Parashara's Teaching on Liberation for the Four Classes

Verse 1 (13.152.1)

एवं स भिक्षुर्निर्वाणं प्राप्नुयाद्दग्धकिल्बिषः । इहस्थो देहमुत्सृज्य नीडं शकुनिवद्यथा ॥

evaṃ sa bhikṣurnirvāṇaṃ prāpnuyāddagdhakilbiṣaḥ | ihastho dehamutsṛjya nīḍaṃ śakunivadyathā

So the mendicant, his sins burned away, attains nirvana, casting off his body here as a bird leaves its nest.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0430-0431 (printed after 13.98.22d). Removed the speaker heading "`पराशर उवाच" (with a stray backtick) that had slipped into the verse text; it is made the speaker.

Verse 2 (13.152.2)

सत्पथालम्बनादेव शूद्रः प्राप्नोति सद्गतिम् । ब्रह्मणः स्थानमचलं स्थानात्स्थानमवाप्नुयात् ॥

satpathālambanādeva śūdraḥ prāpnoti sadgatim | brahmaṇaḥ sthānamacalaṃ sthānātsthānamavāpnuyāt

By keeping to the path of the good, even a Shudra reaches a good end: the unshaken station of Brahma, going on from one station to the next.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0432-0433 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 3 (13.152.3)

यथा खनन्खनित्रेण जाङ्गले वारि विन्दति । अनिर्वेदात्ततः स्थानमीप्सितं प्रतिपद्यते ॥

yathā khanankhanitreṇa jāṅgale vāri vindati | anirvedāttataḥ sthānamīpsitaṃ pratipadyate

As a man digging with a spade finds water even in a dry country, so one who does not lose heart reaches the state he seeks.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0434-0435 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 4 (13.152.4)

सैषा गतिरनाद्यन्ता सर्वैरप्युपधारिता । तस्माच्छूद्रैरनिर्वेदाच्छ्रद्दधानैस्तु नित्यदा । वर्तितव्यं यथाशक्त्या यथा प्रोक्तं मनीषिभिः ॥

saiṣā gatiranādyantā sarvairapyupadhāritā | tasmācchūdrairanirvedācchraddadhānaistu nityadā | vartitavyaṃ yathāśaktyā yathā proktaṃ manīṣibhiḥ

This is the course without beginning or end, acknowledged by all. Therefore Shudras, with faith and without despair, should always live as far as their strength allows, as the wise have said.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0436-0438 (printed after 13.98.22d). The page ends this three-line verse (13-152-4a-c) with a single danda; it is kept as one verse ending in ॥.

Verse 5 (13.152.5)

यत्करोति तदश्नाति शुभं वा यदि वाऽशुभम् । नाकृतं भुज्यते कर्म न कृतं नश्यते फलम् ॥

yatkaroti tadaśnāti śubhaṃ vā yadi vā'śubham | nākṛtaṃ bhujyate karma na kṛtaṃ naśyate phalam

Whatever one does, good or evil, that he eats the fruit of; deed not done is not enjoyed, and deed done does not lose its fruit.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0439-0440 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 6 (13.152.6)

तथा शुभसमाचारः शुभमेवाप्नुते फलम् । तथाऽशुभसमाचारो ह्यशुभं समवाप्नुते । शुभान्येव समादद्याद्य इच्छेद्भूतिमात्मनः ॥

tathā śubhasamācāraḥ śubhamevāpnute phalam | tathā'śubhasamācāro hyaśubhaṃ samavāpnute | śubhānyeva samādadyādya icchedbhūtimātmanaḥ

So one of good conduct obtains only good fruit, and one of evil conduct obtains evil. Let him who wishes his own prosperity take up only what is good.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0441-0444 (printed after 13.98.22d). The CE has one line more here (13,098.022d@010_0443: tathā śubhasamācāro hy aśubhāni vivarjayet), between the page's second and third lines; the page (vulgate) lacks it, so it is not added.

