pari-kulkarni/itihasa-sanskrit-en-filtered huggingface dataset:
Sanskrit: पाञ्चरात्रविदो ये तु यथाक्रमपरा नृप। एकान्तभावोपगतास्ते हरि प्रविशन्ति वै॥
English: They who conversant with the Pancharatra Scriptures, who are duly observant of the duties laid down therein, and who are whole-mindedly devoted to Narayana, succeed in entering into Narayana.
Sanskrit: सांख्यं च योगं च सनातने द्वे वेदाश्च सर्वे निखिलेन राजन्। सर्वैः समस्तैर्ऋषिभिर्निरुक्तो नारायणो विश्वमिदं पुराणम्॥
English: The Sankhya and the Yoga Systems are eternal. All the Vedas, again, O king, are eternal. The Rishis, in all these systems or religion, have said that this universe existing from ancient times is Narayana's self.
Sanskrit: शुभाशुभं कर्म समीरितं यत् प्रवर्तते सर्वलोकेषु किञ्चित्। तस्मादृषेस्तद्भवतीति विद्याद् दिव्यन्तरिक्षे भुवि चाप्सु चेति॥
English: You should know that whatever acts, good or bad, laid down in the Vedas and occurring in heaven and Earth, the sky between, and the waters, are all made by that ancient Rishi Narayana.
Sanskrit: जनमेजय उवाच वहवः पुरुषा ब्रह्मन्नुताहो एक एव तु। को ह्यत्र पुरुषः श्रेष्ठः को वा योनिरिहोच्यते॥
English: Janamejaya said O twice-born one, are there many souls or is there only one? Who, in the universe, is the foremost of Souls? What, again, is said to be the source of all things?
Sanskrit: वैशम्पायन उवाच वहवः पुरुषा लोके सांख्ययोगविचारणे। नैतदिच्छन्ति पुरुषमेकं कुरुकुलोद्वह॥
English: Vaishampayana said, In the Sankhya and the Yoga Systems many are the Souls spoken of. O preceptor of Kuru's race, those who follow these systems do not wish to assert that there is but one Purusha in the universe.
Sanskrit: बहूनां पुरुषाणां च यथैका योनिरुच्यते। तथा तं पुरुषं विश्वव्याख्यास्यामि गुणाधिकम्॥ नमस्कृत्वा च गुरवे व्यासाय विदितात्मने। तपोयुक्ताय दान्ताय वन्द्याय परमर्षये॥
English: Similarly in scriptures in which the many Souls are said to have one origin in the Supreme Soul, it may be said that this entire universe is at one with that one Soul of superior attributes. I shall explain this now, after bowing to my preceptor Vyasa, that foremost of Rishis, who is conversant with the soul, endued with penances, self-controlled, and worthy of respectful adoration.
Sanskrit: इदं पुरुषसूक्तं हि सर्ववेदेषु पार्थिव। ऋतं सत्यं च विख्यातमृषिसिंहेन चिन्तितम्॥
English: This speculation on Purusha, O king, occurs in all the Vedas. It is well-known to be at one with Rita and Truth. The foremost of Rishis, viz., Vyasa, has thought upon it.
Sanskrit: उत्सर्गेणापवादेन ऋषिभिः कपिलादिभिः। अध्यात्मचिन्तामाश्रित्य शास्त्रााण्युक्तानि भारत॥
English: Having occupied themselves with reflection on what is called the spiritual science, various Rishis, O king, having Kapila for their first, have declared their opinions on this subject both generally and particularly.
Sanskrit: समासतस्तु यद् व्यासः पुरुषैकत्वमुक्तवान्। तत् तेऽहं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि प्रसादादमितौजसः॥
English: Through the favour of Vyasa of great energy, I shall explain to you what Vyasa has said in brief on this question of the Oneness of Soul.
Sanskrit: अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। ब्रह्मणा सह संवादं त्र्यम्बकस्य विशाम्पते॥
English: Regarding it is cited the old discourse between Brahman, O king, and the Three-eyed Mahadeva.
Sanskrit: क्षीरोदस्य समुद्रस्य मध्ये हाटकसप्रभः। वैजयन्त इति ख्यातः पर्वतप्रवरो नृप॥
English: In the midst of the Ocean of milk, there is a very huge mountain of great effulgence like that of gold, known, O king, by the name of Vaijayanta.
