Kashyapa's Teaching, and the Allegory of the Self Among the Five Elements

Verse 1 (padma.2.7.1)

दितिरुवाच- सत्यमुक्तं त्वया नाथ सर्वमेव न संशयः । भर्तृस्नेहं परित्यज्य गता सापत्न्यजं द्विज

ditiruvāca- satyamuktaṁ tvayā nātha sarvameva na saṁśayaḥ bhartṛsnehaṁ parityajya gatā sāpatnyajaṁ dvija

Diti said: 'True, my lord, is all that you have spoken, no doubt of it. Yet, setting aside a husband's affection, O brahmin, my mind has turned to what is born of a co-wife's rivalry—'

Verse 2 (padma.2.7.2)

अभिमानेन दुःखेन मानभंगेन सत्तम । महादुःखेन संतप्ता करिष्ये प्राणमोचनम्

abhimānena duḥkhena mānabhaṁgena sattama mahāduḥkhena saṁtaptā kariṣye prāṇamocanam

—'through pride, through sorrow, through wounded honor, O worthy one. Tormented by great grief, I shall give up my very life.'

Verse 3 (padma.2.7.3)

कश्यप उवाच- श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि यथा शांतिर्भविष्यति । न कः कस्य भवेत्पुत्रो न माता न पिता शुभे

kaśyapa uvāca- śrūyatāmabhidhāsyāmi yathā śāṁtirbhaviṣyati na kaḥ kasya bhavetputro na mātā na pitā śubhe

Kashyapa said: 'Listen, I shall tell you how peace may come. No one truly belongs to another as son, mother, or father, O auspicious one—'

Verse 4 (padma.2.7.4)

न भ्राता बांधवः कस्य न च स्वजनबांधवाः । एवं संसारसंबंधो मायामोहसमन्वितः

na bhrātā bāṁdhavaḥ kasya na ca svajanabāṁdhavāḥ evaṁ saṁsārasaṁbaṁdho māyāmohasamanvitaḥ

—'no one is truly another's brother or kinsman, nor are there truly kinsfolk of one's own. Thus is the very bond of this transmigratory world joined with illusion and delusion.'

Verse 5 (padma.2.7.5)

स्वयमेव पिता देवि स्वयं माताथ बांधवाः । स्वयं स्वजनवर्गश्च स्वयं धर्मः सनातनः

svayameva pitā devi svayaṁ mātātha bāṁdhavāḥ svayaṁ svajanavargaśca svayaṁ dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ

'One is oneself, O goddess, one's own father, oneself one's own mother and kinsman; oneself one's own family, and oneself the eternal dharma.'

Verse 6 (padma.2.7.6)

आचारेण नरो देवि सुखित्वमुपजायते । अनाचारेण पापेन नाशं याति तथा ध्रुवम्

ācāreṇa naro devi sukhitvamupajāyate anācāreṇa pāpena nāśaṁ yāti tathā dhruvam

'Through right conduct, O goddess, a man attains happiness; through wrong conduct and sin he surely goes to ruin.'

Verse 7 (padma.2.7.7)

क्रूरयोनिं प्रयात्येवं नरो देवि न संशयः । कर्मणा सत्यहीनेन महापापेन मोहतः

krūrayoniṁ prayātyevaṁ naro devi na saṁśayaḥ karmaṇā satyahīnena mahāpāpena mohataḥ

'Through action devoid of truth, through great sin born of delusion, a man indeed enters a cruel womb, O goddess — no doubt of it.'

Verse 8 (padma.2.7.8)

रिपुत्वे वर्त्तते मर्त्यः प्राणिनां नित्यसंस्थितः । रिपवस्तस्य वर्तन्ते यत्र तत्र न संशयः

riputve varttate martyaḥ prāṇināṁ nityasaṁsthitaḥ ripavastasya vartante yatra tatra na saṁśayaḥ

'A mortal who ever bears hostility toward beings finds enemies arising everywhere — no doubt of it.'

Verse 9 (padma.2.7.9)

मैत्रेण वर्तते मर्त्यो यदा लोके प्रिये शुभे । तदा तस्य भवंत्येव मित्राः सर्वत्र भामिनि

maitreṇa vartate martyo yadā loke priye śubhe tadā tasya bhavaṁtyeva mitrāḥ sarvatra bhāmini

'When, O dear and auspicious one, a mortal lives with friendliness in this world, then friends indeed arise for him everywhere, O lady.'

Verse 10 (padma.2.7.10)

कृषिकारो यदा देवि छन्नं बीजं सुसंस्थितम् । यादृशं तु भवत्येव तादृशं फलमश्नुते

kṛṣikāro yadā devi channaṁ bījaṁ susaṁsthitam yādṛśaṁ tu bhavatyeva tādṛśaṁ phalamaśnute

'Just as a farmer, O goddess, who plants a hidden seed well — whatever it is, such indeed is the fruit he reaps.'