Verse 7 (13.152.7)

भूतिश्च नान्यतः शक्या शूद्राणामिति निश्चयः । ऋते यतीनां शुश्रूषामिति सन्तो व्यवस्थिताः ॥

bhūtiśca nānyataḥ śakyā śūdrāṇāmiti niścayaḥ | ṛte yatīnāṃ śuśrūṣāmiti santo vyavasthitāḥ

And Shudras, it is certain, can find prosperity from no source other than the service of ascetics; so the good have settled it.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0445-0446 (printed after 13.98.22d). Corrected शक्त्या → शक्या (misprint in Wikisource; "शक्त्या" (by power) does not construct with "नान्यतः"; the sense is "prosperity is not possible otherwise", CE śakyā). Corrected क्रते → ऋते (misprint in Wikisource; ऋ misprinted as क्र; CE ṛte).

Verse 8 (13.152.8)

तस्मादागमसम्पन्नो भवेत्सुनियतेन्द्रियः । शक्यते ह्यागमादेव गतिं प्राप्तुमनामयाम् ॥

tasmādāgamasampanno bhavetsuniyatendriyaḥ | śakyate hyāgamādeva gatiṃ prāptumanāmayām

Therefore let him be rich in scriptural tradition and keep his senses well restrained; for through tradition alone can a blameless state be reached.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0447-0448 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 9 (13.152.9)

वरा चैषा गतिर्दृष्टा यामन्वेषन्ति साधवः । यत्रामृतत्वं लभते त्यक्त्वा दुःखमनन्तरम् ॥

varā caiṣā gatirdṛṣṭā yāmanveṣanti sādhavaḥ | yatrāmṛtatvaṃ labhate tyaktvā duḥkhamanantaram

This is seen to be the best course, which the good seek, in which one gains immortality, leaving behind sorrow that ever follows.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0449-0450 (printed after 13.98.22d). Corrected यामन्वेपन्ति → यामन्वेषन्ति (misprint in Wikisource; ष misprinted as प; CE anveṣanti). Readings kept: वरा (CE parā) and दुःखमनन्तरम् (CE duḥkham anantakam), recension variants.

Verse 10 (13.152.10)

इमं हि धर्ममास्थाय येऽपि स्युः पापयोनयः । स्त्रियो वैश्याश्च शूद्राश्च प्राप्नुयुः परमां गतिम् । किं पुनर्ब्राह्मणो विद्वान्क्षत्रियो वा बहुश्रुतः ॥

imaṃ hi dharmamāsthāya ye'pi syuḥ pāpayonayaḥ | striyo vaiśyāśca śūdrāśca prāpnuyuḥ paramāṃ gatim | kiṃ punarbrāhmaṇo vidvānkṣatriyo vā bahuśrutaḥ

Taking refuge in this dharma, even those of sinful birth — women, Vaishyas and Shudras — may reach the highest goal; how much more a learned Brahmin or a much-learned Kshatriya.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0451-0453 (printed after 13.98.22d). Corrected धर्मिमास्थाय → धर्ममास्थाय (misprint in Wikisource; stray vowel sign; CE dharmam āsthāya).

Verse 11 (13.152.11)

न चाप्यक्षीणपापस्य ज्ञानं भवति देहिनः । ज्ञानोपलब्धिर्भवति कृतकृत्यो यदा भवेत् ॥

na cāpyakṣīṇapāpasya jñānaṃ bhavati dehinaḥ | jñānopalabdhirbhavati kṛtakṛtyo yadā bhavet

Knowledge does not arise in an embodied being whose sins are not exhausted; it is gained only when he has done what was to be done.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0454-0455 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 12 (13.152.12)

उपलभ्य तु विज्ञानं ज्ञानं वाऽप्यनसूयकः । तथैव वर्तेद्गुरुषु भूयांसं वा समाहितः ॥

upalabhya tu vijñānaṃ jñānaṃ vā'pyanasūyakaḥ | tathaiva vartedguruṣu bhūyāṃsaṃ vā samāhitaḥ

