Vyasa's Description of the Householder's Dharma

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.1.14.1)

सूत उवाच । दृष्ट्वा तामसितापाङ्गीं व्यासश्चिन्तापरोऽभवत् । किं करोमि न मे योग्या देवकन्येयमप्सराः ॥ 14.1 ॥

sūta uvāca dṛṣṭvā tāmasitāpāṅgīṁ vyāsaścintāparo'bhavat kiṁ karomi na me yogyā devakanyeyamapsarāḥ

Suta said: Seeing that dark-eyed woman, Vyasa became absorbed in anxious thought: 'What shall I do? This daughter of the gods, this apsaras, is not fit for me.'

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.1.14.2)

एवं चिन्तयमानं तु दृष्ट्वा व्यासं तदाप्सराः । भयभीता हि सञ्जाता शापं मा विसृजेदयम् ॥ 14.2 ॥

evaṁ cintayamānaṁ tu dṛṣṭvā vyāsaṁ tadāpsarāḥ bhayabhītā hi sañjātā śāpaṁ mā visṛjedayam

But seeing Vyasa thus lost in thought, that apsaras became struck with fear: 'May he not release a curse upon me.'

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.1.14.3)

सा कृत्वाथ शुकीरूपं निर्गता भयविह्वला । कृष्णस्तु विस्मयं प्राप्तो विहङ्गीं तां विलोकयन् ॥ 14.3 ॥

sā kṛtvātha śukīrūpaṁ nirgatā bhayavihvalā kṛṣṇastu vismayaṁ prāpto vihaṅgīṁ tāṁ vilokayan

She then, taking the form of a female parrot, departed, overcome with fear; Krishna, however, was struck with wonder, gazing at her as that bird.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.1.14.4)

कामस्तु देहे व्यासस्य दर्शनादेव सङ्गतः । मनोऽतिविस्मितं जातं सर्वगात्रेषु विस्मितः ॥ 14.4 ॥

kāmastu dehe vyāsasya darśanādeva saṅgataḥ mano'tivismitaṁ jātaṁ sarvagātreṣu vismitaḥ

Desire, indeed, took hold in Vyasa's body merely from the sight of her; his mind became utterly astonished, and he was astonished through all his limbs.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.1.14.5)

स तु धैर्येण महता निगह्णन्मानसं मुनिः । न शशाक नियन्तुं च स व्यासः प्रसृतं मनः ॥ 14.5 ॥

sa tu dhairyeṇa mahatā nigahṇanmānasaṁ muniḥ na śaśāka niyantuṁ ca sa vyāsaḥ prasṛtaṁ manaḥ

That sage, though restraining his mind with great fortitude, was not able to control his mind, which had gone forth after her.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.1.14.6)

बहुशो गृह्यमाणं च घृताच्या मोहितं मनः । भावित्वान्नैव विधृतं व्यासस्यामिततेजसः ॥ 14.6 ॥

bahuśo gṛhyamāṇaṁ ca ghṛtācyā mohitaṁ manaḥ bhāvitvānnaiva vidhṛtaṁ vyāsasyāmitatejasaḥ

His mind, repeatedly seized and bewildered because of Ghritachi, being in that condition, could not be restrained at all, even by Vyasa of boundless splendor.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.1.14.7)

मन्धनं कुर्वतस्तस्य मुनेरग्निचिकीर्षया । अरण्यामेव सहसा तस्य शुक्रमथापतत् ॥ 14.7 ॥

mandhanaṁ kurvatastasya muneragnicikīrṣayā araṇyāmeva sahasā tasya śukramathāpatat

As that sage was churning, desiring to produce fire, his seed suddenly fell right there upon the fire-sticks.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.1.14.8)

सोऽविचिन्त्य तथा पातं ममन्थारणिमेव च । तस्माच्छुकः समुद्भूतो व्यासाकृतिमनोहरः ॥ 14.8 ॥

so'vicintya tathā pātaṁ mamanthāraṇimeva ca tasmācchukaḥ samudbhūto vyāsākṛtimanoharaḥ

Without reflecting on that fall, he churned the fire-sticks all the same; and from that, Shuka was born, of a form as lovely as Vyasa's own.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.1.14.9)

विस्मयं जनयन्बालः सञ्जातस्तदरण्यजः । यथाध्वरे समिद्धोऽग्निर्भाति हव्येन दीप्तिमान् ॥ 14.9 ॥

vismayaṁ janayanbālaḥ sañjātastadaraṇyajaḥ yathādhvare samiddho'gnirbhāti havyena dīptimān

