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Mahābhārata • Parva 12 (Śāntiparva) • Adhyāya 172

Śāntiparva Adhyāya 172

शान्तिपर्व • अध्यायः 172

Śāntiparva Adhyāya 172 of the classical Mahābhārata with 38 verses.

Total: 38 Verses • Citations: MBh 12.172.1–38 • 250 Lexicon Terms
केन वृत्तेन वृत्तज्ञ वीतशोकश्चरेन्महीम् । किं च कुर्वन्नरो लोके प्राप्नोति परमां गतिम् ॥
English Translation
Yudhishthira said O you who are an adept in the mystery a human conduct, tell me what course of person should pursue to succeed in this world, freed from grief. And how should he behave himself to gain his end?
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । प्रह्रादस्य च संवादं मुनेराजगरस्य च ॥
English Translation
Bhishma said Regarding it is cited the old discourse between father and son. Listen to it, 0 Yudhishthira.
चरन्तं ब्राह्मणं कंचित्कल्यचित्तमनामयम् । पप्रच्छ राजन्प्रह्रादो बुद्धिमान्प्राज्ञसंमतः ॥
English Translation
Once on a time king Prahlada endued with great intelligence, enquired of a wandering Brahmana of great intelligence and of a purified and tranquil soul.
स्वस्थः शक्तो मृदुर्दान्तो निर्विवित्सोऽनसूयकः । सुवाग्बहुमतो लोके प्राज्ञश्चरसि बालवत् ॥
English Translation
Prahlada said Shorn of desire, with a purified soul, of humans disposition, and given to the practices of self-restraint, without desire of action, free from malice, agreeable in speech, endued with dignity and intelligence and wisdom, you live (in simplicity) like a child.
नैव प्रार्थयसे लाभं नालाभेष्वनुशोचसि । नित्यतृप्त इव ब्रह्मन्न किंचिदवमन्यसे ॥
English Translation
You never covet for any kind of gain, nor are you overpowered with any kind of loss. You are always cheerful, O Brahmana, and do not seem to have any liking for anything in the world.
स्रोतसा ह्रियमाणासु प्रजास्वविमना इव । धर्मकामार्थकार्येषु कूटस्थ इव लक्ष्यसे ॥
English Translation
While all other creatures are being carried away in the stream of desire and passion, you are perfectly indifferent to all works of Religion, Profit and Pleasure. You seem to be in a state of quietude, having nothing to disturb the perfect equanimity of your soul.
नानुतिष्ठसि धर्मार्थौ न कामे चापि वर्तसे । इन्द्रियार्थाननादृत्य मुक्तश्चरसि साक्षिवत् ॥
English Translation
Regardless of all sensuous enjoyments, you move like an emancipated self, only witnessing everything, (but never taking part in anything).
का नु प्रज्ञा श्रुतं वा किं वृत्तिर्वा का नु ते मुने । क्षिप्रमाचक्ष्व मे ब्रह्मञ्श्रेयो यदिह मन्यसे ॥
English Translation
O sage, what is your wisdom, what your learning, and what your behaviour (through which all this has become possible)? Tell me this without delay, if, O Brahmana, you think it will conduce to my well-being.
अनुयुक्तः स मेधावी लोकधर्मविधानवित् । उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा प्रह्रादमनपार्थया ॥
English Translation
Thus questioned by by Prahlada, that intelligent Brahmana who was well-conversant with the duties of the world, answered him in words of melodious sounds and of great significance.
पश्यन्प्रह्राद भूतानामुत्पत्तिमनिमित्ततः । ह्रासं वृद्धिं विनाशं च न प्रहृष्ये न च व्यथे ॥
English Translation
Behold, O Prahlada, the origin of creatures, their growth, decay, and death, cannot be ascribed 10 any intelligible cause. It is for this reason that I do not give way to either joy or SOITOW.
स्वभावादेव संदृश्य वर्तमानाः प्रवृत्तयः । स्वभावनिरताः सर्वाः परितप्ये न केनचित् ॥
English Translation
All the propensities (for action) in the universe may be seen to come from the innate nature of the creatures. All things (in the universe are dependent on their respective nature. Hence I am not delighted with anything.
पश्यन्प्रह्राद संयोगान्विप्रयोगपरायणान् । संचयांश्च विनाशान्तान्न क्वचिद्विदधे मनः ॥
English Translation
Behold, O Prahlada, all kinds of union are subject to severance. All acquisitions are certain to end in destruction. Hence I never set my heart upon the acquisition of any object.
