīmasya dveāt kila na yotsyasi
     asmān varaya rādheya yāvad bhīmo na hanyate
 86 hate tu bhīme rādheya punar eyasi sayuge
     dhārtarāṣṭrasya sāhāyya yadi paśyasi cet samam
 87 kara uvāca
     na vipriya kariyāmi dhārtarāṣṭrasya keśava
     tyaktaprāa hi mā viddhi duryodhanahitaiiam
 88 sajaya uvāca
     tac chrutvā vacana kṛṣṇa sanyavartata bhārata
     yudhiṣṭhirapurogaiś ca pāṇḍavai saha sagata
 89 atha sainyasya madhye tu prākrośat pāṇḍavāgraja
     yo 'smān vṛṇoti tad aha varaye sāhyakāraāt
 90 atha tān samabhiprekya yuyutsur idam abravīt
     prītātmā dharmarājāna kuntīputra yudhiṣṭhiram
 91 aha yotsyāmi miata sayuge dhārtarāṣṭrajān
     yumad arthe mahārāja yadi mā vṛṇue 'nagha
 92 yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
     ehy ehi sarve yotsyāmas tava bhrātn apaṇḍitān
     yuyutso vāsudevaś ca vaya ca brūma sarvaśa
 93 vṛṇomi tvā mahābāho yudhyasva mama kāraāt
     tvayi piṇḍaś ca tantuś ca dhtarāṣṭrasya dśyate
 94 bhajasvāsmān rājaputra bhajamānān mahādyute
     na bhaviyati durbuddhir dhārtarāṣṭro 'tyamaraa
 95 sajaya uvāca
     tato yuyutsu kauravya parityajya sutās tava
     jagāma pāṇḍuputrāā senā viśrāvya dundubhim
 96 tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā saprahṛṣṭa sahānujai
     jagrāha kavaca bhūyo dīptimat kanakojjvalam
 97 pratyapadyanta te sarve rathān svān puruarabhā
     tato vyūha yathāpūrva pratyavyūhanta te puna
 98 avādayan dundubhīś ca śataśaś caiva pukarān
     sihanādāś ca vividhān vinedu puruarabhā
 99 rathasthān puruavyāghrān pāṇḍavān prekya pārthivā
     dhṛṣṭadyumnādaya sarve punar jahṛṣire mudā
 100 gauravaṇḍuputrāā mānyān mānayatā ca tān
    dṛṣṭvā mahīkitas tatra pūjayā cakrire bhśam
101 sauhda ca k caiva prāptakāla mahātmanām
    dayā ca jñātiu parā kathayā cakrire n
102 sādhu sādhv iti sarvatra niśceru stutisahitā
    vāca pu kīrtimatā manohdayahariī
103 mlecchāś cāryāś ca ye tatra dadśu śuśruvus tadā
    vtta tat pāṇḍuputrāā rurudus te sagadgadā
104 tato jaghnur mahābherī śataśaś caiva pukarān
    śakhāś ca gokīranibhān dadhmur hṛṣṭā manasvina





SECTION XLI
(Bhagavad Gita, Chapter XVII)

"Arjuna said, 'What is the state, O Krishna, of those who abandoning the ordinance of the scriptures, perform sacrifices endued with faith? It is one of Goodness, or Passion, or Darkness?'