That child, born there from the fire-sticks, arose, causing wonder — radiant, like a well-kindled fire blazing in a sacrifice, glowing with the oblation.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.1.14.10)

व्यासस्तु सुतमालोक्य विस्मयं परमं गतः । किमेतदिति सञ्चिन्त्य वरदानाच्छिवस्य वै ॥ 14.10 ॥

vyāsastu sutamālokya vismayaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ kimetaditi sañcintya varadānācchivasya vai

Vyasa, beholding his son, was struck with the greatest wonder; reflecting, 'What is this?' — he understood it to be indeed through the boon granted by Shiva.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.1.14.11)

तेजोरूपी शुको जातोऽप्यरणीगर्भसम्भवः । द्वितीयोऽग्निरिवात्यर्थं दीप्यमानः स्वतेजसा ॥ 14.11 ॥

tejorūpī śuko jāto'pyaraṇīgarbhasambhavaḥ dvitīyo'gnirivātyarthaṁ dīpyamānaḥ svatejasā

Shuka, of the very form of splendor, was born from the womb of the fire-sticks; blazing exceedingly with his own splendor, like a second fire.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.1.14.12)

विलोकयामास तदा व्यासस्तु मुदितं सुतम् । दिव्येन तेजसा युक्तं गार्हपत्यमिवापरम् ॥ 14.12 ॥

vilokayāmāsa tadā vyāsastu muditaṁ sutam divyena tejasā yuktaṁ gārhapatyamivāparam

Vyasa then beheld his joyful son, endowed with divine splendor, like a second household sacrificial fire.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.1.14.13)

गङ्गान्तः स्नापयामास समागत्य गिरेस्तदा । पुष्पवृष्टिस्तु खाज्जाता शिशोरुपरि तापसाः ॥ 14.13 ॥

gaṅgāntaḥ snāpayāmāsa samāgatya girestadā puṣpavṛṣṭistu khājjātā śiśorupari tāpasāḥ

Having come down from the mountain then, he bathed him in the Ganga; and, O ascetics, a shower of flowers fell from the sky upon the child.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.1.14.14)

जातकर्मादिकं चक्रे व्यासस्तस्य महात्मनः । देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुर्ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः ॥ 14.14 ॥

jātakarmādikaṁ cakre vyāsastasya mahātmanaḥ devadundubhayo nedurnanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ

Vyasa performed the birth-rites and the rest for that great soul; the drums of the gods sounded, and the hosts of apsaras danced.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.1.14.15)

जगुर्गन्धर्वपतयो मुदितास्ते दिदृक्षवः । विश्वावसुर्नारदश्च तुम्बुरुः शुकसम्भवे ॥ 14.15 ॥

jagurgandharvapatayo muditāste didṛkṣavaḥ viśvāvasurnāradaśca tumburuḥ śukasambhave

The lords of the Gandharvas sang, delighted, eager to see him — Vishvavasu, and Narada, and Tumburu — at the birth of Shuka.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.1.14.16)

तुष्टुवुर्मुदिताः सर्वे देवा विद्याधरास्तथा । दृष्ट्वा व्याससुतं दिव्यमरणीगर्भसम्भवम् ॥ 14.16 ॥

tuṣṭuvurmuditāḥ sarve devā vidyādharāstathā dṛṣṭvā vyāsasutaṁ divyamaraṇīgarbhasambhavam

All the gods, delighted, and likewise the Vidyadharas, praised him, having seen Vyasa's divine son, born from the womb of the fire-sticks.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.1.14.17)

अन्तरिक्षात्पपातोर्व्यां दण्डः कृष्णाजिनं शुभम् । कमण्डलुस्तथा दिव्यः शुकस्यार्थे द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ 14.17 ॥

antarikṣātpapātorvyāṁ daṇḍaḥ kṛṣṇājinaṁ śubham kamaṇḍalustathā divyaḥ śukasyārthe dvijottamāḥ

From the sky there fell to earth a staff, an auspicious black antelope skin, and likewise a divine water-pot, O foremost of the twice-born, for Shuka's sake.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.1.14.18)

सद्यः स ववृधे बालो जातमात्रोऽतिदीप्तिमान् । तस्योपनयनं चक्रे व्यासो विद्याविधानवित् ॥ 14.18 ॥

sadyaḥ sa vavṛdhe bālo jātamātro'tidīptimān tasyopanayanaṁ cakre vyāso vidyāvidhānavit

That child, most radiant, no sooner born than he grew instantly; Vyasa, learned in the rules of education, performed his sacred-thread investiture.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.1.14.19)

