The Story of Mukunda and the Barber

Verse 1 (padma.6.209.1)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच- सौभरे कस्य तीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं नारदो मुनिः । वर्णयामास शिबये शक्रतीर्थगतस्य च

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca- saubhare kasya tīrthasya māhātmyaṁ nārado muniḥ varṇayāmāsa śibaye śakratīrthagatasya ca

Yudhishthira said: 'O Saubhari, of which tirtha situated at Shakra-tirtha did the sage Narada relate the glory to Shibi?'

Verse 2 (padma.6.209.2)

अतस्तु मम शुश्रूषा जायते मुनिपुंगवः । शिविनारदसंवादं ब्रूहि पुण्यं नताय मे

atastu mama śuśrūṣā jāyate munipuṁgavaḥ śivināradasaṁvādaṁ brūhi puṇyaṁ natāya me

'O foremost of sages, thus a longing to hear it arises within me; tell it to me, who bows before you — that sacred dialogue between Shibi and Narada.'

Verse 3 (padma.6.209.3)

सौभरिरुवाच- धर्मराज शिबीराजा श्रुत्वा नारदवर्णितम् । द्वारकायास्तु माहात्म्यं तमेवापृच्छदादरात्

saubhariruvāca- dharmarāja śibīrājā śrutvā nāradavarṇitam dvārakāyāstu māhātmyaṁ tamevāpṛcchadādarāt

Saubhari said: 'O righteous king, King Shibi, having heard the glory of Dvaraka related by Narada, then asked him this with reverence—'

Verse 4 (padma.6.209.4)

शिबिरुवाच- ब्रह्मांगज सुरश्रेष्ठ श्रुतं माहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । इंद्रप्रस्थतटस्थाया द्वारकाया मयाद्भुतम्

śibiruvāca- brahmāṁgaja suraśreṣṭha śrutaṁ māhātmyamuttamam iṁdraprasthataṭasthāyā dvārakāyā mayādbhutam

Shibi said: 'O son born of Brahma, foremost among the gods, I have heard this wondrous and excellent glory of Dvaraka, which stands on the bank at Indraprastha.'

Verse 5 (padma.6.209.5)

अयोध्यायां यदि मुने किंचिदस्ति पवित्रकम् । चरितं मम तद्ब्रूहि पिपासोस्त्वद्वचोऽमृतम्

ayodhyāyāṁ yadi mune kiṁcidasti pavitrakam caritaṁ mama tadbrūhi pipāsostvadvaco'mṛtam

'O sage, if there is any sacred story at Ayodhya as well, tell it to me — I thirst for the nectar of your words.'

Verse 6 (padma.6.209.6)

नारद उवाच- अस्त्यत्र चरितं पुण्यं महापातकनाशनम् । नापितस्याद्ययुक्तस्य मुकुंदस्य द्विजस्य च

nārada uvāca- astyatra caritaṁ puṇyaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam nāpitasyādyayuktasya mukuṁdasya dvijasya ca

Narada said: 'There is here a sacred story, destroyer of the gravest sins — of a barber, wicked from the outset, and of the brahmin Mukunda.'

Verse 7 (padma.6.209.7)

ब्रह्महा नापितो राजन्नपमृत्युं गतो द्विजः । प्रसादात्कोशलायास्तु द्वावपि स्वर्गतिं गतौ

brahmahā nāpito rājannapamṛtyuṁ gato dvijaḥ prasādātkośalāyāstu dvāvapi svargatiṁ gatau

'O king, the barber, guilty of a brahmin's murder, and the brahmin who met an untimely death — by the grace of Kosala's river, both of them went to heaven.'

Verse 8 (padma.6.209.8)

चंद्रभागा नदी तीरे पुरी सा च निवेशिता । तत्रास्ति नापितः पापश्चंडकोनाम गर्हितः

caṁdrabhāgā nadī tīre purī sā ca niveśitā tatrāsti nāpitaḥ pāpaścaṁḍakonāma garhitaḥ

'On the bank of the river Chandrabhaga a city had been founded; there dwelt a sinful, despicable barber named Chandaka.'