Verse 11 (padma.2.7.11)

तथा तव च पुत्रैश्च साधुभिः स्पर्धितं सह । कर्मणस्तस्य तत्प्राप्तं फलं भुंक्ष्व सुसंस्थितम्

tathā tava ca putraiśca sādhubhiḥ spardhitaṁ saha karmaṇastasya tatprāptaṁ phalaṁ bhuṁkṣva susaṁsthitam

'So too your sons contended in rivalry against the righteous; from that very deed this fruit has now come — bear it, for it is well established.'

Verse 12 (padma.2.7.12)

तव पुत्रा महाभागे तपः शांति विवर्जिताः । तेन पापेन ते सर्वे पतिता वै महत्पदात्

tava putrā mahābhāge tapaḥ śāṁti vivarjitāḥ tena pāpena te sarve patitā vai mahatpadāt

'Your sons, O greatly fortunate one, had abandoned austerity and peace; by that very sin all of them fell from their high station.'

Verse 13 (padma.2.7.13)

एवं ज्ञात्वा शमं गच्छ मुंच दुःखं सुखं तथा । कस्य पुत्राश्च मित्राणि कस्य स्वजन बांधवाः

evaṁ jñātvā śamaṁ gaccha muṁca duḥkhaṁ sukhaṁ tathā kasya putrāśca mitrāṇi kasya svajana bāṁdhavāḥ

'Knowing this, attain peace; let go of both sorrow and joy alike. Whose, indeed, are sons? Whose are friends and kinsfolk?'

Verse 14 (padma.2.7.14)

आत्मकर्मानुसारेण सुखं जीवंति जंतवः । परार्थे चिंतनं देवि तत्त्वज्ञानेन पंडिताः

ātmakarmānusāreṇa sukhaṁ jīvaṁti jaṁtavaḥ parārthe ciṁtanaṁ devi tattvajñānena paṁḍitāḥ

'According to their own deeds alone do beings live in happiness. Concern for another's sake, O goddess — the wise, through true knowledge—'

Verse 15 (padma.2.7.15)

न कुर्वंति महात्मानो व्यर्थमेव न संशयः । पंचभूतात्मकं कायं केवलं संधिजर्जरम्

na kurvaṁti mahātmāno vyarthameva na saṁśayaḥ paṁcabhūtātmakaṁ kāyaṁ kevalaṁ saṁdhijarjaram

—'great souls never undertake it in vain, no doubt of it, knowing this body, made of the five elements, to be merely a thing worn out at its joints.'

Verse 16 (padma.2.7.16)

आत्ममित्रं कृतं तेन सर्वं देवि सुखाशया । आत्मा नाम महापुण्यः सर्वगः सर्वदर्शकः

ātmamitraṁ kṛtaṁ tena sarvaṁ devi sukhāśayā ātmā nāma mahāpuṇyaḥ sarvagaḥ sarvadarśakaḥ

'That wise one has made the Self alone his friend, O goddess, in hope of happiness. The Self, so called, is of great merit, all-pervading, the seer of all—'

Verse 17 (padma.2.7.17)

सर्वसिद्धिस्तु सर्वात्मा सात्विकः सर्वसिद्धिदः । एवं सर्वमयो देवि भ्रमत्येको निरञ्जनः

sarvasiddhistu sarvātmā sātvikaḥ sarvasiddhidaḥ evaṁ sarvamayo devi bhramatyeko nirañjanaḥ

—'it is the accomplishment of all things, the Self of all, of sattva-nature, bestower of every accomplishment. Thus, O goddess, that all-pervading, spotless one wanders alone.'

Verse 18 (padma.2.7.18)

भ्रमता निर्जने येन मूर्तिमंतो द्विजोत्तमाः । चत्वारो दर्शिताः पुण्या मूर्तिमंतो महौजसः

bhramatā nirjane yena mūrtimaṁto dvijottamāḥ catvāro darśitāḥ puṇyā mūrtimaṁto mahaujasaḥ

'Wandering in solitude, that Self beheld four meritorious, mighty, embodied beings of excellent form—'

Verse 19 (padma.2.7.19)

पंचमः श्वसनश्चैव पूर्वाणां मित्रमेव च । अथो आत्मा समायातो ज्ञानसाहाय्यमेव वा

paṁcamaḥ śvasanaścaiva pūrvāṇāṁ mitrameva ca atho ātmā samāyāto jñānasāhāyyameva vā

—'and a fifth, the Breath, the very friend of those former ones. Then the Self came there with the aid of Knowledge.'

Verse 20 (padma.2.7.20)

स तान्दृष्ट्वा महात्मा वै ज्ञानमात्मा समब्रवीत् । ज्ञान पश्य अमी पंच मंत्रयंतः परस्परम्

sa tāndṛṣṭvā mahātmā vai jñānamātmā samabravīt jñāna paśya amī paṁca maṁtrayaṁtaḥ parasparam

Seeing them, that great soul, the Self, said to Knowledge: 'Behold, O Knowledge, these five conferring with one another—'

Verse 21 (padma.2.7.21)

एतान्गत्वाब्रवीहि त्वं यूयं क इति पृच्छ ह । ज्ञानं वाक्यं परं श्रुत्वा सार्थं तस्य महात्मनः

etāngatvābravīhi tvaṁ yūyaṁ ka iti pṛccha ha jñānaṁ vākyaṁ paraṁ śrutvā sārthaṁ tasya mahātmanaḥ

—'go to them and ask who they are.' Having heard this excellent, meaningful word of the great soul—

Verse 22 (padma.2.7.22)

तदाहात्मानमाराध्यमेतैः किं ते प्रयोजनम् । तत्त्वतो ब्रूहि मे देव सदा शुद्धोसि सर्वदा

tadāhātmānamārādhyametaiḥ kiṁ te prayojanam tattvato brūhi me deva sadā śuddhosi sarvadā

—Knowledge then said to the venerable Self: 'What is your purpose with these? Tell me truly, O lord, you who are ever, always pure.'