Sanskrit: तत्राध्यात्मगति देव एकाकी प्रविचिन्तयन्। वैराजसदनान्नित्यं वैजयन्तं निषेवते॥
English: Going there all alone, from his own abode of great splendour and happiness, the illustrious god Brahman used very often to pass his time, engaged in thinking on the course of spiritual science.
Sanskrit: अथ तत्रासतस्तस्य चतुर्वक्त्रस्य धीमत। ललाटप्रभवः पुत्रः शिव आगाद् यदृच्छया॥
English: While the four-headed Brahman of great intelligence, as seated there, his son Mahadeva, who had originated from his forehead, met him one day in course of his travel through the universe.
Sanskrit: आकाशेन महायोगी पुरा त्रिनयनः प्रभुः। ततः खानिपपाताशु धरणीधरमूर्धनि॥
English: In days of yore, the Three-eyed Shiva endued with power and high Yoga, while proceeding along the sky, saw Brahman seated on that mountain and, therefore, dropped down quickly on its top.
Sanskrit: अग्रतश्चाभवत् प्रीतो ववन्दे चापि पादयोः। तं पादयोर्निपतितं दृष्ट्वा सव्येन पाणिना॥
English: With a cheerful heart he appeared before his progenitor and adored his feet. Seeing Mahadeva prostrated at his feet, Brahman took him up with his left hand.
Sanskrit: उत्थापयामास तदा प्रभुरेकः प्रजापतिः। उवाच चैनं भगवांश्चिरस्यागतमात्मजम्॥
English: Having thus raised Mahadeva up, Brahman, that powerful and one Lord of all creatures, then addressed his son, whom he met after long time in those words.
Sanskrit: पितामह उवाच स्वागतं ते महाबाहो दिष्ट्या प्राप्तोऽसि मेऽन्तिकम्। कच्चित् ते कुशलं पुत्र स्वाध्यायतपसोः सदा॥ नित्यमुग्रतपास्त्वं हि ततः पृच्छामि ते पुनः॥
English: The Grandfather said Welcome are you, O you of mighty arms! By good luck I see you after such a long time before me. I hope, O son, that everything is right with your penances, and your Vedic studies and recitations. You always observe the austerest penances. hence I ask you about the progress and well-being of those penances of yours.
Sanskrit: रुद्र उवाच त्वत्प्रसादेन भगवन् स्वाध्यायतपसोर्मम। कुशलं चाव्ययं चैव सर्वस्य जगतस्त्वथ॥
English: Rudra said O Illustrious One, through your grace, all is well with my penances and Vedic studies. It is all right, again, with universe.
Sanskrit: चिरदृष्टो हि भगवान् वैराजसदने मया। ततोऽहं पर्वतं प्राप्तस्त्विमं त्वत्पादसेवितम्॥
English: I saw your illustrious self a long while ago in your own home of happiness and effulgence! I am coming thence to this mountain that is not the habitation of your feet.
Sanskrit: कौतूहलं चापि हि मे एकान्तगमनेन ते। नैतत् कारणमल्पं हि भविष्यति पितामह॥
English: My mind is filled up with great curiosity for your thus coming into such a secluded mind from your usual religion of happiness and splendour. There must be great reason, O Grandfather, for such an act.
Sanskrit: किं नु तत्सदनं श्रेष्ठं क्षुत्पिपासाविवर्जितम्। सुरासुरैरध्युषितं ऋषिभिश्चरामितप्रभैः॥ गन्धर्वैरप्सरोभिश्च सततं संनिषेवितम्। उत्सृज्येम गिरिवरमेकाकी प्राप्तवानसि॥
English: Your own foremost of abodes is free from the pains of hunger and thirst and inhabited by both gods and Asuras, by Rishis of great splendour, as also by Gandharvas and Apsaras. Leaving such a spot of happiness, you live alone in this foremost of mountains. The cause of this cannot but be weighty.
Sanskrit: ब्रह्मोवाच वैजयन्तो गिरिवरः सततं सेव्यते मया। अत्रैकाग्रेण मनसा पुरुषश्चिन्त्यते विराट्॥
English: This foremost of mountains, called Vaijayanta, is always my abode. Here, with concentrated mind, I meditate on the one universal Soul of infinite proportions.