Verse 9 (padma.6.209.9)

चौर्येण परवित्तानामपहर्ता स पापकृत् । घातकः शस्त्रपाशाद्यैः पांथानामवलुंठकः

cauryeṇa paravittānāmapahartā sa pāpakṛt ghātakaḥ śastrapāśādyaiḥ pāṁthānāmavaluṁṭhakaḥ

'That sinner stole the wealth of others through theft; he was a murderer, using weapons and nooses, and a plunderer of travelers on the road.'

Verse 10 (padma.6.209.10)

द्यूतमद्यरतो नित्यं परस्त्रीलंपटेंद्रियः । भित्वा देवालयं भित्तिमिष्टिका ग्राव विक्रयी

dyūtamadyarato nityaṁ parastrīlaṁpaṭeṁdriyaḥ bhitvā devālayaṁ bhittimiṣṭikā grāva vikrayī

'Ever given to gambling and drink, his senses lustful for other men's wives, he would break through temple walls and sell off the bricks and stones.'

Verse 11 (padma.6.209.11)

स तस्योद्वसिताभ्यासे ब्राह्मणो वसति श्रिया । संयुक्तो ब्रह्मकर्मज्ञो मुकुंदो नामतो नृप

sa tasyodvasitābhyāse brāhmaṇo vasati śriyā saṁyukto brahmakarmajño mukuṁdo nāmato nṛpa

'O king, near his dwelling there lived, in prosperity, a brahmin named Mukunda, learned in the rites of his order.'

Verse 12 (padma.6.209.12)

स एकदा समालिंग्य तरुणीमात्मयोषितम् । सुष्वाप सुरतायास श्लथांगो निशि निर्भयम्

sa ekadā samāliṁgya taruṇīmātmayoṣitam suṣvāpa suratāyāsa ślathāṁgo niśi nirbhayam

'One night, having embraced his young wife, his limbs relaxed and weary from lovemaking, he slept without fear.'

Verse 13 (padma.6.209.13)

स चंडको निशीथेऽथ प्रविवेश तदालयम् । मुकुंदस्य समाहर्तुं हर्म्ये भूषादि वस्तु यत्

sa caṁḍako niśīthe'tha praviveśa tadālayam mukuṁdasya samāhartuṁ harmye bhūṣādi vastu yat

'That Chandaka then, at midnight, entered his house, to carry off whatever ornaments and goods lay in Mukunda's mansion.'

Verse 14 (padma.6.209.14)

उपकार्या बहिस्थं यत्तद्गृहीत्वोऽगमद्गृहम् । स्वकीयं च पुनस्तस्य ब्राह्मणस्याविशद्गृहम्

upakāryā bahisthaṁ yattadgṛhītvo'gamadgṛham svakīyaṁ ca punastasya brāhmaṇasyāviśadgṛham

'Taking whatever lay outside in the outer chamber, he went to his own house; then he entered the brahmin's house once again.'

Verse 15 (padma.6.209.15)

कपाटोत्पाटनार्थी तु यत्नेन महताऽभवत् । लोहयंत्रावरुद्धश्च स नोद्धाटयितुं क्षमः

kapāṭotpāṭanārthī tu yatnena mahatā'bhavat lohayaṁtrāvaruddhaśca sa noddhāṭayituṁ kṣamaḥ

'Wishing to force the door open, he made a great effort; but, barred by an iron latch, he was unable to open it.'

Verse 16 (padma.6.209.16)

आरुरोह तदा तस्य ब्राह्मणस्याविशद्गृहम् । प्रविश्य तद्गृहं क्रूरः कृपणं पाणिनादधत्

āruroha tadā tasya brāhmaṇasyāviśadgṛham praviśya tadgṛhaṁ krūraḥ kṛpaṇaṁ pāṇinādadhat

'He then climbed up and entered the brahmin's house from above; entering the house, the cruel man held a dagger in his hand.'

Verse 17 (padma.6.209.17)

अट्टालिकां स पापिष्ठो नापितस्तस्करक्रियः । तत्रापश्यत्प्रसुप्तौ तौ दंपतीरतिविह्वलौ

aṭṭālikāṁ sa pāpiṣṭho nāpitastaskarakriyaḥ tatrāpaśyatprasuptau tau daṁpatīrativihvalau

'That most sinful barber, given to theft, entered the upper chamber; there he saw the couple asleep, deeply spent from their lovemaking.'