"The Holy One said, 'The faith of embodied (creatures) is of three kinds. It is (also) born of their (individual) natures. It is good, passionate, and dark. Hear now these. The faith of one, O Bharata, is conformable to his own nature. A being here is full of faith; and whatever is one's faith, one is even that. They that are of the quality of goodness worship the gods; they that are of the quality of passion (worship) the Yakshas and the Rakshasas; other people that are of the quality of darkness worship departed spirits and hosts of Bhutas. Those people who practise severe ascetic austerities not ordained by the scriptures, are given up to hypocrisy and pride, and endued with desire of attachment, and violence,--those persons possessed of no discernment, torturing the groups of organs in (their) bodies and Me also seated within (those) bodies,--should be known to be of demoniac resolves. Food which is dear to all is of three kinds. Sacrifice, penance, and gifts are likewise (of three kinds). Listen to their distinctions as follows. Those kinds of food that increase life's period, energy, strength, health, well-being, and joy, which are savoury, oleaginous, nutritive, and agreeable, are liked by God. Those kinds of food which are bitter, sour, salted, over-hot, pungent, dry, and burning, and which produce pain, grief and disease, are desired by the passionate. The food which is cold, without savour, stinking and corrupt, and which is even refuse, and filthy, is dear to men of darkness. That sacrifice is good which, being prescribed by the ordinance, is performed by persons, without any longing for the fruit (thereof) and the mind being determined (to it under the belief) that its performance is a duty. But that which is performed in expectation of fruit and even for the sake of ostentation, know that sacrifice, O chief of the sons of Bharata, to be of the quality of passion. That sacrifice which is against the ordinance, in which no food is dealt out, which is devoid of mantras (sacred verse), in which no fees are paid to the brahmanas assisting to it, and which is void of faith, is said to be of the quality of darkness. Reverence to the gods, regenerate ones, preceptors, and men of knowledge, purity, uprightness, the practices of a Brahmacharin, and abstention from injury, are said to constitute the penance of the body. The speech which causeth no agitation, which is true, which is agreeable and beneficial, and the diligent study of the Vedas, are said to be the penance of speech. Serenity of the mind, gentleness, taciturnity, self-restraint, and purity of the disposition,--these are said to be the penance of the mind. This three-fold penance performed with perfect faith, by men without desire of fruit, and with devotion, is said to be of the quality of goodness. That penance which is performed for the sake of (gaining) respect, honour, and reverence, with hypocrisy,
p. 93
[paragraph continues] (and) which is unstable and transient is said to be of the quality of passion. That penance which is performed under a deluded conviction, with torture of one's self, and for the destruction of another, is said to be of the quality of darkness. That gift which is given because it ought to be given, to one who cannot return any service for it, in a proper time, and to a proper person, is said to be of the quality of goodness. That, however, which is given reluctantly, for return of services (past or expected), or even with an eye to fruit,--that gift is said to be of the quality of passion. In an unfit place and at an unfit time, the gift that is made to an unworthy object, without respect, and with contempt, is said to be of the quality of darkness. OM, TAT, SAT, this is said to be the three-fold designation of Brahma. By that (Brahma), the Brahmanas and the Vedas, and the Sacrifices, were ordained of old. Therefore, uttering the syllable OM, the sacrifices, gifts, and penances, prescribed by the ordinance, of all utterers of Brahma begin. Uttering TAT, the various rites of sacrifice, penance, and gifts, without expectation of fruit, are performed by those that are desirous of deliverance. SAT is employed to denote existence and goodness. Likewise, O son of Pritha, the word SAT is used in any auspicious act. Constancy in sacrifices, in penances and in gifts, is also called SAT, and an act, too, for the sake of That is called SAT. 1 Whatever oblation is offered (to the fire), whatever is given away, whatever penance is performed, whatever is done, without faith, is, O son of Pritha, said to be the opposite of SAT; and that is nought both here and hereafter. 2'



Book 6
Chapter 42





 1 [dh]
      eva vyūhev anīkeu māmakev itareu ca
      ke pūrva prāharas tatra kuravaṇḍavās tathā
  2 [s]
      bhrātbhi sahito rājan putro duryodhanas tava
      bhīma pramukhata ktvā prayayau saha senayā
  3 tathaiva pāṇḍavā sarve bhīmasenapurogamā
      bhīmea yuddham icchanta prayayur hṛṣṭamānasā
  4 kveā kila kilā śabda krakacā goviāikā
      bherīmdagamurajā hayakuñjaranisvanā
  5 ubhayo senayo rājas tatas te 'smān samadravan
      vaya pratinadantaś ca tadāsīt tumula mahat