Sanskrit: रुद्र उवाच वहवः पुरुषा ब्रह्मंस्त्वया सृष्टाः स्वयम्भुवा। सृज्यन्ते चापरे ब्रह्मन् स चैकः पुरुषो विराट॥
English: Rudra said Self-create you are. Many are the Souls that haven been created by you. Others again, O Brahman, are being created by you. The Infinite Soul, however, of whom you speak, is one and single.
Sanskrit: को ह्यसौ चिन्त्यते ब्रह्मस्त्वयैकः पुरुषोत्तमः। एतन्मे संशयं ब्रूहि महत् कौतूहलं हि मे॥
English: Who is that foremost of Souls, O Brahman, that is being meditated by you? Great is my curiosity about it. Do you kindly remove the doubt that has possessed my mind!
Sanskrit: ब्रह्मोवाच बहवः पुरुषाः पुत्र त्वया ये समुदाहृताः। एवमेतदतिक्रान्तं द्रष्टव्यं नैवमित्यपि॥
English: Brahman said O son, many are those Souls of whom you speak. The one Soul, however, of whom I am thinking, transcends all Souls and is invisible.
Sanskrit: आधारं तु प्रवक्ष्यामि एकस्य पुरुषस्य ते। बहूनां पुरुषाणां स यथैका योनिरुच्यते॥ तथा तं पुरुषं विश्वं परमं सुमहत्तमम्। निर्गुणं निर्गुणा भूत्वा प्रविशन्ति सनातनम्॥
English: The many Souls that exist in the universe constitute the basis upon which that one Soul slands; and since that one Soul is said to be the source whence all the innumerable Purushas have originated, hence all the latter, if they succeed in divesting themselves of attributes, become competent to enter into that one Soul who is at one with the universe, who is supreme, who is the foremost of the foremost, who is eternal, and who is himself divested of and is above all qualities. 77977 Ryt fagd TH
Sanskrit: ब्रह्मोवाच शृणु पुत्र यथा ह्येष पुरुषः शाश्वतोऽव्ययः। अक्षयश्चाप्रमेयश्च सर्वगश्च निरुच्यते॥
English: Brahman said Listen, O son, as to how that Soul is indicated. He is eternal and immutable. He is undecaying and immeasurable. He pervades all things.
Sanskrit: न स शक्यस्त्वया द्रष्टुं मयान्यैर्वापि सत्तम। सगुणो निर्गुणो विश्वोज्ञानदृश्योह्यसौ स्मृतः॥
English: O best of all creatures, that soul cannot be seen by you or me, others. Those who are endued with the understanding and the senses but shorn of self-control and tranquillity of soul cannot see him. The Supreme Soul is said to be one that can be seen with the help of knowledge alone.
Sanskrit: अशरीरः शरीरेषु सर्वेषु निवसत्यसौ। वसन्नपि शरीरेषु न स लिप्यति कर्मभिः॥
English: Though shorn of body, He lives in every body. Though living, again, in bodies He is never touched by the acts done by those bodies.
Sanskrit: ममान्तरात्मा तव च ये चान्ये देहिसंज्ञिताः। सर्वेषां साक्षिभूतोऽसौ न ग्राह्यः केनचित् क्वचित्॥
English: He is my inner soul. He is your inner soul. He is the omniscient Witness living within all embodied creatures and engaged in marking their acts. No one can grasp or comprehend him at any time.
Sanskrit: विश्वमूर्धा विश्वभुजो विश्वपादाक्षिनासिकः। एकश्चरति क्षेत्रेषु स्वैरचारी यथासुखम्॥
English: The universe is the crown of his head. The universe is his arms. The universe is his feet. The universe is his eyes. The universe is his nose. Alone and singly, he passed through all bodies, unrestrained by any limitations on his will and as best as it likes him.
Sanskrit: क्षेत्राणि हि शरीराणि बीजं चापि शुभाशुभम्। तानि वेत्ति स योगात्मा ततः क्षेत्रज्ञ उच्यते॥
English: Kshetriya is another name for body. And because he knows all bodies as also all good and bad acts, therefore, he, who is the soul of Yoga, is called by the name of Kshetrajna.