Verse 23 (padma.2.7.23)

आत्मोवाच- एते पंच महाभागा रूपवंतो मनस्विनः । गत्वा संदर्शयाम्येनानाभाष्ये ज्ञान श्रूयताम्

ātmovāca- ete paṁca mahābhāgā rūpavaṁto manasvinaḥ gatvā saṁdarśayāmyenānābhāṣye jñāna śrūyatām

The Self said: 'These five greatly fortunate, beautiful, and resolute ones — I wish to go and show myself to them; I say this only to you, O Knowledge — listen.'

Verse 24 (padma.2.7.24)

भव्यानेतान्प्रवक्ष्यामि पंचमीं गतिमागतान् । दूतत्वं गच्छ भो ज्ञान कुशलो दूतकर्मणि

bhavyānetānpravakṣyāmi paṁcamīṁ gatimāgatān dūtatvaṁ gaccha bho jñāna kuśalo dūtakarmaṇi

'I shall meet with these auspicious ones, who have come by the fifth path. O Knowledge, skilled as you are in the messenger's task, go now as my messenger.'

Verse 25 (padma.2.7.25)

ज्ञानमुवाच- त्वमात्मञ्छृणु मे वाक्यं सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम् । एतेषां संगतिस्तात कार्या नैव त्वया कदा

jñānamuvāca- tvamātmañchṛṇu me vākyaṁ satyaṁ satyaṁ vadāmyaham eteṣāṁ saṁgatistāta kāryā naiva tvayā kadā

Knowledge said: 'O Self, hear my word — truly, truly I speak: union with these, O dear one, should never at any time be sought by you—'

Verse 26 (padma.2.7.26)

पंचानामपि शुद्धात्मन्न कार्यं शुभमिच्छता । भवतः संगतिं मोह इच्छत्येष महामते

paṁcānāmapi śuddhātmanna kāryaṁ śubhamicchatā bhavataḥ saṁgatiṁ moha icchatyeṣa mahāmate

—'O pure Self, one who wishes for good should form no bond with any of these five. It is Delusion alone who desires union with you, O great-minded one.'

Verse 27 (padma.2.7.27)

आत्मोवाच- एतेषां संगतिं ज्ञान कस्माद्वारयते भवान् । तन्मे त्वं कारणं ब्रूहि याथातथ्येन पंडित

ātmovāca- eteṣāṁ saṁgatiṁ jñāna kasmādvārayate bhavān tanme tvaṁ kāraṇaṁ brūhi yāthātathyena paṁḍita

The Self said: 'O Knowledge, why do you forbid union with these? Tell me the reason for it exactly as it is, O wise one.'

Verse 28 (padma.2.7.28)

ज्ञानमुवाच- एतेषां संगमात्रात्तु महद्दुःखं भविष्यति । दुःखमूला हि पंचैव शोकसंतापकारकाः

jñānamuvāca- eteṣāṁ saṁgamātrāttu mahadduḥkhaṁ bhaviṣyati duḥkhamūlā hi paṁcaiva śokasaṁtāpakārakāḥ

Knowledge said: 'From mere contact with these, great suffering shall arise; these five are themselves the root of suffering, causes of grief and torment.'

Verse 29 (padma.2.7.29)

एवमस्तु महाप्राज्ञ करिष्ये वचनं तव । ज्ञानमाभाष्य स ह्यात्मा ध्यानेन सह संगतः

evamastu mahāprājña kariṣye vacanaṁ tava jñānamābhāṣya sa hyātmā dhyānena saha saṁgataḥ

'So be it, O greatly wise one; I shall do as you say.' Having spoken thus to Knowledge, the Self then went on, joined together with Meditation.

Verse 30 (padma.2.7.30)

कश्यप उवाच- ततः पंचैव ते तत्राद्राक्षुरात्मानमेव तम् । बुद्धिमूचुः समाहूय संगच्छात्मानमेव हि

kaśyapa uvāca- tataḥ paṁcaiva te tatrādrākṣurātmānameva tam buddhimūcuḥ samāhūya saṁgacchātmānameva hi

Kashyapa said: Then those very five beheld the Self there; summoning Intellect, they said to her: 'Go and unite with the Self—'

Verse 31 (padma.2.7.31)

दूतत्वं कुरु कल्याणि अस्माकमात्मना सह । पंचतत्त्वा महात्मानो विश्वस्यधारकाः शुभाः

dūtatvaṁ kuru kalyāṇi asmākamātmanā saha paṁcatattvā mahātmāno viśvasyadhārakāḥ śubhāḥ

—'be our messenger to the Self, O auspicious one. We, the five great elements, sustainers of the universe, blessed as we are—'

Verse 32 (padma.2.7.32)

भवतो मैत्रमिच्छंति इत्याभाष्य महामतिम् । गत्वा बुद्धे त्वया कार्यं कर्तव्यं न इतो व्रज

bhavato maitramicchaṁti ityābhāṣya mahāmatim gatvā buddhe tvayā kāryaṁ kartavyaṁ na ito vraja

—'desire your friendship with him.' Having addressed the great-minded Intellect thus: 'Go, O Intellect, this task is yours to accomplish; depart from here.'