  6 mahānty anīkāni mahāsamucchraye; samāgame pāṇḍava dhārtarāṣṭrayo
      cakampire śakhamdaga nisvanai; prakampitānīva vanāni vāyunā
  7 narendra nāgāśvarathākulānām; abhyāyatīnām aśive muhūrte
      babhūva ghoas tumulaś camūnā; vātoddhutānām iva sāgarāām
  8 tasmin samutthite śabde tumule lomaharae
      bhīmaseno mahābāhu prāadad govṛṣo yathā
  9 śakhadundubhinirghoa vāraānā ca bṛṃhitam
      sihanāda ca sainyānā bhīmasenaravo 'bhyabhūt
  10 hayānā heamāānām anīkeu sahasraśa
     sarvān abhyabhavac chabdān bhīmasenasya nisvana
 11 ta śrutvā ninada tasya sainyās tava vitatrasu
     jīmūtasyeva nadata śakrāśanisamasvanam
 12 vāhanāni ca sarvāi śakn mūtra prasusruvu
     śabdena tasya vīrasya sihasyevetare m
 13 darśayan ghoram ātmāna mahābhram iva nārayan
     vibhīayas tava sutās tava senā samabhyayāt
 14 tam āyānta mahevāsa sodaryā paryavārayan
     chādayanta śaravrātair meghā iva divākaram
 15 duryodhanaś ca putras te durmukho dusaha śala
     duśāsanaś cātirathas tathā durmarao npa
 16 viviśatiś citraseno vikaraś ca mahāratha
     purumitro jayo bhoja saumadattiś ca vīryavān
 17 mahācāpāni dhunvanto jaladā iva vidyuta
     ādadānāś ca nārācān nirmuktāśīviopamān
 18 atha tān draupadīputrā saubhadraś ca mahāratha
     nakula sahadevaś ca dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pārata
 19 dhārtarāṣṭrān pratiyayur ardayanta śitai śarai
     vajrair iva mahāvegai śikharāi dharābhtām
 20 tasmin prathamasamarde bhīma jyātalanisvane
     tāvakānā pareā ca nāsīt kaś cit parāmukha
 21 lāghava droaśiām apaśya bharatarabha
     nimittavedhinā rājañ śarān utsjatā bhśam
 22 nopaśāmyati nirghoo dhanuā kūjatā tathā
     viniśceru śarā dīptā jyotīṃṣīva nabhastalāt
 23 sarve tv anye mahīpālā prekakā iva bhārata
     dadśur darśanīya ta bhīma jñātisamāgamam
 24 tatas te jātasarambhā parasparaktāgasa
     anyonyaspardhayā rājan vyāyacchanta mahārathā
 25 kurupāṇḍavasene te hastyaśvarathasakule
     śuśubhāte rae 'tīva pae citragate iva
 26 tatas te pārthivā sarve praghītaśarāsanā
     saha sainyā samāpetu putrasya tava śāsanāt
 27 yudhiṣṭhirea cādiṣṭā pārthivās te sahasraśa
     vinadanta samāpetu putrasya tava vāhinīm
 28 ubhayo senayos tīvra sainyānā sa samāgama
     antar dhīyata cāditya sainyena rajasāvta
 29 prayuddhānā prabhagnānā punarāvartatām api
     nātra sveā pareā vā viśea samajāyata
 30 tasmis tu tumule yuddhe vartamāne mahābhaye
     ati sarvāy anīkāni pitā te 'bhivyarocata




SECTION XLII
(Bhagavad Gita, Chapter XVIII)

"Arjuna said, 'Of renunciation, O thou of mighty arms, I desire to know the true nature, and also of abandonment, O lord of the senses distinctly, O slayer of Kesi.' 3
"The Holy One said, 'The rejection of the works with desire is known by the learned as renunciation. The abandonment of the fruit of all work, the discerning call abandonment. Some wise men say that work (itself)
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should be abandoned as evil; others (say) that the works of sacrifice, gifts, and penance, should not be abandoned. As to that abandonment, listen to my decision, O best of the sons of Bharata, for abandonment, O tiger among men, hath been declared to be of three kinds. The works of sacrifice, gifts, and penance should not be abandoned. They should, indeed, be done. Sacrifice, gift, and penance, are the purifications of the wise. But even those works should be done, abandoning attachment and fruit. This, O son of Pritha, is my excellent and decided opinion. The renunciation of an act prescribed (in the scriptures) is not proper. Its abandonment (is) from delusion, (and) is (therefore,) declared to be of the quality of darkness. 1 (Regarding it) as (a source of) sorrow, when work is abandoned from (fear of) bodily pain, one making such an abandonment which is of the quality of passion never obtaineth the fruit of abandonment. (Regarding it) as one that should be done, when 2 work that is prescribed (in the scriptures) is done, O Arjuna, abandoning attachment and fruit also, that abandonment is deemed to be of the quality of goodness. Possessed of intelligence and with doubts dispelled, an abandoner that is endowed with the quality of goodness hath no aversion for an unpleasant action and no attachment to pleasant (ones). 3 Since actions cannot be absolutely abandoned by an embodied person, (therefore) he who abandons the fruit of actions is truly said to be an abandoner. Evil, good and mixed-action hath (this) three-fold fruit hereafter for those that do not abandon. But there is none whatever for the renouncer. 4 Listen from me, O thou of mighty arms, to those five causes for the completion of all actions, declared in the Sankhya treating of the annihilation of actions. 5 (They are) substratum, agent, the diverse kinds of organs, the diverse efforts severally, and with them the deities as the fifth. 6 With body, speech, or mind, whatever work, just or the reverse, a man undertakes, these five are its causes. That being so, he that, owing to an unrefined understanding, beholdeth his own self as solely the agent, he, dull in mind,