उत्पन्नमात्रं तं वेदाः सरहस्याः ससङ्ग्रहाः । उपतस्थुर्महात्मानं यथास्य पितरं तथा ॥ 14.19 ॥

utpannamātraṁ taṁ vedāḥ sarahasyāḥ sasaṅgrahāḥ upatasthurmahātmānaṁ yathāsya pitaraṁ tathā

The Vedas, with their secret meanings and their compendiums, attended upon that great soul the very moment he was born, just as they had attended his father.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.1.14.20)

यतो दृष्टं शुकीरूपं घृताच्याः सम्भवे तदा । शुकेति नाम पुत्रस्य चकार मुनिसत्तमः ॥ 14.20 ॥

yato dṛṣṭaṁ śukīrūpaṁ ghṛtācyāḥ sambhave tadā śuketi nāma putrasya cakāra munisattamaḥ

Since the form of a female parrot had been seen at the moment of his begetting, from Ghritachi, that best of sages gave his son the name 'Shuka'.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.1.14.21)

बृहस्पतिमुपाध्यायं कृत्वा व्याससुतस्तदा । व्रतानि ब्रह्मचर्यस्य चकार विधिपूर्वकम् ॥ 14.21 ॥

bṛhaspatimupādhyāyaṁ kṛtvā vyāsasutastadā vratāni brahmacaryasya cakāra vidhipūrvakam

Vyasa's son then, taking Brihaspati as his teacher, duly performed the vows of the celibate student's life.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.1.14.22)

सोऽधीत्य निखिलान्वेदान् सरहस्यान्ससङ्ग्रहान् । धर्मशास्त्राणि सर्वाणि कृत्वा गुरुकुले शुकः ॥ 14.22 ॥

so'dhītya nikhilānvedān sarahasyānsasaṅgrahān dharmaśāstrāṇi sarvāṇi kṛtvā gurukule śukaḥ

Shuka, having studied all the Vedas together with their secret meanings and compendiums, and all the dharma-shastras, in his teacher's household,

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.1.14.23)

गुरवे दक्षिणां दत्त्वा समावृत्तो मुनिस्तदा । आजगाम पितुः पार्श्वं कृष्णद्वैपायनस्य च ॥ 14.23 ॥

gurave dakṣiṇāṁ dattvā samāvṛtto munistadā ājagāma pituḥ pārśvaṁ kṛṣṇadvaipāyanasya ca

having given the customary fee to his teacher, that sage then returned home, and came to the side of his father, Krishna Dvaipayana.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.1.14.24)

दृष्ट्वा व्यासः शुकं प्राप्तं प्रेम्णोत्थाय ससम्भ्रमः । आलिलिङ्ग मुहुर्घ्राणं मूर्ध्नि तस्य चकार ह ॥ 14.24 ॥

dṛṣṭvā vyāsaḥ śukaṁ prāptaṁ premṇotthāya sasambhramaḥ āliliṅga muhurghrāṇaṁ mūrdhni tasya cakāra ha

Seeing Shuka's arrival, Vyasa rose up in agitation of love, and embraced him again and again, and pressed his head to his own.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.1.14.25)

पप्रच्छ कुशलं व्यासस्तथा चाध्ययनं शुचि । आश्वास्य स्थापयामास शुकं तत्राश्रमे शुभे ॥ 14.25 ॥

papraccha kuśalaṁ vyāsastathā cādhyayanaṁ śuci āśvāsya sthāpayāmāsa śukaṁ tatrāśrame śubhe

Vyasa inquired of his welfare, and likewise of his pure course of study; having reassured him, he settled Shuka there in that auspicious hermitage.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.1.14.26)

दारकर्म ततो व्यासः शुकस्य पर्यचिन्तयत् । कन्यां मुनिसुतां कान्तामपृच्छदतिवेगवान् ॥ 14.26 ॥

dārakarma tato vyāsaḥ śukasya paryacintayat kanyāṁ munisutāṁ kāntāmapṛcchadativegavān

Vyasa then considered the matter of a wife for Shuka; very eagerly, he inquired after a lovely maiden, daughter of a sage.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.1.14.27)

शुकं प्राह सुतं व्यासो वेदोऽधीतस्त्वयानघ । धर्मशास्त्राणि सर्वाणि कुरु भार्यां महामते ॥ 14.27 ॥

śukaṁ prāha sutaṁ vyāso vedo'dhītastvayānagha dharmaśāstrāṇi sarvāṇi kuru bhāryāṁ mahāmate

Vyasa said to his son Shuka: 'You have studied the Veda, O sinless one, and all the dharma-shastras — take a wife now, O great-minded one.'