अन्तवन्ति च भूतानि गुणयुक्तानि पश्यतः । उत्पत्तिनिधनज्ञस्य किं कार्यमवशिष्यते ॥
English Translation
All things possessed of attributes are sure to come to an end. What remains there for å person then to do who (like me) is familiar with both the origin and the end of things.
जलजानामपि ह्यन्तं पर्यायेणोपलक्षये । महतामपि कायानां सूक्ष्माणां च महोदधौ ॥
English Translation
The end is noticeable of all aquatic creatures of large or small bodied in this ocean.
जङ्गमस्थावराणां च भूतानामसुराधिप । पार्थिवानामपि व्यक्तं मृत्युं पश्यामि सर्वशः ॥
English Translation
I see also the death, which is manifest, O chief of Asuras, of all things, mobile and immobile, belonging to the earth.
अन्तरिक्षचराणां च दानवोत्तम पक्षिणाम् । उत्तिष्ठति यथाकालं मृत्युर्बलवतामपि ॥
English Translation
O best of Danavas, death comes in season even to the strongest of winged creatures which float in the air.
दिवि संचरमाणानि ह्रस्वानि च महान्ति च । ज्योतींषि च यथाकालं पतमानानि लक्षये ॥
English Translation
I see again that the luminous bodies, large and small, which range the firmament, fall down when their time comes.
इति भूतानि संपश्यन्ननुषक्तानि मृत्युना । सर्वसामान्यतो विद्वान्कृतकृत्यः सुखं स्वपे ॥
English Translation
Seeing all created things to be ihus subject to death, endued with knowledge, and thinking all things to be possessed of the same nature, I sleep in comfort with no thought to disturb me.
सुमहान्तमपि ग्रासं ग्रसे लब्धं यदृच्छया । शये पुनरभुञ्जानो दिवसानि बहून्यपि ॥
English Translation
If I get without trouble a heavy meal I waver not to enjoy it. On the other hand, I am used to pass many days together without tasting anything.
आस्रवत्यपि मामन्नं पुनर्बहुगुणं बहु । पुनरल्पगुणं स्तोकं पुनर्नैवोपपद्यते ॥
English Translation
Sometimes people feed me with luxurious edibles in profusion, sometimes with a small quantity, sometimes even with less, and sometimes I get no food at all.
कणान्कदाचित्खादामि पिण्याकमपि च ग्रसे । भक्षये शालिमांसानि भक्षांश्चोच्चावचान्पुनः ॥
English Translation
I sometimes eat only a portion of a grain; sometimes the dry sesame cakes from which the oil has been expressed. I sometimes eat rice and meat and other food of the richest kind.
शये कदाचित्पर्यङ्के भूमावपि पुनः शये । प्रासादेऽपि च मे शय्या कदाचिदुपपद्यते ॥
English Translation
Sometimes I sleep on an elevated bedstead of the best kind; sometimes I sleep on the naked Earth; sometimes I lay myself down on a comfortable bed made within a fine palace or a beautiful mansion.
धारयामि च चीराणि शाणीं क्षौमाजिनानि च । महार्हाणि च वासांसि धारयाम्यहमेकदा ॥
English Translation
Sometimes I am clad in rages, sometimes in sackcloth, sometimes in raiments of fine texture, sometimes in deer-skins, sometimes in richest robes.
न संनिपतितं धर्म्यमुपभोगं यदृच्छया । प्रत्याचक्षे न चाप्येनमनुरुध्ये सुदुर्लभम् ॥
English Translation
I never reject such enjoyments as are not inconsistent with virtue and as can be secured without effort. I do not at the same time, stir myself for gaining objects difficult of acquisition.
अचलमनिधनं शिवं विशोकं; शुचिमतुलं विदुषां मते निविष्टम् । अनभिमतमसेवितं च मूढै;र्व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥
English Translation
The rigid vow I have betaken to, is called Ajagara. That vow can secure immortality. It is auspicious and griefless. It is peerless and pure. It is in harmony with the advises of the sages. It is disregarded by persons of weak intellect who never practise it. With pure heart I conduct myself in accordance with to it.
अचलितमतिरच्युतः स्वधर्मा;त्परिमितसंसरणः परावरज्ञः । विगतभयकषायलोभमोहो; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥
English Translation
My mind never swerves from this vow. I have not swerved from the practices of my order. I am abstemious in everything. I know the past and the present. Shorn of fear and anger and cupidity and errors of judgement, I practise this vow with a pure heart.