Verse 33 (padma.2.7.33)

एवमस्तु महाभागा करिष्ये कार्यमुत्तमम् । एवमाभाषितं तेषां गत्वाऽहात्मानमेव तम्

evamastu mahābhāgā kariṣye kāryamuttamam evamābhāṣitaṁ teṣāṁ gatvā'hātmānameva tam

'So be it, O greatly fortunate ones; I shall accomplish this excellent task.' Thus addressed by them, Intellect went to that very Self and said—

Verse 34 (padma.2.7.34)

अहं बुद्धिर्महाभाग भवंतं समुपागता । दूतत्वे महतां पार्श्वात्तेषां त्वं वचनं शृणु

ahaṁ buddhirmahābhāga bhavaṁtaṁ samupāgatā dūtatve mahatāṁ pārśvātteṣāṁ tvaṁ vacanaṁ śṛṇu

—'I am Intellect, O greatly fortunate one; I have come to you as messenger from the side of those great ones — hear their word.'

Verse 35 (padma.2.7.35)

भवन्मैत्रीं समिच्छंति अक्षयां पंच आत्मकाः । कुरु मैत्रीं महाप्राज्ञ जहि ध्यानं सुदूरतः

bhavanmaitrīṁ samicchaṁti akṣayāṁ paṁca ātmakāḥ kuru maitrīṁ mahāprājña jahi dhyānaṁ sudūrataḥ

—'The five elements desire an everlasting friendship with you. Make friends, O greatly wise one, and cast Meditation far away.'

Verse 36 (padma.2.7.36)

ध्यानमुवाच- न कर्तव्यं त्वया चात्मन्नैतेषां वै समागमम् । एषां संसर्गमात्रेण महद्दुःखं भविष्यति

dhyānamuvāca- na kartavyaṁ tvayā cātmannaiteṣāṁ vai samāgamam eṣāṁ saṁsargamātreṇa mahadduḥkhaṁ bhaviṣyati

Meditation said: 'O Self, you must not enter into union with these. From mere contact with them great suffering shall arise.'

Verse 37 (padma.2.7.37)

मया ज्ञानेन हीनस्त्वं कथं कर्म करिष्यति । एवमेव न कर्तव्यं तेषां चैव समागमम्

mayā jñānena hīnastvaṁ kathaṁ karma kariṣyati evameva na kartavyaṁ teṣāṁ caiva samāgamam

'Bereft of Knowledge and of me, how will you act rightly? For this very reason, union with them must never be undertaken—'

Verse 38 (padma.2.7.38)

गर्भवासं नयिष्यंति भवंतं नान्यथा विभो । ज्ञानेनैव मया हीनो अज्ञानं यास्यसि ध्रुवम्

garbhavāsaṁ nayiṣyaṁti bhavaṁtaṁ nānyathā vibho jñānenaiva mayā hīno ajñānaṁ yāsyasi dhruvam

—'they will lead you to nothing other than dwelling in a womb, O mighty one; bereft of Knowledge and me, you shall surely fall into ignorance.'

Verse 39 (padma.2.7.39)

एवमुक्त्वा तमात्मानं विरराम महामतिम् । ततस्तामागतां बुद्धिमात्मा प्रोवाच निश्चितः

evamuktvā tamātmānaṁ virarāma mahāmatim tatastāmāgatāṁ buddhimātmā provāca niścitaḥ

Having said this to the great-minded Self, Meditation fell silent. Then the Self spoke resolutely to Intellect, who had come:

Verse 40 (padma.2.7.40)

ज्ञानध्यानौ महात्मानौ मंत्रिणौ मम शोभनौ । तत्र यानं न मे युक्तं तद्बुद्धे किं करोम्यहम्

jñānadhyānau mahātmānau maṁtriṇau mama śobhanau tatra yānaṁ na me yuktaṁ tadbuddhe kiṁ karomyaham

'Knowledge and Meditation are my great and excellent counselors; going there does not seem fitting to me. O Intellect, what shall I do?'

Verse 41 (padma.2.7.41)

एवं श्रुत्वा ततो बुद्धिस्तेषां पार्श्वे यशस्विनी । समाचष्ट समग्रं तत्कथनं ज्ञानध्यानयोः

evaṁ śrutvā tato buddhisteṣāṁ pārśve yaśasvinī samācaṣṭa samagraṁ tatkathanaṁ jñānadhyānayoḥ

Hearing this, that renowned Intellect went back to the five and reported to them the whole word of Knowledge and Meditation.