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.1.14.28)

गार्हस्थ्यं च समासाद्य यज देवान्पितॄनथ । ऋणान्मोचय मां पुत्र प्राप्य दारान्मनोरमान् ॥ 14.28 ॥

gārhasthyaṁ ca samāsādya yaja devānpitṝnatha ṛṇānmocaya māṁ putra prāpya dārānmanoramān

'Take up the householder's life and worship the gods and ancestors; free me from my debts, my son, by taking a lovely wife.'

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.1.14.29)

अपुत्रस्य गतिर्नास्ति स्वर्गो नैव च नैव च । तस्मात्पुत्र महाभाग कुरुष्वाद्य गृहाश्रमम् ॥ 14.29 ॥

aputrasya gatirnāsti svargo naiva ca naiva ca tasmātputra mahābhāga kuruṣvādya gṛhāśramam

'For the sonless there is no destiny, nor heaven at all, at all; therefore, my son, greatly fortunate one, take up the householder's life today.'

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.1.14.30)

कृत्वा गृहाश्रमं पुत्र सुखिनं कुरु मां शुक । आशा मे महती पुत्र पूरयस्व महामते ॥ 14.30 ॥

kṛtvā gṛhāśramaṁ putra sukhinaṁ kuru māṁ śuka āśā me mahatī putra pūrayasva mahāmate

'Having taken up the householder's life, my son, make me happy, O Shuka; my hope is great, my son — fulfill it, O great-minded one.'

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.1.14.31)

तपस्तप्त्वा महाघोरं प्राप्तोऽसि त्वमयोनिजः । देवरूपी महाप्राज्ञ पाहि मां पितरं शुक ॥ 14.31 ॥

tapastaptvā mahāghoraṁ prāpto'si tvamayonijaḥ devarūpī mahāprājña pāhi māṁ pitaraṁ śuka

'Having performed the most terrible austerity, I obtained you, not born from a womb, godlike in form, O greatly wise one; protect me, your father, O Shuka.'

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.1.14.32)

सूत उवाच । इति वादिनमभ्याशे प्राप्तः प्राह शुकस्तदा । विरक्तः सोऽतिरक्तं तं साक्षात्पितरमात्मनः ॥ 14.32 ॥

sūta uvāca iti vādinamabhyāśe prāptaḥ prāha śukastadā viraktaḥ so'tiraktaṁ taṁ sākṣātpitaramātmanaḥ

Suta said: To him thus speaking, standing close by, Shuka, himself detached, then spoke to his father, so deeply attached, standing right there before him:

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.1.14.33)

शुक उवाच । किं त्वं वदसि धर्मज्ञ वेदव्यास महामते । तत्त्वेन शाधि शिष्यं मां त्वदाज्ञां करवाण्यलम् ॥ 14.33 ॥

śuka uvāca kiṁ tvaṁ vadasi dharmajña vedavyāsa mahāmate tattvena śādhi śiṣyaṁ māṁ tvadājñāṁ karavāṇyalam

Shuka said: What is this you say, O knower of dharma, Veda-Vyasa, great-minded one? Instruct me, your disciple, in the truth — I am fully ready to obey your command.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.1.14.34)

व्यास उवाच । त्वदर्थे यत्तपस्तप्तं मया पुत्र शतं समाः । प्राप्तस्त्वं चातिदुःखेन शिवस्याराधनेन च ॥ 14.34 ॥

vyāsa uvāca tvadarthe yattapastaptaṁ mayā putra śataṁ samāḥ prāptastvaṁ cātiduḥkhena śivasyārādhanena ca

Vyasa said: For your sake, my son, I performed austerity for a hundred years; and you were obtained through great hardship, and through the worship of Shiva.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.1.14.35)

ददामि तव वित्तं तु प्रार्थयित्वाथ भूपतिम् । सुखं भुङ्क्ष्व महाप्राज्ञ प्राप्य यौवनमुत्तमम् ॥ 14.35 ॥

dadāmi tava vittaṁ tu prārthayitvātha bhūpatim sukhaṁ bhuṅkṣva mahāprājña prāpya yauvanamuttamam

I shall give you wealth, having petitioned a king; enjoy happiness, O greatly wise one, having attained the prime of youth.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.1.14.36)

शुक उवाच । किं सुखं मानुषे लोके ब्रूहि तात निरामयम् । दुःखविद्धं सुखं प्राज्ञा न वदन्ति सुखं किल ॥ 14.36 ॥