अनियतफलभक्ष्यभोज्यपेयं; विधिपरिणामविभक्तदेशकालम् । हृदयसुखमसेवितं कदर्यै;र्व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥
English Translation
There are no interdictions in respect of good and drink and other objects of enjoyment for one practising this vow. As everything is dependent on destiny, there is no observance of the consideration of time and place for one like us. The vow I practise contributes to true happiness of the heart. It is never followed by those that are wicked. I observe it with a pure heart.
इदमिदमिति तृष्णयाभिभूतं; जनमनवाप्तधनं विषीदमानम् । निपुणमनुनिशाम्य तत्त्वबुद्ध्या; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥
English Translation
Led by cupidity, men pursue different kinds of wealth. If foiled in the attempt, brokenhearted and dispirited the become. Thinking properly upon all this by the help of my intelligence which has penetrated the truths of things, I practise this vow with pure heart.
बहुविधमनुदृश्य चार्थहेतोः; कृपणमिहार्यमनार्यमाश्रयन्तम् । उपशमरुचिरात्मवान्प्रशान्तो; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥
English Translation
I have seen persons in distress seeking, for the acquisition of wealth, the shelter of both good and bad men. Devoted to tranquillity and with my passions under control, I observe this vow with a pure heart.
सुखमसुखमनर्थमर्थलाभं; रतिमरतिं मरणं च जीवितं च । विधिनियतमवेक्ष्य तत्त्वतोऽहं; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥
English Translation
Seeing by the help of truth, that happiness and misery, profit and loss, attachment, and renunciation, life and death are all ordained by destiny, I observe this vow with a pure heart.
अपगतभयरागमोहदर्पो; धृतिमतिबुद्धिसमन्वितः प्रशान्तः । उपगतफलभोगिनो निशाम्य; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥
English Translation
Shorn of fear and attachment and errors of judgement and pride, and possessed of wisdom, intelligence, and understanding, and devoted to tranquillity, and hearing that large snakes, without stirring out enjoy the fruit that comes to them of itself, I follow their practice with a pure heart.
अनियतशयनासनः प्रकृत्या; दमनियमव्रतसत्यशौचयुक्तः । अपगतफलसंचयः प्रहृष्टो; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥
English Translation
Without restrictions of any kind in respect of bed and food, endued by my nature with Self-restraint, abstemiousness, pure vows, truth and purity of conduct, and without any desire to store (for future use) the rewards of action, I observe, this vow with a delighted and pure heart.
अभिगतमसुखार्थमीहनार्थै;रुपगतबुद्धिरवेक्ष्य चात्मसंस्थः । तृषितमनियतं मनो नियन्तुं; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥
English Translation
All causes of grief have fled from me on account of my having ridden over desire. Having received an accession of light, I observe this Vow with a pure heart, for controlling my soul which is thirsty and uncontrolled but which is capable of depending upon itself.
न हृदयमनुरुध्यते मनो वा; प्रियसुखदुर्लभतामनित्यतां च । तदुभयमुपलक्षयन्निवाहं; व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि ॥
English Translation
Without paying any attention to the matters, towards which my heart, mind and words would like to lead me, and knowing that the happiness which these afford is both hard of being acquired and transitory, in duration, I follow this vow with a pure heart.
बहु कथितमिदं हि बुद्धिमद्भिः; कविभिरभिप्रथयद्भिरात्मकीर्तिम् । इदमिदमिति तत्र तत्र तत्त;त्स्वपरमतैर्गहनं प्रतर्कयद्भिः ॥
English Translation
Learned and highly intelligent men, desirous of giving a publicity to their own feats, have while supporting their own theories and censuring those of others, indulged in vague expressions in delivering themselves on the topic which is beyond the scope of argumentation.
तदहमनुनिशाम्य विप्रयातं; पृथगभिपन्नमिहाबुधैर्मनुष्यैः । अनवसितमनन्तदोषपारं; नृषु विहरामि विनीतरोषतृष्णः ॥
English Translation
Foolish men cannot properly understand this vow. I, however, see that it kills Ignorance. To safeguard against this immortality and various sorts of evil. I travel among men, having controlled all shortcomings and having freed myself from thirst thirst after material enjoyments.
अजगरचरितं व्रतं महात्मा; य इह नरोऽनुचरेद्विनीतरागः । अपगतभयमन्युलोभमोहः; स खलु सुखी विहरेदिमं विहारम् ॥
English Translation
That great person who, having freed himself from attachments and got rid of fear, cupidity, foolishness, and anger, follows this Ajagara vow, or indulges in this sport, as it may be called, surely spends his time in great happiness.'
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