Having gained understanding, or knowledge, let him be free of envy, and behave toward his teachers just so, or even more, with composed mind.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0456-0457 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 13 (13.152.13)

अथावमन्येत गुरुं तथा तेषु प्रवर्तते । व्यर्थमस्य श्रुतं भवति ज्ञानमज्ञानतां व्रजेत् ॥

athāvamanyeta guruṃ tathā teṣu pravartate | vyarthamasya śrutaṃ bhavati jñānamajñānatāṃ vrajet

But if he despises his teacher and acts so toward them, his learning becomes vain and his knowledge turns to ignorance.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0458-0459 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 14 (13.152.14)

गतिं चाप्यशुभां गच्छेन्निरयाय न संशयः । प्रक्षीयते तस्य पुण्यं ज्ञानमस्य विरुध्यते ॥

gatiṃ cāpyaśubhāṃ gacchennirayāya na saṃśayaḥ | prakṣīyate tasya puṇyaṃ jñānamasya virudhyate

He goes also to an evil end, to hell, without doubt; his merit is wasted away and his knowledge is turned against him.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0460-0461 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 15 (13.152.15)

अदृष्टपूर्वकल्याणो यथा दृष्ट्वा विधिं नरः । उत्सेकान्मोहमापद्य तत्वज्ञानमवाप्तवान् ॥

adṛṣṭapūrvakalyāṇo yathā dṛṣṭvā vidhiṃ naraḥ | utsekānmohamāpadya tatvajñānamavāptavān

A man to whom no good fortune had ever come before, on seeing the ordained rule falls through pride into confusion, even after he has gained knowledge of the truth.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0462-0463 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 16 (13.152.16)

एवमेव हि नोत्सेकः कर्तव्यो ज्ञानसम्भवः । फलं ज्ञानस्य हि शमः प्रशमाय यतेत्सदा ॥

evameva hi notsekaḥ kartavyo jñānasambhavaḥ | phalaṃ jñānasya hi śamaḥ praśamāya yatetsadā

In just this way, no pride should be shown by one in whom knowledge has arisen; the fruit of knowledge is tranquillity, so let him ever strive for peace.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0464-0465 (printed after 13.98.22d). Corrected एवमेवि → एवमेव (misprint in Wikisource; stray vowel sign; CE evam eva). Corrected प्रशामाय → प्रशमाय (misprint in Wikisource; wrong vowel length; CE praśamāya).

Verse 17 (13.152.17)

उपशान्तेन दान्तेन क्षमायुक्तेन सर्वदा । शुश्रूषा प्रतिपत्तव्या नित्यमेवानसूयता ॥

upaśāntena dāntena kṣamāyuktena sarvadā | śuśrūṣā pratipattavyā nityamevānasūyatā

With a tranquil mind, self-controlled and ever endowed with forbearance, he should practise service always, without envy.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0466-0467 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 18 (13.152.18)

धृत्या शिश्नोदरं रक्षेत्पाणिपादं च चक्षुषा । इन्द्रियार्थांश्च मनसा मनो बुद्धौ समादधेत् ॥

dhṛtyā śiśnodaraṃ rakṣetpāṇipādaṃ ca cakṣuṣā | indriyārthāṃśca manasā mano buddhau samādadhet

With steadiness let him guard the belly and the organ of generation, the hands and feet by sight, the objects of the senses by the mind, and let him settle the mind in the intellect.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0468-0469 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 19 (13.152.19)

धृत्याऽऽसीत ततो गत्वा शुद्धदेशं सुसंवृतम् । लब्धासनं यथा दृष्टं विधिपूर्वं समाचरेत् ॥

dhṛtyā''sīta tato gatvā śuddhadeśaṃ susaṃvṛtam | labdhāsanaṃ yathā dṛṣṭaṃ vidhipūrvaṃ samācaret

With steadiness let him go to a clean, well-sheltered place and sit down; having taken his seat as it was shown, let him practise according to rule.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0470-0471 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 20 (13.152.20)