śuka uvāca kiṁ sukhaṁ mānuṣe loke brūhi tāta nirāmayam duḥkhaviddhaṁ sukhaṁ prājñā na vadanti sukhaṁ kila

Shuka said: What happiness, free of affliction, is there in the human world? Tell me, father; the wise do not call happiness pierced through with sorrow true happiness at all.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.1.14.37)

स्त्रियं कृत्वा महाभाग भवामि तद्वशानुगः । सुखं किं परतन्त्रस्य स्त्रीजितस्य विशेषतः ॥ 14.37 ॥

striyaṁ kṛtvā mahābhāga bhavāmi tadvaśānugaḥ sukhaṁ kiṁ paratantrasya strījitasya viśeṣataḥ

'Taking a wife, O greatly fortunate one, I would become subject to her sway; what happiness is there for one dependent on another, especially one conquered by a woman?'

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.1.14.38)

कदाचिदपि मुच्येत लोहकाष्ठादियन्त्रितः । पुत्रदारैर्निबद्धस्तु न विमुच्येत कर्हिचित् ॥ 14.38 ॥

kadācidapi mucyeta lohakāṣṭhādiyantritaḥ putradārairnibaddhastu na vimucyeta karhicit

'One bound by iron, wood, and the like may sometimes be freed; but one bound by sons and wife is never freed, at any time.'

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.1.14.39)

विण्मूत्रसम्भवो देहो नारीणां तन्मयस्तथा । कः प्रीतिं तत्र विप्रेन्द्र विबुधः कर्तुमिच्छति ॥ 14.39 ॥

viṇmūtrasambhavo deho nārīṇāṁ tanmayastathā kaḥ prītiṁ tatra viprendra vibudhaḥ kartumicchati

'A woman's body arises from excrement and urine, and is made of that very substance; what wise man, O lord of brahmins, would wish to take delight in that?'

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.1.14.40)

अयोनिजोऽहं विप्रर्षे योनौ मे कीदृशी मतिः । न वाञ्छाम्यहमग्रेऽपि योनावेव समुद्भवम् ॥ 14.40 ॥

ayonijo'haṁ viprarṣe yonau me kīdṛśī matiḥ na vāñchāmyahamagre'pi yonāveva samudbhavam

'I, O sage among brahmins, was not born from a womb — what regard should I have for the womb? Not even in the future do I wish to take birth by way of a womb.'

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.1.14.41)

विट्सुखं किमु वाञ्छामि त्यक्त्वाऽऽत्मसुखमद्भुतम् । आत्मारामश्च भूयोऽपि न भवत्यतिलोलुपः ॥ 14.41 ॥

viṭsukhaṁ kimu vāñchāmi tyaktvā''tmasukhamadbhutam ātmārāmaśca bhūyo'pi na bhavatyatilolupaḥ

'Why should I desire the pleasure of excrement, abandoning my own wondrous self-bliss? One who rejoices in the Self, moreover, is never one given to excessive craving.'

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.1.14.42)

प्रथमं पठिता वेदा मया विस्तारिताश्च ते । हिंसामयास्ते पतिताः कर्ममार्गप्रवर्तकाः ॥ 14.42 ॥

prathamaṁ paṭhitā vedā mayā vistāritāśca te hiṁsāmayāste patitāḥ karmamārgapravartakāḥ

'I have first studied the Vedas, and I have expounded them at length; but they are, in their ritual portion, full of violence, given to falling, promoting the path of mere action.'

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.1.14.43)

बृहस्पतिर्गुरुः प्राप्तः सोऽपि मग्नो गृहार्णवे । अविद्याग्रस्तहृदयः कथं तारयितुं क्षमः ॥ 14.43 ॥

bṛhaspatirguruḥ prāptaḥ so'pi magno gṛhārṇave avidyāgrastahṛdayaḥ kathaṁ tārayituṁ kṣamaḥ

'Brihaspati, obtained as my teacher, is himself sunk in the ocean of household life, his heart seized by ignorance — how could he be capable of ferrying me across?'

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.1.14.44)

रोगग्रस्तो यथा वैद्यः पररोगचिकित्सकः । तथा गुरुर्मुमुक्षोर्मे गृहस्थोऽयं विडम्बना ॥ 14.44 ॥

rogagrasto yathā vaidyaḥ pararogacikitsakaḥ tathā gururmumukṣorme gṛhastho'yaṁ viḍambanā

'Just as a physician afflicted by disease is unfit to treat another's disease, so this householder-guru is a mockery for me, who seeks liberation.'