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beholdeth not. He that hath no feeling of egoism, whose mind is not sullied, he, even killing all these people, killeth not, nor is fettered (by action). 1--Knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the knower, form the three-fold impulse of action. Instrument, action, and the agent, form the three-fold complement of action. 2 Knowledge, action, and agent, are declared in the enumeration of qualities to be three-fold, according to the difference of qualities. Listen to those also duly. 3 That by which One Eternal Essence is viewed in all things, undivided in the divided, know that to be knowledge having the quality of goodness. That knowledge which discerneth all things as diverse essences of different kinds in consequence of their separateness, know that that knowledge hath the quality of passion. But that which is attached to (each) single object as if it were the whole, which is without reason, without truth, and mean, that knowledge hath been said to be of the quality of darkness. The action which is prescribed (by the scriptures), (done) without attachment, performed without desires and aversion, by one who longeth not for (its) fruit, is said to be of the quality of goodness. But that action which is done by one seeking objects of desire, or by one filled with egoism, and which is attended with great trouble, is said to be of the quality of passion. That action which is undertaken from delusion, without regard to consequences, loss, injury (to others), and (one's own) power also, is said to be of the quality of passion. The agent who is free from attachment, who never speaketh of himself, who is endued with constancy and energy, and is unmoved by success and defeat, is said to be of the quality of goodness. The agent who is full of affections, who wisheth for the fruit of actions, who is covetous, endued with cruelty, and impure, and who feeleth joy and sorrow, is declared to be of the quality of passion. 4 The agent who is void of application, without discernment, obstinate, deceitful, malicious, slothful, desponding, and procrastinating, is said to be of the quality of darkness. 5 Hear now, O Dhananjaya, the three-fold division of intellect and constancy, according to their qualities, which I am about to declare exhaustively and distinctly. The intellect which knoweth action and inaction, what ought to be done and what ought not to be done, fear and fearlessness, bondage and deliverance, is, O son of Pritha, of the quality of goodness. The intellect by which one imperfectly discerneth right and wrong, that which ought to be done and that which ought not to be done, is, O son of Pritha, of the quality of passion. That intellect which, shrouded by darkness, regardeth wrong to be right, and all things as reversed,
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is, O son of Pritha, of the quality of darkness. That unswerving constancy by which one controls the functions of the mind, the life-breaths, and the senses, through devotion, that constancy, is, O son of Pritha, of the quality of goodness. 1 But that constancy, O Arjuna, by which one holds to religion, desire, and profit, through attachment, desiring fruit, that constancy, O son of Pritha, is of the quality of passion. That through which an undiscerning person abandons not sleep, fear, sorrow, despondency, and folly, that constancy is deemed to be of the quality of darkness. Hear now from me, O bull of Bharata's race, of the three kinds of happiness. That in which one findeth pleasure from repetition (of enjoyment), which bringeth an end to pain, which is like poison first but resembleth nectar in the end, that happiness born of the serenity produced by a knowledge of self, is said to be of the quality of goodness. 2 That which is from the contact of the senses with their objects which resembleth nectar first but is like poison in the end, that happiness is held to be of the quality of passion. That happiness which in the beginning and its consequences deludeth the soul, and springeth from sleep, indolence, and stupidity, that is described to be of the quality of darkness. There is not, either on earth or heaven among the gods, the entity that is free from these three qualities born of nature. The duties of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and Vaisyas, and of Sudras also, O chastiser of foes, are distinguished by (these three) qualities born of nature. Tranquillity, self-restraint, ascetic austerities, purity, forgiveness, rectitude, knowledge, experience, and belief (in an existence hereafter),--these are the duties of Brahmanas, born of (their proper) nature. Bravery, energy, firmness, skill, not flying away from battle, liberality, the bearing of a ruler,--these are the duties of Kshatriyas, born of (their proper) nature. Agriculture, tending of cattle, and trade, are the natural duties of Vaisyas. Of Sudras also, the natural duty consists in servitude. Every man, engaged in his own duties, attains to perfection. Hear now how one obtains perfection by application to his duties. Him from whom are the movements of all beings, Him by whom all this is pervaded, worshipping him by (the performance of) one's own duty, one obtaineth perfection. Better is one's own duty though performed faultily than another's duty well-performed. Performing the duty prescribed by (one's own) nature, one incurreth no sin. One must not abandon, O son of Kunti, one's natural duty though tainted with evil, for all actions are enveloped by evil like fire by smoke. He whose mind is unattached everywhere, who hath subdued his self, and whose desire hath departed, obtaineth, through renunciation, the supreme perfection of freedom from work. Learn from me, only in brief, O son of Kunti, how one, having obtained (this kind of) perfection, attaineth to Brahma which is the supreme end of knowledge. Endued with