Verse 42 (padma.2.7.42)

ततस्ते पंचकाः सर्वे आत्मानं प्रतिजग्मिरे । मैत्रीमेव प्रतीच्छामो भवतो नित्यमेव हि

tataste paṁcakāḥ sarve ātmānaṁ pratijagmire maitrīmeva pratīcchāmo bhavato nityameva hi

Then all five themselves went to the Self and said: 'We desire your friendship, ever and always, O lord of the world.'

Verse 43 (padma.2.7.43)

यस्माच्छुद्धोसि लोकेश तस्मात्त्वां समुपागताः । स्वयमेव विचार्यैव उत्तरं नः प्रदीयताम्

yasmācchuddhosi lokeśa tasmāttvāṁ samupāgatāḥ svayameva vicāryaiva uttaraṁ naḥ pradīyatām

'Because you are pure, we have therefore come to you; consider this yourself, and give us your answer.'

Verse 44 (padma.2.7.44)

आत्मोवाच- यूयं पंचैव संप्राप्ता मम मैत्रं समिच्छथ । स्वीयं गुणं प्रभावं च कथयंतु ममाग्रतः

ātmovāca- yūyaṁ paṁcaiva saṁprāptā mama maitraṁ samicchatha svīyaṁ guṇaṁ prabhāvaṁ ca kathayaṁtu mamāgrataḥ

The Self said: 'You five have come and desire my friendship. Let each of you declare your own quality and power before me.'

Verse 45 (padma.2.7.45)

भूमिरुवाच- सर्वकार्यस्य संस्थानं चर्ममांससमन्वितम् । अस्थिमूलदृढत्वं मे नखलोमसमन्वितम्

bhūmiruvāca- sarvakāryasya saṁsthānaṁ carmamāṁsasamanvitam asthimūladṛḍhatvaṁ me nakhalomasamanvitam

Earth said: 'I am the foundation of every action, joined with skin and flesh; the firmness rooted in bone is mine, along with nails and hair.'

Verse 46 (padma.2.7.46)

प्रभावो हि महाप्राज्ञ कायमध्ये ममैव हि । नासिकागमनो गंधस्स मे भृत्यो महामनाः

prabhāvo hi mahāprājña kāyamadhye mamaiva hi nāsikāgamano gaṁdhassa me bhṛtyo mahāmanāḥ

'My power, O greatly wise one, lies within the body itself; the scent that reaches the nose is my very servant, O great-minded one.'

Verse 47 (padma.2.7.47)

आकाश उवाच- अहमाकाशकः प्राप्तो मम काये प्रभावकम् । श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि परब्रह्मस्वरूपिणम्

ākāśa uvāca- ahamākāśakaḥ prāpto mama kāye prabhāvakam śrūyatāmabhidhāsyāmi parabrahmasvarūpiṇam

Space said: 'I am Space, and I have come; my power lies within the body. Hear, I shall tell of it — I am of the very nature of the Supreme Brahman.'

Verse 48 (padma.2.7.48)

बाह्यांतरावकाशश्च शून्यस्थाने वसाम्यहम् । तत्रामात्यौ तु कर्णौ मे श्रवणार्थं प्रतिष्ठितौ

bāhyāṁtarāvakāśaśca śūnyasthāne vasāmyaham tatrāmātyau tu karṇau me śravaṇārthaṁ pratiṣṭhitau

'I am the void both without and within; I dwell in every empty place. There my two ministers, the ears, are established for hearing.'

Verse 49 (padma.2.7.49)

वायुरुवाच- पंचरूपेण तिष्ठामि करोम्येवं शुभाशुभम् । चर्मकायेस्थितोमात्यः स्पर्शं संश्रयते गुणम्

vāyuruvāca- paṁcarūpeṇa tiṣṭhāmi karomyevaṁ śubhāśubham carmakāyesthitomātyaḥ sparśaṁ saṁśrayate guṇam

Wind said: 'I abide in five forms, and thus bring about good and ill; my minister, residing in the skin of the body, governs the quality of touch.'

Verse 50 (padma.2.7.50)

तेज उवाच- काये संस्थः सदा नित्यं पाकयोगं करोम्यहम् । सबाह्याभ्यंतरं सर्वं द्रव्याद्रव्यं प्रदर्शये

teja uvāca- kāye saṁsthaḥ sadā nityaṁ pākayogaṁ karomyaham sabāhyābhyaṁtaraṁ sarvaṁ dravyādravyaṁ pradarśaye

Fire said: 'Abiding constantly in the body, I bring about digestion; I reveal all things, substantial and insubstantial, without and within.'

Verse 51 (padma.2.7.51)

शुक्रं मज्जा तथा लाला एवं त्वक्संधिसंस्थितम् । रुधिरं प्रेषयाम्येव कायमध्ये स्थितोस्म्यहम्

śukraṁ majjā tathā lālā evaṁ tvaksaṁdhisaṁsthitam rudhiraṁ preṣayāmyeva kāyamadhye sthitosmyaham

'Semen, marrow, and saliva, and blood residing in the skin and joints — these I send forth; I abide within the body—'

Verse 52 (padma.2.7.52)

तत्र नेत्रावमात्यौ मे द्रव्यलब्धिप्रसाधकौ । एवं मयात्मव्यापारस्तवाग्रे कथितः परः

tatra netrāvamātyau me dravyalabdhiprasādhakau evaṁ mayātmavyāpārastavāgre kathitaḥ paraḥ

—'there my two eyes are my ministers, accomplishing the perception of things. Thus has my own supreme function been declared before you.'