Verse 18 (padma.6.209.18)

जगाम च तयोः पार्श्वे हेमभूषाजिघृक्षया । शय्याया एकदेशस्थं गृहीत्वा भूषणं बहु

jagāma ca tayoḥ pārśve hemabhūṣājighṛkṣayā śayyāyā ekadeśasthaṁ gṛhītvā bhūṣaṇaṁ bahu

'He went up to their side, wishing to seize their golden ornaments; taking the many ornaments that lay at one edge of the bed—'

Verse 19 (padma.6.209.19)

हर्तुं तदंगतो हस्तं प्रससार स नापितः । तस्करस्पर्शतो विप्रो जजागार भयातुरः

hartuṁ tadaṁgato hastaṁ prasasāra sa nāpitaḥ taskarasparśato vipro jajāgāra bhayāturaḥ

'—the barber then reached out his hand to steal what lay upon their bodies too; at the thief's touch, the brahmin woke, seized with fear.'

Verse 20 (padma.6.209.20)

न किंचिदूचे संमील्य नेत्रे तत्रैव संस्थितः । यदा स तस्करः पापो गृहीत्वा देहभूषणम्

na kiṁcidūce saṁmīlya netre tatraiva saṁsthitaḥ yadā sa taskaraḥ pāpo gṛhītvā dehabhūṣaṇam

'He said nothing, and lay still there with his eyes closed. When that sinful thief, having taken the ornaments from their bodies—'

Verse 21 (padma.6.209.21)

चलितः स तदा तेन दोर्भ्यामात्तो द्विजेन हि । पश्चादागत्य वित्तस्यासहमानेन संक्षयम्

calitaḥ sa tadā tena dorbhyāmātto dvijena hi paścādāgatya vittasyāsahamānena saṁkṣayam

'—began to leave, the brahmin then caught hold of him with both arms; and the thief, coming back, unable to bear the loss of his loot—'

Verse 22 (padma.6.209.22)

तेनापि नृप चौरेण कृपाणेन हतो द्विजः । विदीर्णोदरमध्यस्तु तातमातरितीरयन्

tenāpi nṛpa caureṇa kṛpāṇena hato dvijaḥ vidīrṇodaramadhyastu tātamātaritīrayan

'—O king, that thief then struck the brahmin down with his dagger; his belly torn open, crying out for his father and mother—'

Verse 23 (padma.6.209.23)

वदंतः किंकिमेत्येतत्पार्श्वं तस्या ययुर्जनाः । ददृशुस्तं निःसृतांत्रं रुधिरालिप्तविग्रहम्

vadaṁtaḥ kiṁkimetyetatpārśvaṁ tasyā yayurjanāḥ dadṛśustaṁ niḥsṛtāṁtraṁ rudhirāliptavigraham

'—people, crying "What, what has happened?", ran to his side; they saw him, his entrails spilling out, his body smeared with blood.'

Verse 24 (padma.6.209.24)

पप्रच्छुश्च मुकुंदेदं कर्म केनेदृशं कृतम् । सोऽपि कृच्छ्रेण महता प्रोवाचेदं स्वबांधवान्

papracchuśca mukuṁdedaṁ karma kenedṛśaṁ kṛtam so'pi kṛcchreṇa mahatā provācedaṁ svabāṁdhavān

'They asked, "Mukunda, who has done this to you?" And he too, with great difficulty, spoke this to his kinsmen—'

Verse 25 (padma.6.209.25)

मुकुंद उवाच-। ममैव परिपाकोऽयं पूर्वोपार्जितकर्मणाम् । न कश्चित्सुखदुःखस्य दाता कस्यापि देहिनः

mukuṁda uvāca- mamaiva paripāko'yaṁ pūrvopārjitakarmaṇām na kaścitsukhaduḥkhasya dātā kasyāpi dehinaḥ

Mukunda said: 'This is merely the ripening of my own deeds, accumulated in past births; no one is truly the giver of pleasure or pain to any living being.'