ज्ञानयुक्तस्तथा देवं हृदिस्थमुपलक्षयेत् । आदीप्यमानं वपुषा विधूममनलं यथा ॥

jñānayuktastathā devaṃ hṛdisthamupalakṣayet | ādīpyamānaṃ vapuṣā vidhūmamanalaṃ yathā

Endowed with knowledge, let him perceive the God who dwells in the heart, blazing in His body like a smokeless fire,

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0472-0473 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 21 (13.152.21)

रश्मिमन्तमिवादित्यं वैद्युताग्निमिवाम्बरे । संस्थितं हृदये पश्येदीशं शाश्वतमव्ययम् ॥

raśmimantamivādityaṃ vaidyutāgnimivāmbare | saṃsthitaṃ hṛdaye paśyedīśaṃ śāśvatamavyayam

like the sun with its rays, like the fire of lightning in the sky. Let him see the eternal, undying Lord established in the heart.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0474-0475 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 22 (13.152.22)

न चायुक्तेन शक्येत द्रष्टुं देहे महेश्वरः । युक्तस्तु पश्यते बुद्ध्या सन्निवेश्य मनो हृदि ॥

na cāyuktena śakyeta draṣṭuṃ dehe maheśvaraḥ | yuktastu paśyate buddhyā sanniveśya mano hṛdi

The Great Lord cannot be seen in the body by one who is not disciplined; the disciplined man sees Him by the intellect, having placed the mind in the heart.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0476-0477 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 23 (13.152.23)

अथ त्वेवं न शक्नोति कर्तुं हृदयधारणम् । यथासांख्यमुपासीत यथावद्योगमास्थितः ॥

atha tvevaṃ na śaknoti kartuṃ hṛdayadhāraṇam | yathāsāṃkhyamupāsīta yathāvadyogamāsthitaḥ

But if he cannot make the heart his place of concentration, let him, established in yoga, meditate according to the Sankhya, as is proper.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0478-0479 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 24 (13.152.24)

पञ्च बुद्धीन्द्रियाणीह पञ्च कर्मेन्द्रियाणि वै । पञ्च भूतविशेषाश्च मनश्चैव तु षोडश ॥

pañca buddhīndriyāṇīha pañca karmendriyāṇi vai | pañca bhūtaviśeṣāśca manaścaiva tu ṣoḍaśa

The five organs of knowledge, the five organs of action, the five special elements, and the mind: these make sixteen.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0480-0481 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 25 (13.152.25)

तन्मात्राण्यपि पञ्चैव मनोऽहङ्कार एव च । अष्टमं चाप्यथाव्यक्तमेताः प्रकृतिसंज्ञिताः । एताः प्रकृतयश्चाष्टौ विकाराश्चापि षोडश ॥

tanmātrāṇyapi pañcaiva mano'haṅkāra eva ca | aṣṭamaṃ cāpyathāvyaktametāḥ prakṛtisaṃjñitāḥ | etāḥ prakṛtayaścāṣṭau vikārāścāpi ṣoḍaśa

The five subtle elements, the mind and the ego, and as the eighth the Unmanifest: these are called the Prakritis. These are the eight Prakritis, and the transformations are sixteen.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0482-0484 (printed after 13.98.22d). Corrected तन्मात्राण्यपबि → तन्मात्राण्यपि (misprint in Wikisource; stray ब; CE tanmātrāṇy api).

Verse 26 (13.152.26)

एवमेतदिहस्थेन विज्ञेयं तत्वबुद्धिना । एवं वर्ष्म समुत्तीर्य तीर्णो भवति नान्यथा ॥

evametadihasthena vijñeyaṃ tatvabuddhinā | evaṃ varṣma samuttīrya tīrṇo bhavati nānyathā

This is to be understood here, in the body, by one who has the intellect of truth. So, having crossed over the body, he is crossed over, and not otherwise.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0485-0486 (printed after 13.98.22d). Reading kept: वर्ष्म "body" (CE varṣaṃ), a recension variant that is good Sanskrit.