Verse 53 (padma.2.7.53)

जलमुवाचः- सुतोषयाम्यहं नित्यममृतेन कलेवरम् । एवं मे तत्र व्यापारः कायपत्तनके प्रिये

jalamuvācaḥ- sutoṣayāmyahaṁ nityamamṛtena kalevaram evaṁ me tatra vyāpāraḥ kāyapattanake priye

Water said: 'I ever satisfy the body fully with my nectar-like essence; such is my function in the citadel of the body, dear one—'

Verse 54 (padma.2.7.54)

अमात्यं रसनां विद्धि रसास्वादकरीं पराम् । नासिकोवाच- सुगंधेन परां पुष्टिं कायस्यापि करोम्यहम्

amātyaṁ rasanāṁ viddhi rasāsvādakarīṁ parām nāsikovāca- sugaṁdhena parāṁ puṣṭiṁ kāyasyāpi karomyaham

—'know the tongue to be my minister, supreme discerner of tastes.' The Nose said: 'By fragrance I bring about the supreme nourishment of the body too—'

Verse 55 (padma.2.7.55)

दुर्गंधं तु परित्यज्य काये गंधं प्रदर्शये । बुद्धियुक्ता महाभाग तस्याभावेन भाविता

durgaṁdhaṁ tu parityajya kāye gaṁdhaṁ pradarśaye buddhiyuktā mahābhāga tasyābhāvena bhāvitā

—'rejecting foul odor, I make fragrance manifest in the body. Joined with Intellect, O greatly fortunate one, I discern by its very absence—'

Verse 56 (padma.2.7.56)

स्वामिकार्याय कायेस्मिन्नहं तिष्ठामि निश्चला । गंधं मम गुणं विद्धि द्विविधं यत्प्रवर्तितम्

svāmikāryāya kāyesminnahaṁ tiṣṭhāmi niścalā gaṁdhaṁ mama guṇaṁ viddhi dvividhaṁ yatpravartitam

—'for my master's work I abide unmoving in this body. Know smell to be my quality, occurring in two kinds.'

Verse 57 (padma.2.7.57)

श्रवणावूचतुः- कार्याकार्यादिकं शब्दं लोकैरुक्तं शुभाशुभम् । शृणुयावः स्वकायस्थौ सत्यासत्ये प्रियाप्रिये

śravaṇāvūcatuḥ- kāryākāryādikaṁ śabdaṁ lokairuktaṁ śubhāśubham śṛṇuyāvaḥ svakāyasthau satyāsatye priyāpriye

The two ears said: 'Whatever sound is spoken by people concerning what should and should not be done, good or ill, true or false, pleasant or unpleasant — we, abiding in the body, hear it.'

Verse 58 (padma.2.7.58)

शब्दो हि मे गुणः प्रोक्तो मम व्यापारमेव हि । योजयामि न संदेहो यदा बुद्धिः प्रपूरयेत्

śabdo hi me guṇaḥ prokto mama vyāpārameva hi yojayāmi na saṁdeho yadā buddhiḥ prapūrayet

'Sound alone is declared to be my quality; this indeed is my very function. Whenever Intellect directs it, I carry it out, no doubt of it.'

Verse 59 (padma.2.7.59)

त्वगुवाच- पंचरूपात्मको वायुः शरीरेस्मिन्व्यवस्थितः

tvaguvāca- paṁcarūpātmako vāyuḥ śarīresminvyavasthitaḥ

Skin said: 'The wind, of five-fold nature, abides established in this body—'

Verse 60 (padma.2.7.60)

सबाह्याभ्यंतरे चेष्टां तेषां जानामि तत्त्वतः । शीतोष्णमातपं वर्षं वायोः स्फुरणमेव च

sabāhyābhyaṁtare ceṣṭāṁ teṣāṁ jānāmi tattvataḥ śītoṣṇamātapaṁ varṣaṁ vāyoḥ sphuraṇameva ca

—'and I know truly its movements both without and within — cold, heat, sunshine, rain, and the very throbbing of the wind.'

Verse 61 (padma.2.7.61)

सर्वं जानामि संस्पर्शं संगश्लेषादिकं नृणाम् । स्पर्श एव गुणो मह्यमेतत्सत्यं वदाम्यहम्

sarvaṁ jānāmi saṁsparśaṁ saṁgaśleṣādikaṁ nṛṇām sparśa eva guṇo mahyametatsatyaṁ vadāmyaham

'I know every kind of touch among men — contact, embrace, and the rest; touch alone is my quality — this truth I speak.'