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.1.14.45)

कृत्वा प्रणामं गुरवे त्वत्समीपमुपागतः । त्राहि मां तत्त्वबोधेन भीतं संसारसर्पतः ॥ 14.45 ॥

kṛtvā praṇāmaṁ gurave tvatsamīpamupāgataḥ trāhi māṁ tattvabodhena bhītaṁ saṁsārasarpataḥ

'Having bowed to my teacher, I have come to your presence; save me, through the knowledge of Truth, terrified as I am of the serpent of worldly existence.'

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.1.14.46)

संसारेऽस्मिन्महाघोरे भ्रमणं नभचक्रवत् । न च विश्रमणं क्यापि सूर्यस्येव दिवानिशि ॥ 14.46 ॥

saṁsāre'sminmahāghore bhramaṇaṁ nabhacakravat na ca viśramaṇaṁ kyāpi sūryasyeva divāniśi

'In this most terrible cycle of existence, there is wandering like the wheel of the sky, and no rest anywhere at all, like the sun by day and by night.'

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.1.14.47)

किं सुखं तात संसारे निजतत्त्वविचारणात् । मूढानां सुखबुद्धिस्तु विट्सु कीटसुखं यथा ॥ 14.47 ॥

kiṁ sukhaṁ tāta saṁsāre nijatattvavicāraṇāt mūḍhānāṁ sukhabuddhistu viṭsu kīṭasukhaṁ yathā

'What happiness, father, is there in this world, compared with the reflection upon one's own true nature? The notion of happiness among fools in worldly pleasure is like the pleasure of a worm in excrement.'

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.1.14.48)

अधीत्य वेदशास्त्राणि संसारे रागिणश्च ये । तेभ्यः परो न मूर्खोऽस्ति सधर्मा श्वाश्वसूकरैः ॥ 14.48 ॥

adhītya vedaśāstrāṇi saṁsāre rāgiṇaśca ye tebhyaḥ paro na mūrkho'sti sadharmā śvāśvasūkaraiḥ

'Among those who, having studied the Vedas and shastras, remain attached to the world — there is no greater fool than they; they share the very nature of dogs, horses, and pigs.'

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.1.14.49)

मानुष्यं दुर्लभं प्राप्य वेदशास्त्राण्यधीत्य च । बध्यते यदि संसारे को विमुच्येत मानवः ॥ 14.49 ॥

mānuṣyaṁ durlabhaṁ prāpya vedaśāstrāṇyadhītya ca badhyate yadi saṁsāre ko vimucyeta mānavaḥ

'Having obtained a human birth, so hard to attain, and having studied the Vedas and shastras, if one is still bound in the world — then what man could ever be freed?'

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.1.14.50)

नातः परतरं लोके क्वचिदाश्चर्यमद्भुतम् । पुत्रदारगृहासक्तः पण्डितः परिगीयते ॥ 14.50 ॥

nātaḥ parataraṁ loke kvacidāścaryamadbhutam putradāragṛhāsaktaḥ paṇḍitaḥ parigīyate

'There is no more wondrous marvel anywhere in the world than this — that a man attached to sons, wife, and household is still praised as a learned man.'

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.1.14.51)

न बाध्यते यः संसारे नरो मायागुणैस्त्रिभिः । स विद्वान्स च मेधावी शास्त्रपारं गतो हि सः ॥ 14.51 ॥

na bādhyate yaḥ saṁsāre naro māyāguṇaistribhiḥ sa vidvānsa ca medhāvī śāstrapāraṁ gato hi saḥ

'That man who is not bound in this world by the three qualities of Maya — he is the wise one, he is the intelligent one, he indeed has reached the far shore of the scriptures.'

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.1.14.52)

किं वृथाध्ययनेनात्र दृढबन्धकरेण च । पठितव्यं तदेवाशु मोचयेद्भवबन्धनात् ॥ 14.52 ॥

kiṁ vṛthādhyayanenātra dṛḍhabandhakareṇa ca paṭhitavyaṁ tadevāśu mocayedbhavabandhanāt

'What use is there in vain study here, which only forges a stronger bond? That alone should be studied which quickly frees one from the bondage of worldly existence.'

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.1.14.53)

गह्णाति पुरुषं यस्माद्गृहं तेन प्रकीर्तितम् । क्व सुखं बन्धनागारे तेन भीतोऽस्म्यहं पितः ॥ 14.53 ॥

gahṇāti puruṣaṁ yasmādgṛhaṁ tena prakīrtitam kva sukhaṁ bandhanāgāre tena bhīto'smyahaṁ pitaḥ

'Because it seizes a man, a household is so named; what happiness is there in a prison-house? Therefore I am afraid, father.'