Verse 26 (padma.6.209.26)

धर्मोऽधर्मश्च तावेव तेषां मूलं पुराकृतौ । नारद उवाच- इत्युक्त्वा स तु भूयस्यापीडया गाढपीडितः

dharmo'dharmaśca tāveva teṣāṁ mūlaṁ purākṛtau nārada uvāca- ityuktvā sa tu bhūyasyāpīḍayā gāḍhapīḍitaḥ

'Dharma and adharma alone are the root of all this, deeds done in a former life.' Narada said: 'Having said this, and now tormented by still greater agony—'

Verse 27 (padma.6.209.27)

तत्याज भूपते प्राणान्पश्यतां सुहृदां तदा । विललाप तदा तस्य माता द्विजसती नृप

tatyāja bhūpate prāṇānpaśyatāṁ suhṛdāṁ tadā vilalāpa tadā tasya mātā dvijasatī nṛpa

'—O king, he gave up his breath before the very eyes of his friends. Then, O king, his mother, that virtuous brahmin woman, fell to lamenting.'

Verse 28 (padma.6.209.28)

निधाय तच्छिरः स्वांके कुंडलाभ्यामलंकृतम् । मातोवाच- हा हतास्मि त्वया वत्स दशामंत्यां च गच्छता

nidhāya tacchiraḥ svāṁke kuṁḍalābhyāmalaṁkṛtam mātovāca- hā hatāsmi tvayā vatsa daśāmaṁtyāṁ ca gacchatā

'Placing his head, adorned with its earrings, in her own lap, the mother said: "Alas, my child, I am slain by your going to this final state—"'

Verse 29 (padma.6.209.29)

दिनश्रीरिव सूर्येण पश्चिमाचललंबिना । यदंगं चंदनालेपयोग्यं तव महामते

dinaśrīriva sūryeṇa paścimācalalaṁbinā yadaṁgaṁ caṁdanālepayogyaṁ tava mahāmate

'—like the day's beauty ended by the sun sinking behind the western hill. O great-minded one, this body of yours, once fit for the anointing of sandal-paste—'

Verse 30 (padma.6.209.30)

मां मज्जयार्तिशोकाब्धौ तदिदं धूलिधूसरम्

māṁ majjayārtiśokābdhau tadidaṁ dhūlidhūsaram

'—lies now covered in dust, plunging me into this ocean of grief and pain.'

Verse 31 (padma.6.209.31)

तांबूलचर्वणेभ्यासो यस्त्वया विहितस्त्वसौ । स एव रुधिरोद्गार मिश्रेण क्रियते ध्रुवम् । तव ये लोचने पूर्वं जिग्यतुः कमलश्रियम्

tāṁbūlacarvaṇebhyāso yastvayā vihitastvasau sa eva rudhirodgāra miśreṇa kriyate dhruvam tava ye locane pūrvaṁ jigyatuḥ kamalaśriyam

'That habit of chewing betel which you kept up — it now appears mingled, surely, with a gush of blood. Your eyes, which once outshone the very beauty of the lotus—'

Verse 32 (padma.6.209.32)

त एव सांप्रतं जाते तिमिरौघा वृते इव । उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ वत्स त्वं शिष्यानध्यापयात्मनः

ta eva sāṁprataṁ jāte timiraughā vṛte iva uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha vatsa tvaṁ śiṣyānadhyāpayātmanaḥ

'—those same eyes now seem covered by a mass of darkness.'

Verse 33 (padma.6.209.33)

यथावद्वैश्वदेवांते पूजयातिथिमागतम् । द्वारि स्थिता वयस्यास्ते त्वाह्वयंति प्रयाहि तान्

yathāvadvaiśvadevāṁte pūjayātithimāgatam dvāri sthitā vayasyāste tvāhvayaṁti prayāhi tān

'Rise, rise, my child, teach your own pupils; and, as is fitting, at the close of the Vaishvadeva rite, honor the guest who has come.'

Verse 34 (padma.6.209.34)

दातव्यं यद्ददस्वैभ्यो गृहीतव्यं गृहाण तत् । हाहा देहि प्रतिवचः पतामि तव पादयोः

dātavyaṁ yaddadasvaibhyo gṛhītavyaṁ gṛhāṇa tat hāhā dehi prativacaḥ patāmi tava pādayoḥ

'Your friends, standing at the door, are calling for you — go to them. Give what is to be given to them, and take what is to be taken.'

Verse 35 (padma.6.209.35)

नोचेदहं विमोक्ष्यामि प्राणांस्तव समीपतः । नारद उवाच- इत्युक्त्वा मूर्छिता तस्य मुकुंदस्य प्रसूस्तदा

nocedahaṁ vimokṣyāmi prāṇāṁstava samīpataḥ nārada uvāca- ityuktvā mūrchitā tasya mukuṁdasya prasūstadā

'Alas, alas! Answer me — I fall at your feet. If you do not, I too shall give up my life right here beside you.'