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a pure mind, and restraining his self by constancy, renouncing sound and other objects of sense, and casting off affection and aversion, he who resideth in a lonely place, eateth little, and restraineth speech, body, and mind, who is ever intent on meditation and abstraction, who hath recourse to indifference, who, abandoning egoism, violence, pride, lust, wrath, and (all) surroundings, hath been freed from selfishness and is tranquil (in mind), becometh fit for assimilation with Brahma. Becoming one with Brahma, tranquil in spirit, (such a) one grieveth not, desireth not; alike to all beings, he obtaineth the highest devotion to Me. By (that) devotion he truly understandeth Me. What I am, and who I am; then understanding Me truly, he entereth into Me forthwith. Even performing all actions at all times having refuge in Me, he obtaineth, through my favour, the seat that is eternal and imperishable. Dedicating in thy heart all actions to Me, being devoted to Me, resorting to mental abstraction, fix thy thoughts constantly on Me. Fixing thy thoughts on Me, thou wilt surmount all difficulties through my grace. But if from self-conceit thou wilt not listen, thou wilt (then) utterly perish. If, having recourse to self-conceit, thou thinkest--I will not fight,--that resolution of thine would be vain, (for) Nature will constrain thee. That which, from delusion, thou dost not wish to do, thou wilt do involuntarily, bound by thy own duty springing from (thy own) nature. The Lord, O Arjuna, dwelleth in the region of the heart of beings, turning all beings as if mounted on a machine, by his illusive power. Seek shelter with Him in every way, O Bharata. Through his grace thou wilt obtain supreme tranquillity, the eternal seat. Thus hath been declared to thee by Me the knowledge that is more mysterious than any (other) matter. Reflecting on it fully, act as thou likest. Once more, listen to my supernal words, the most mysterious of all. Exceedingly dear art thou to Me, therefore, I will declare what is for thy benefit. Set thy heart on Me, become My devotee, sacrifice to Me, bow down to Me. Then shalt thou come to Me. I declare to thee truly, (for) thou art dear to Me. Forsaking all (religious) duties, come to Me as thy sole refuge. I will deliver thee from all sins. Do not grieve. This is not to be ever declared by thee to one who practiseth no austerities, to one who is not a devotee, to one who never waiteth on a preceptor, nor yet to one who calumniateth Me. He who shall inculcate this supreme mystery to those that are devoted to Me, offering Me the highest devotion, will come to Me, freed from (all his) doubts. 1 Amongst men there is none who can do Me a dearer service than he, nor shall any other on earth be dearer to Me than he. And he who will study this holy converse between us, by him will have been offered to Me the sacrifice of knowledge. Such is my opinion. Even the man who, with faith and without cavil, will hear it (read), even he freed (from re-birth), will obtain of the blessed regions of
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those that perform pious acts. Hath this, O son of Pritha, been heard by thee with mind undirected to any other objects? Hath thy delusion, (caused) by ignorance, been destroyed, O Dhananjaya?'
"Arjuna said, 'My delusion hath been destroyed, and the recollection (of what I am) hath been gained by me, O Undeteriorating one, through thy favour. I am now firm. My doubts have been dispelled. I will do thy bidding.'"
Sanjaya continued, "Thus I heard this converse between Vasudeva and the high-souled son of Pritha, (that is) wonderful and causeth the hair to stand on end. Through Vyasa's favour heard I this supreme mystery, this (doctrine of) Yoga, from Krishna himself, the Lord of Yoga, who declared it in person. O King recollecting and (again) recollecting this wonderful (and) holy converse of Kesava and Arjuna, I rejoice over and over again. Recollecting again and again that wonderful form also of Hari, great is my amazement, O king, and I rejoice ever more. Thither where Krishna, the Lord of Yoga (is), thither where the great bowman (Partha) is, thither, in my opinion, are prosperity, and victory, and greatness, and eternal justice 1'"
End of the Bhagavad Gita





(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of Sreeman Brahmasri K M Ganguliji for the collection)




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