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.1.14.54)

येऽबुधा मन्दमतयो विधिना मुषिताश्च ये । ते प्राप्य मानुषं जन्म पुनर्बन्धं विशन्त्युत ॥ 14.54 ॥

ye'budhā mandamatayo vidhinā muṣitāśca ye te prāpya mānuṣaṁ janma punarbandhaṁ viśantyuta

'Those who are unwise, dull-minded, robbed of judgment by fate — having obtained a human birth, they enter once more into bondage.'

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.1.14.55)

व्यास उवाच । न गृहं बन्धनागारं बन्धने न च कारणम् । मनसा यो विनिर्मुक्तो गृहस्थोऽपि विमुच्यते ॥ 14.55 ॥

vyāsa uvāca na gṛhaṁ bandhanāgāraṁ bandhane na ca kāraṇam manasā yo vinirmukto gṛhastho'pi vimucyate

Vyasa said: A household is not a prison, nor is it a cause of bondage; he who is inwardly free in mind is liberated even as a householder.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.1.14.56)

न्यायागतधनः कुर्वन्वेदोक्तं विधिवत्क्रमात् । गृहस्थोऽपि विमुच्येत श्राद्धकृत्सत्यवाक् शुचिः ॥ 14.56 ॥

nyāyāgatadhanaḥ kurvanvedoktaṁ vidhivatkramāt gṛhastho'pi vimucyeta śrāddhakṛtsatyavāk śuciḥ

One whose wealth is rightly earned, who performs the rites declared in the Veda in due order according to rule — even a householder may be liberated, if he performs the ancestral rites, speaks truth, and is pure.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.1.14.57)

ब्रह्मचारी यतिश्चैव वानप्रस्थो व्रतस्थितः । गृहस्थं समुपासन्ते मध्याह्नातिक्रमे सदा ॥ 14.57 ॥

brahmacārī yatiścaiva vānaprastho vratasthitaḥ gṛhasthaṁ samupāsante madhyāhnātikrame sadā

The celibate student, and likewise the renunciant, and the forest-dweller established in his vows, all attend upon the householder, ever at the hour past midday.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.1.14.58)

श्रद्धया चान्नदानेन वाचा सूनृतया तथा । उपकुर्वन्ति धर्मस्था गृहाश्रमनिवासिनः ॥ 14.58 ॥

śraddhayā cānnadānena vācā sūnṛtayā tathā upakurvanti dharmasthā gṛhāśramanivāsinaḥ

Through faith, through the giving of food, and likewise through kind speech, those established in dharma, dwelling in the householder's stage, render service to the world.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.1.14.59)

गृहाश्रमात्परो धर्मो न दृष्टो न च वै श्रुतः । वसिष्ठादिभिराचार्यैर्ज्ञानिभिः समुपाश्रितः ॥ 14.59 ॥

gṛhāśramātparo dharmo na dṛṣṭo na ca vai śrutaḥ vasiṣṭhādibhirācāryairjñānibhiḥ samupāśritaḥ

No dharma higher than the householder's stage has ever been seen, nor indeed heard of; it has been embraced by teachers such as Vasishtha and other wise men.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.1.14.60)

किमसाध्यं महाभाग वेदोक्तानि च कुर्वतः । स्वर्गं मोक्षं च सज्जन्म यद्यद्वाञ्छति तद्भवेत् ॥ 14.60 ॥

kimasādhyaṁ mahābhāga vedoktāni ca kurvataḥ svargaṁ mokṣaṁ ca sajjanma yadyadvāñchati tadbhavet

What, O greatly fortunate one, is unattainable for one who performs what the Veda declares? Heaven, liberation, and good birth — whatever he desires, that comes to be.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.1.14.61)

आश्रमादाश्रमं गच्छेदिति धर्मविदो विदुः । तस्मादग्निं समाधाय कुरु कर्माण्यतन्द्रितः ॥ 14.61 ॥

āśramādāśramaṁ gacchediti dharmavido viduḥ tasmādagniṁ samādhāya kuru karmāṇyatandritaḥ

'One should proceed from one life-stage to the next' — thus the knowers of dharma have taught. Therefore, having established the sacred fire, perform your duties tirelessly.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.1.14.62)