Verse 36 (padma.6.209.36)

भार्या तस्य शिरः स्वांके विधाय व्यलपच्च सा । भार्योवाच- नाममार्गेण पाथोधे मदीयं वचनं शृणु

bhāryā tasya śiraḥ svāṁke vidhāya vyalapacca sā bhāryovāca- nāmamārgeṇa pāthodhe madīyaṁ vacanaṁ śṛṇu

Narada said: 'Having said this, Mukunda's mother fell into a swoon; and his wife too, placing his head upon her own lap, began to lament.' The wife said: 'O ocean of virtue, hear these words of mine as I call out your very name.'

Verse 37 (padma.6.209.37)

रुष्टोऽसि चेत्समं मात्रा कुतो वद ममाग्रतः । न कदाचित्त्वया साधो मौनमीदृक्कृतं पुरा । केनापि लघुना भ्रात्रा ह्यपमानः कृतस्तव

ruṣṭo'si cetsamaṁ mātrā kuto vada mamāgrataḥ na kadācittvayā sādho maunamīdṛkkṛtaṁ purā kenāpi laghunā bhrātrā hyapamānaḥ kṛtastava

'If you are angry with your mother, then why do you not speak before me? O virtuous one, never before have you kept such a silence. Has some younger brother of yours done you some dishonor?'

Verse 38 (padma.6.209.38)

शुकोऽयं पंजरस्थस्ते नान्नमत्ति त्वया विना । भोजयैनं सुसिद्धान्नं कलवाचं च सारिकाम्

śuko'yaṁ paṁjarasthaste nānnamatti tvayā vinā bhojayainaṁ susiddhānnaṁ kalavācaṁ ca sārikām

'This parrot of yours, sitting in its cage, will not eat without you. Feed him well-cooked rice, and the sweet-voiced myna too.'

Verse 39 (padma.6.209.39)

रामराम हरेकृष्ण विष्णो नामावलीमिति । पाठयोत्तिष्ठ निपुणौ द्वावेतौ सारिकाशुकौ

rāmarāma harekṛṣṇa viṣṇo nāmāvalīmiti pāṭhayottiṣṭha nipuṇau dvāvetau sārikāśukau

'"Rama, Rama, Hare Krishna, Vishnu" — teach them this string of holy names; rise, for these two, myna and parrot, are clever pupils indeed.'

Verse 40 (padma.6.209.40)

अपराद्धं मया किं ते यत्वं मां नाभिभाषसे । यत्त्वया मे धनं दत्तं तन्मया साधुरक्षिणम्

aparāddhaṁ mayā kiṁ te yatvaṁ māṁ nābhibhāṣase yattvayā me dhanaṁ dattaṁ tanmayā sādhurakṣiṇam

'What offense of mine is this, that you will not speak to me? Whatever wealth you gave me, I have kept it carefully guarded.'

Verse 41 (padma.6.209.41)

अर्पितं यत्त्वया नाथ निजतेजो ममोदरे । सूतिकालमहं तस्य नोपेक्षे त्वामनुव्रजे

arpitaṁ yattvayā nātha nijatejo mamodare sūtikālamahaṁ tasya nopekṣe tvāmanuvraje

'O my lord, that seed of your own vital essence which you placed within my womb — its time of birth I shall not neglect; yet I now follow after you.'

Verse 42 (padma.6.209.42)

नारद उवाच- एवं विलप्य सा तस्य मुकुंदस्य प्रिया तदा । न रुरोद स्वभर्तारमनुगंतुमना सती

nārada uvāca- evaṁ vilapya sā tasya mukuṁdasya priyā tadā na ruroda svabhartāramanugaṁtumanā satī

Narada said: 'Having lamented thus, Mukunda's beloved wife wept no more; that virtuous woman, her mind now set on following her husband, fell silent.'

Verse 43 (padma.6.209.43)

अथ तस्य मुकुंदस्य गुरुर्वेदायनाभिधः । संन्यासी पर्यटन्पृथ्वीं तस्य वेश्म ययौ नृप

atha tasya mukuṁdasya gururvedāyanābhidhaḥ saṁnyāsī paryaṭanpṛthvīṁ tasya veśma yayau nṛpa

'Then, O king, Mukunda's guru, a wandering renunciant named Vedayana, roaming the earth, arrived at his house.'