Verse 62 (padma.2.7.62)

एवं हि ते समाख्यातो मया व्यापार एव हि । नेत्रे ऊचतुः-। संसारे यानि रूपाणि भव्याभव्यानि सत्तम

evaṁ hi te samākhyāto mayā vyāpāra eva hi netre ūcatuḥ- saṁsāre yāni rūpāṇi bhavyābhavyāni sattama

'Thus has my very function been declared to you.' The two eyes said: 'Whatever forms exist in this world, fair or unlovely, O worthy one—'

Verse 63 (padma.2.7.63)

यदा प्रेरयते बुद्धिस्तदा पश्याव नान्यथा । वसावः कायमध्ये वै रूपं गुणमिहावयोः

yadā prerayate buddhistadā paśyāva nānyathā vasāvaḥ kāyamadhye vai rūpaṁ guṇamihāvayoḥ

—'whenever Intellect impels us, then we see them, and not otherwise; we dwell within the body — form is our quality here.'

Verse 64 (padma.2.7.64)

एवं व्यापारसंबंधः कायमध्ये महामते । जिह्वोवाच-। बुद्धियुक्ता अहं तात रसभेदान्विचारये

evaṁ vyāpārasaṁbaṁdhaḥ kāyamadhye mahāmate jihvovāca- buddhiyuktā ahaṁ tāta rasabhedānvicāraye

'Thus is our function bound up within the body, O great-minded one.' The Tongue said: 'Joined with Intellect, father, I distinguish the varieties of taste—'

Verse 65 (padma.2.7.65)

क्षारमम्लादिकं सर्वं नीरसं स्वादु चिंतये । व्यापारेण अनेनापि नित्ययुक्ता वसाम्यहम्

kṣāramamlādikaṁ sarvaṁ nīrasaṁ svādu ciṁtaye vyāpāreṇa anenāpi nityayuktā vasāmyaham

—'salty, sour, and all the rest, tasteless and sweet — I discern them. Joined ever with this very function, I abide.'

Verse 66 (padma.2.7.66)

इन्द्रियाणां हि सर्वेषां बुद्धिरेषा प्रणायकः । एवं पंच समायातानींद्रियाणि प्रिये शृणु

indriyāṇāṁ hi sarveṣāṁ buddhireṣā praṇāyakaḥ evaṁ paṁca samāyātānīṁdriyāṇi priye śṛṇu

'This Intellect indeed is the leader of all the senses.' Thus, O dear one, hear how these five senses came—

Verse 67 (padma.2.7.67)

स्वीयानि यानि कर्माणि कथयंति पुनः पुनः । अथ बुद्धिः समायाता तमुवाच महामतिम्

svīyāni yāni karmāṇi kathayaṁti punaḥ punaḥ atha buddhiḥ samāyātā tamuvāca mahāmatim

—declaring, again and again, their own respective functions. Then Intellect came and spoke to that great-minded Self:

Verse 68 (padma.2.7.68)

मद्विहीनो यदा कायस्तदा नश्यति नान्यथा । तस्मात्त्वं मां समास्थाय वर्त्तयस्व महामते

madvihīno yadā kāyastadā naśyati nānyathā tasmāttvaṁ māṁ samāsthāya varttayasva mahāmate

'When the body is bereft of me, then alone does it perish, and not otherwise. Therefore, resting upon me, conduct yourself accordingly, O great-minded one.'

Verse 69 (padma.2.7.69)

अथ कर्म समायातमात्मानमिदमब्रवीत् । अहं कर्म महाप्राज्ञ तव पार्श्वं समागतम्

atha karma samāyātamātmānamidamabravīt ahaṁ karma mahāprājña tava pārśvaṁ samāgatam

Then Action came and said this to the Self: 'O greatly wise one, I am Action; I have come to your side—'

Verse 70 (padma.2.7.70)

त्वां प्रेषयाम्यहं तेन पथा येनेह गच्छसि । एवमाकर्ण्य तत्सर्वमात्मा प्रोवाच तान्प्रति

tvāṁ preṣayāmyahaṁ tena pathā yeneha gacchasi evamākarṇya tatsarvamātmā provāca tānprati

—'and by me you are sent upon the very path by which you go here.' Having heard all this, the Self spoke to them:

Verse 71 (padma.2.7.71)

यूयं पंचात्मकैर्युक्ताः सर्वसाधारणाः किल । कस्मान्मैत्रं समिच्छंति तत्र पंचात्मकं प्रति

yūyaṁ paṁcātmakairyuktāḥ sarvasādhāraṇāḥ kila kasmānmaitraṁ samicchaṁti tatra paṁcātmakaṁ prati

'You are all joined with the five elements, common to every being. Why then do those five elements desire the friendship of you five senses?'