देवान्पितॄन्मनुष्यांश्च सन्तर्प्य विधिवत्सुत । पुत्रमुत्पाद्य धर्मज्ञ संयोज्य च गृहाश्रमे ॥ 14.62 ॥

devānpitṝnmanuṣyāṁśca santarpya vidhivatsuta putramutpādya dharmajña saṁyojya ca gṛhāśrame

Having duly satisfied the gods, the ancestors, and men, my son, and having begotten a son, O knower of dharma, and having engaged yourself in the householder's stage,

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.1.14.63)

त्यक्त्वागृहं वनं गत्वा कर्तासि व्रतमुत्तमम् । वानप्रस्थाश्रमं कृत्वा संन्यासं च ततः परम् ॥ 14.63 ॥

tyaktvāgṛhaṁ vanaṁ gatvā kartāsi vratamuttamam vānaprasthāśramaṁ kṛtvā saṁnyāsaṁ ca tataḥ param

— only then, leaving your household and going to the forest, you may undertake the highest vow; having taken up the forest-dweller's stage, and renunciation after that.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.1.14.64)

इन्द्रियाणि महाभाग मादकानि सुनिश्चितम् । अदारस्य दुरन्तानि पञ्चैव मनसा सह ॥ 14.64 ॥

indriyāṇi mahābhāga mādakāni suniścitam adārasya durantāni pañcaiva manasā saha

The senses, O greatly fortunate one, are certainly intoxicating; for one without a wife, these five, together with the mind, are without end in their power over him.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.1.14.65)

तस्माद्दारान्प्रकुर्वीत तज्जयाय महामते । वार्धके तप आतिष्ठेदिति शास्त्रोदितं वचः ॥ 14.65 ॥

tasmāddārānprakurvīta tajjayāya mahāmate vārdhake tapa ātiṣṭhediti śāstroditaṁ vacaḥ

Therefore one should take a wife for the sake of conquering them, O great-minded one; 'in old age, one should take up austerity' — such is the word declared in the shastras.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.1.14.66)

विश्वामित्रो महाभाग तपः कृत्वातिदुश्चरम् । त्रीणि वर्षसहस्राणि निराहारो जितेन्द्रियः ॥ 14.66 ॥

viśvāmitro mahābhāga tapaḥ kṛtvātiduścaram trīṇi varṣasahasrāṇi nirāhāro jitendriyaḥ

O greatly fortunate one, Vishvamitra, having performed the most arduous austerity, for three thousand years, taking no food, his senses controlled,

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.1.14.67)

मोहितश्च महातेजा वने मेनकया स्थितः । शकुन्तला समुत्पन्ना पुत्री तद्वीर्यजा शुभा ॥ 14.67 ॥

mohitaśca mahātejā vane menakayā sthitaḥ śakuntalā samutpannā putrī tadvīryajā śubhā

— that greatly splendid one was nonetheless bewildered by Menaka in the forest, and stayed with her; Shakuntala, an auspicious daughter, was born from his seed.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.1.14.68)

दृष्ट्वा दाशसुतां कालीं पिता मम पराशरः । कामबाणार्दितः कन्यां तां जग्राहोडुपे स्थितः ॥ 14.68 ॥

dṛṣṭvā dāśasutāṁ kālīṁ pitā mama parāśaraḥ kāmabāṇārditaḥ kanyāṁ tāṁ jagrāhoḍupe sthitaḥ

My own father Parashara, seeing the fisherman's dark-skinned daughter, tormented by the arrow of desire, took that maiden, both standing in a boat.

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.1.14.69)

ब्रह्मापि स्वसुतां दृष्ट्वा पञ्चबाणप्रपीडितः । धावमानश्च रुद्रेण मूर्च्छितश्च निवारितः ॥ 14.69 ॥

brahmāpi svasutāṁ dṛṣṭvā pañcabāṇaprapīḍitaḥ dhāvamānaśca rudreṇa mūrcchitaśca nivāritaḥ

Even Brahma, seeing his own daughter, was tormented by the five arrows of Kama, and pursued her, until he was stopped, and swooned, by Rudra.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.1.14.70)

तस्मात्त्वमपि कल्याण कुरु मे वचनं हितम् । कुलजां कन्यकां वृत्वा वेदमार्गं समाश्रय ॥ 14.70 ॥

tasmāttvamapi kalyāṇa kuru me vacanaṁ hitam kulajāṁ kanyakāṁ vṛtvā vedamārgaṁ samāśraya

Therefore you too, O auspicious one, follow my beneficial word; having chosen a well-born maiden, take refuge in the path of the Veda.