Verse 27 (13.152.27)

परिसंख्यानमेवैतन्मन्तव्यं ज्ञानबुद्धिना ॥

parisaṃkhyānamevaitanmantavyaṃ jñānabuddhinā

This enumeration is to be pondered by one whose mind is knowledge.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, line 13,098.022d@010_0487 (printed after 13.98.22d). A one-line verse on the page (13-152-27a); in the CE it is the single line @010_0487.

Verse 28 (13.152.28)

अहन्यहनि शान्तात्मा पावनाय हिताय च । एवमेव प्रसंख्याय तत्वबुद्धिर्विमुच्यते । निष्कलं केवलं भवति शुद्धतत्वार्थतत्ववित् ॥

ahanyahani śāntātmā pāvanāya hitāya ca | evameva prasaṃkhyāya tatvabuddhirvimucyate | niṣkalaṃ kevalaṃ bhavati śuddhatatvārthatatvavit

Day after day, with tranquil self, for his purification and his good, reckoning thus, the man of true insight is liberated. The knower of the pure principles and their meaning becomes whole and alone, without parts.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0488-0490 (printed after 13.98.22d). Corrected निष्पलं → निष्कलं (misprint in Wikisource; not a word in context (the sense is "without parts"); CE niṣkalaṃ).

Verse 29 (13.152.29)

भिक्षुकाश्रममास्थाय शुश्रूषानिरतो बुधः । शूद्रो निर्मुच्यते सत्वसंसर्गादेव नान्यथा ॥

bhikṣukāśramamāsthāya śuśrūṣānirato budhaḥ | śūdro nirmucyate satvasaṃsargādeva nānyathā

Taking up the mendicant's order, intent on service, the wise Shudra is freed through contact with goodness alone, and not otherwise.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0491-0492 (printed after 13.98.22d).

Verse 30 (13.152.30)

सत्संनिकर्षे परिवर्तितव्यं । विद्याधिकाश्चापि निषेवितव्याः । सवर्णतां गच्छति सन्निकर्षान् । नीलः खगो मेरुमिवाश्रयन्वै ॥

satsaṃnikarṣe parivartitavyaṃ | vidyādhikāścāpi niṣevitavyāḥ | savarṇatāṃ gacchati sannikarṣān | nīlaḥ khago merumivāśrayanvai

One should live in the company of the good and serve those who excel in learning; by close association one comes to share the nature of the company he keeps, as a dark bird that takes refuge on Meru.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0493-0496 (printed after 13.98.22d). Corrected सत्संनिक्रषे → सत्संनिकर्षे (misprint in Wikisource; र् misplaced; CE satsaṃnikarṣe). The page prints this verse as four lines with the last word split by a hyphen across the line break (सन्निकर्षा- । न्नीलः); rejoined as सन्निकर्षान् । नीलः (pausal form at the pāda end); the text is otherwise unchanged.

Verse 31 (13.152.31)

इत्येवमाख्याय महामुनिस्तदा । चतुर्षु वर्णेषु विधानमर्थवित् । शुश्रूषया वृत्तगतिं समाधिना । समाधियुक्तः प्रययौ स्वमाश्रमम् ॥

ityevamākhyāya mahāmunistadā | caturṣu varṇeṣu vidhānamarthavit | śuśrūṣayā vṛttagatiṃ samādhinā | samādhiyuktaḥ prayayau svamāśramam

Having thus spoken, the great sage, who knew the meaning, declared the rule for the four classes — the course of life through service and through concentration — and, absorbed in concentration, went away to his own hermitage.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the CE has it only as Appendix I No. 10, lines 13,098.022d@010_0497-0500 (printed after 13.98.22d). Speaker: Bhishma, as the page heads it (13-152-31x "भीष्म उवाच"); the verse closes Parashara's discourse in Bhishma's narration. Removed the stray closing quote mark and doubled danda (।।') after आश्रमम्; the verse ends with ॥. Reading kept: चतुर्षु वर्णेषु (CE caturthavarṇeṣu), a recension variant.