Verse 44 (padma.6.209.44)

मुकुंदः क्व गतो माता भार्या तस्य च धीमतः । न दृश्यते तदा तेन पृष्टेत्याचष्ट चेटिका

mukuṁdaḥ kva gato mātā bhāryā tasya ca dhīmataḥ na dṛśyate tadā tena pṛṣṭetyācaṣṭa ceṭikā

'"Where has Mukunda gone? Where are that wise man's mother and wife? None of them are to be seen." When he asked this, a maidservant spoke.'

Verse 45 (padma.6.209.45)

चेटिकोवाच । स्वामिन्केनापि चौरेण मम स्वामी हतो निशि । स्नुषाया भूषणं नीतं दुकूलानि च सर्वशः

ceṭikovāca svāminkenāpi caureṇa mama svāmī hato niśi snuṣāyā bhūṣaṇaṁ nītaṁ dukūlāni ca sarvaśaḥ

The maidservant said: 'My lord, some thief killed my master in the night; he made off with all the daughter-in-law's ornaments and fine clothes as well.'

Verse 46 (padma.6.209.46)

स मृतः पतितो भूमौ हर्म्यस्योपरि तिष्ठति । तस्य माता वधूश्चैव भ्रातरश्च तदंतिके

sa mṛtaḥ patito bhūmau harmyasyopari tiṣṭhati tasya mātā vadhūścaiva bhrātaraśca tadaṁtike

'He lies dead, fallen to the ground, up in the upper chamber; his mother, his wife, and his brothers are there beside him—'

Verse 47 (padma.6.209.47)

विलपंति महाशोकसागरे पतिता गुरो । नारद उवाच- इत्याकर्ण्य परिव्राट्स वचनं चेटिकोदितम्

vilapaṁti mahāśokasāgare patitā guro nārada uvāca- ityākarṇya parivrāṭsa vacanaṁ ceṭikoditam

'—O master, lamenting, sunk in an ocean of great grief.' Narada said: 'Hearing these words spoken by the maidservant, that wandering ascetic—'

Verse 48 (padma.6.209.48)

आरुह्य हर्म्यमद्राक्षीदात्मांते वासिनं मृतम् । तदंतिके समालोक्य बंधूनां क्रंदतो भृशम्

āruhya harmyamadrākṣīdātmāṁte vāsinaṁ mṛtam tadaṁtike samālokya baṁdhūnāṁ kraṁdato bhṛśam

'—climbed up to the chamber and saw, lying dead there, the one who had dwelt at his side; and seeing his kinsmen weeping bitterly beside him—'

Verse 49 (padma.6.209.49)

उद्धरिष्यन्निदं धीरः शोकाब्धेस्तानुवाच ह । वेदायन उवाच- देहमुद्दिश्य वात्मानं शोकोऽयं क्रियते त्वया

uddhariṣyannidaṁ dhīraḥ śokābdhestānuvāca ha vedāyana uvāca- dehamuddiśya vātmānaṁ śoko'yaṁ kriyate tvayā

'—wishing to lift them out of this ocean of grief, that steadfast man spoke to them.' Vedayana said: 'Is this grief of yours over the body, or over the Self?'

Verse 50 (padma.6.209.50)

मातः कथय सत्यं मे नोभयोर्युज्यते हि सः । देहोऽयं भूतसंघातः प्रारब्धेः समुपार्जितः

mātaḥ kathaya satyaṁ me nobhayoryujyate hi saḥ deho'yaṁ bhūtasaṁghātaḥ prārabdheḥ samupārjitaḥ

'Tell me the truth, O mother — grief is not fitting for either of the two. This body is merely an aggregate of the elements, acquired through one's prarabdha karma.'

Verse 51 (padma.6.209.51)

तेषु क्षीणेषु भूतानां पृथक्त्वमुपजायते । यदेकीभवनं तेषां कर्मभिर्जन्म तन्नृणाम्

teṣu kṣīṇeṣu bhūtānāṁ pṛthaktvamupajāyate yadekībhavanaṁ teṣāṁ karmabhirjanma tannṛṇām

'When those causes are exhausted, the elements fall apart from one another; and it is their coming together, driven by past deeds, that is called birth for human beings.'