Verse 72 (padma.2.7.72)

ब्रुवंतु कारणं सर्वे ममाग्रे सर्वमेव तत् । पंचात्मका ऊचुः-। अस्मत्संगप्रसंगेन पिंडमेव प्रजायते

bruvaṁtu kāraṇaṁ sarve mamāgre sarvameva tat paṁcātmakā ūcuḥ- asmatsaṁgaprasaṁgena piṁḍameva prajāyate

'Let all of you tell me the reason, all of it.' The five elements said: 'Through union and connection with us alone does a body come into being—'

Verse 73 (padma.2.7.73)

तस्मिन्पिंडे महाबुद्धे भवान्वसति सुव्रतः । तिष्ठामो हि वयं सर्वे प्रसादात्तव तत्र हि

tasminpiṁḍe mahābuddhe bhavānvasati suvrataḥ tiṣṭhāmo hi vayaṁ sarve prasādāttava tatra hi

—'and within that body, O great intelligence, O one of good vows, you yourself dwell; we too abide there, indeed by your very grace—'

Verse 74 (padma.2.7.74)

एतस्मात्कारणान्मैत्रमिच्छामस्तव नित्यशः । आत्मोवाच- एवमस्तु महाभागा भवतां प्रियमेव च

etasmātkāraṇānmaitramicchāmastava nityaśaḥ ātmovāca- evamastu mahābhāgā bhavatāṁ priyameva ca

—'for this reason we ever desire your friendship.' The Self said: 'So be it, O greatly fortunate ones; what is dear to you—'

Verse 75 (padma.2.7.75)

करिष्ये नात्र संदेहो मैत्रं हि प्रीतिकारणात् । वार्यमाणो महाभागो ज्ञानेनापि महात्मना

kariṣye nātra saṁdeho maitraṁ hi prītikāraṇāt vāryamāṇo mahābhāgo jñānenāpi mahātmanā

—'that I shall do, no doubt of it — I shall make friends purely out of affection.' Though forbidden by Knowledge and by the great soul Meditation as well—

Verse 76 (padma.2.7.76)

ध्यानेन च महात्मासौ तेषां संगतिमागतः । स तैः प्रमोहितस्तत्र रागद्वेषादिभिस्तदा

dhyānena ca mahātmāsau teṣāṁ saṁgatimāgataḥ sa taiḥ pramohitastatra rāgadveṣādibhistadā

—that great soul nevertheless entered into union with those five elements; deluded there by attachment, aversion, and the rest, he—

Verse 77 (padma.2.7.77)

पंचतत्त्वसमायुक्तः कायित्वं गतवान्प्रभुः । यदा गर्भं समायातो विष्ठामूत्रसमाकुले

paṁcatattvasamāyuktaḥ kāyitvaṁ gatavānprabhuḥ yadā garbhaṁ samāyāto viṣṭhāmūtrasamākule

—joined now with the five elements, that lord came to possess embodiment; and when he entered the womb, amid its filth of excrement and urine—

Verse 78 (padma.2.7.78)

दुर्गंधे पिच्छिलावर्ते पतितस्तैः स संयुतः । अंगेन व्याकुलीभूतः पंचात्मकानुवाच सः

durgaṁdhe picchilāvarte patitastaiḥ sa saṁyutaḥ aṁgena vyākulībhūtaḥ paṁcātmakānuvāca saḥ

—into that foul-smelling, slimy whirl, he fell, bound together with them; distressed in every limb, he said to the five elements:

Verse 79 (padma.2.7.79)

भोभोः पंचात्मकाः सर्वे शृणुध्वं वचनं मम । भवतां संप्रसंगेन महादुःखेन मोहितः

bhobhoḥ paṁcātmakāḥ sarve śṛṇudhvaṁ vacanaṁ mama bhavatāṁ saṁprasaṁgena mahāduḥkhena mohitaḥ

'Hear, O all you five elements, hear my word! Through union with you I have been overwhelmed with great suffering—'

Verse 80 (padma.2.7.80)

तत्रास्मिन्पिच्छिले घोरे पतितो हि महाभये । पंचात्मका ऊचुः- तावत्संस्थीयतां राजन्यावद्गर्भः प्रपूरयेत्

tatrāsminpicchile ghore patito hi mahābhaye paṁcātmakā ūcuḥ- tāvatsaṁsthīyatāṁ rājanyāvadgarbhaḥ prapūrayet

—'having fallen into this dreadful, slimy place, in great terror.' The five elements said: 'O king, remain here until the term of the womb is fulfilled—'

Verse 81 (padma.2.7.81)

पश्चान्निर्गमनं ते वै भविष्यति न संशयः । अस्माकं हि भवान्स्वामी कायदेशे व्यवस्थितः

paścānnirgamanaṁ te vai bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ asmākaṁ hi bhavānsvāmī kāyadeśe vyavasthitaḥ

—'afterward your emergence shall surely come, no doubt of it. You are indeed our lord, established in the domain of the body—'

Verse 82 (padma.2.7.82)

राज्यमेवं प्रकर्तव्यं सुखभोक्ता भविष्यति । तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा आत्मा दुःखेन पीडितः

rājyamevaṁ prakartavyaṁ sukhabhoktā bhaviṣyati teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā ātmā duḥkhena pīḍitaḥ

—'rule thus, and you shall become an enjoyer of happiness.' Hearing their word, the Self, tormented by suffering—

Verse 83 (padma.2.7.83)

गंतुमिच्छन्नसौ तस्मात्पलायनपरोभवत्

gaṁtumicchannasau tasmātpalāyanaparobhavat

—and desiring to leave that place, became intent upon escape.