Verse 52 (padma.6.209.52)

तन्नाशे तत्पृथक्त्वं च तदेव मरणं स्मृतम् । एक्यं पृथक्त्वं भूतानां कर्मार्धा नेयतो? बुधैः

tannāśe tatpṛthaktvaṁ ca tadeva maraṇaṁ smṛtam ekyaṁ pṛthaktvaṁ bhūtānāṁ karmārdhā neyato? budhaiḥ

'When that aggregate is destroyed, that same coming-apart is called death. The coming together and coming apart of the elements proceed according to karma — this the wise understand.'

Verse 53 (padma.6.209.53)

अतो देहे न कर्तव्यः शोकः परवशे जडे । अनाद्यविद्यया जीवे दृष्टे मरणजन्मनी

ato dehe na kartavyaḥ śokaḥ paravaśe jaḍe anādyavidyayā jīve dṛṣṭe maraṇajanmanī

'Therefore, one should not grieve over the body, which is inert and dependent on other things. It is only through beginningless ignorance that birth and death appear to belong to the individual soul.'

Verse 54 (padma.6.209.54)

देहस्यात्मन्यहं बुद्ध्या मन्यते नहि तत्र ते । तन्निवृत्तौ स तद्ब्रह्म यच्छुद्धं रूपवर्जितम्

dehasyātmanyahaṁ buddhyā manyate nahi tatra te tannivṛttau sa tadbrahma yacchuddhaṁ rūpavarjitam

'Through the notion of "I", one takes the body to be the Self; but that notion does not truly belong there. When that false notion ceases, that very Self is Brahman — pure, and free of all form.'

Verse 55 (padma.6.209.55)

स्वप्रकाशं जगद्धेतु हेत्वतीतं गुणोर्जितम् । नित्यं विज्ञानमानंद स्वभासा भासयज्जगत्

svaprakāśaṁ jagaddhetu hetvatītaṁ guṇorjitam nityaṁ vijñānamānaṁda svabhāsā bhāsayajjagat

'It is self-luminous, the cause of the universe, beyond all causes, full of power; eternal, of the nature of consciousness and bliss — illuminating the world by its own light alone.'

Verse 56 (padma.6.209.56)

न जिह्वा लेढि तच्चक्षुर्न पश्यति शृणोति न । श्रुतिर्जिघ्रति न घ्राणं न त्वक्स्पृशति कर्हिचित्

na jihvā leḍhi taccakṣurna paśyati śṛṇoti na śrutirjighrati na ghrāṇaṁ na tvakspṛśati karhicit

'No tongue can taste it, no eye can see it, no ear can hear it; no nose can smell it, no skin can ever touch it.'

Verse 57 (padma.6.209.57)

अतीतमिंद्रियेभ्यस्तत्स्वप्रकाशकमात्मदृक् । अविषयं मनोदूरं बुद्धेरपि न गोचरम्

atītamiṁdriyebhyastatsvaprakāśakamātmadṛk aviṣayaṁ manodūraṁ buddherapi na gocaram

'It transcends the senses, is self-revealing, and is seen only by the Self's own vision; it is not an object of perception, it lies beyond the mind, and is not within the grasp even of the intellect.'

Verse 58 (padma.6.209.58)

तस्यावताररूपाणि शुद्धसत्वानि देवताः । सेवंते तन्न जानंति रूपं यत्सदसत्परम्

tasyāvatārarūpāṇi śuddhasatvāni devatāḥ sevaṁte tanna jānaṁti rūpaṁ yatsadasatparam

'The gods, pure in their very essence, worship its incarnate forms; but they do not know that ultimate form, which lies beyond both being and non-being.'

Verse 59 (padma.6.209.59)

एवं स्वरूपमात्मा यस्तं समुद्दिश्य कः कुधीः । क्रोधं कुर्याद्यतस्तस्य नोत्पत्तिर्नैव संक्षयः

evaṁ svarūpamātmā yastaṁ samuddiśya kaḥ kudhīḥ krodhaṁ kuryādyatastasya notpattirnaiva saṁkṣayaḥ

'Such being the true nature of the Self, what fool, bearing this in mind, would give way to anger — since that Self knows neither birth nor destruction?'