Sanskrit: नागतिर्न गतिस्तस्य ज्ञेया भूतेषु केनचित्। सांख्येन विधिना चैव योगेन च यथाक्रमम्॥ चिन्तयामि गतिं चास्य न गतिं वेधि चोत्तराम्। यथाज्ञानं तु वक्ष्यामि पुरुषं तु सनातनम्॥ तस्यैकत्वं महत्त्वं च स चैकः पुरुषः स्मृतः। महापुरुषशब्दं स बिभत्र्येकः सनातनः॥
English: No one succeeds in perceiving how he enters into embodied creatures and how he goes out of them. According to the Sankhya mode, as also with the help of Yoga and the due observance of the ordinances prescribed by it, I am engaged in thinking of the cause of that Soul, but, alas, I am unable to comprehend that cause, excellent as it is. I shall, however, according to the extent of my knowledge describe to you that eternal Soul and his Oneness and supreme greatness. The learned speak of him as the one Soul. That one eternal Being deserves the appellation of the great Supreme Purusha.
Sanskrit: एको हुताशो बहुधा समिध्यते एकः सूर्यस्तपसो योनिरेका। एको वायुर्बहुधा वाति लोके महोदधिश्चाम्भसां योनिरेकः। स्तं निर्गुणं पुरुषं चाविशन्ति।॥
English: Fire is an element, but it may be seen to burn up in a thousand places under thousand different circumstances. The Sun is one and single, but his rays extend over the wide universe. Penances are of various kinds, but they have one common origin whence they have originated. The Wind is one, but it blows in various forms in the world. The great Ocean is the one parent of all the waters in the world seen under various circumstances. Shorn of qualities, that one Soul is the universe shown in infinitude. Originating from him, the infinite universe enters into that one Soul again who is above all qualities, when the time for its destruction comes.
Sanskrit: हित्वा गुणमयं सर्वं कर्म हित्वा शुभाशुभम्। उभे सत्यानृते त्यक्त्वा एवं भवति निर्गुणः॥
English: By renouncing the consciousness of body and the senses, by renouncing all acts good and bad, by renouncing both truth and falsehood, one succeeds in divesting oneself of qualities.
Sanskrit: अचिन्त्यं चापि तं ज्ञात्वा भावसूक्ष्मं चतुश्यम्। विचरेद् योऽसमुन्नद्धः स गच्छेत् पुरुषं शुभम्॥
English: The person who realises that inconceivable Soul and comprehends his subtile existence in the four-fold of Aniruddha, Pradyumna, Sankarshana, and Vasudeva, and who, on account of such comprehension, acquires perfect tranquillity of heart, succeeds in entering into, and identifying himself with, that one auspicious Soul.
Sanskrit: एवं हि परमात्मानं केचिदिच्छन्ति पण्डिताः। एकात्मानं तथाऽऽत्मानमपरे ज्ञानचिन्तकाः॥
English: Some persons endued with learning speak of Him as the Supreme Soul. Others hold Him as the One Soul. A third class of learned men describe Him as the Soul.
Sanskrit: तत्र य: परमात्मा हि स नित्यं निर्गुणः स्मृतः। स हि नारायणो ज्ञेयः सर्वात्मा पुरुषो हि सः॥
English: The truth is that He who is the Supreme Soul is always shorn of qualities. He is Narayana. He is the Universal Soul, and He is the One Purusha. He is never affected by the fruits of deeds as the leaf of the lotus is never drenched by the water one may throw upon it.
Sanskrit: न लिप्यते फलैश्चापि पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा। कर्मात्मा त्वपरो योऽसौ मोक्षबन्धैः स युज्यते॥
English: The acting Soul is different. That Soul is sometimes engaged in acts and when it succeeds in renouncing acts acquires Liberation or identity with the Supreme Soul.
Sanskrit: स सप्तदशकेनापि राशिना युज्यते च सः। एवं बहुविधः प्रोक्तः पुरुषस्ते यथाक्रमम्॥
English: The acting Soul is endued with the seventeen possessions. Thus is it said that there are innumerable kinds of Souls in due order.
Sanskrit: यत् तत्कृत्स्नं लोकतन्त्रस्य धाम वेद्यं परं बोधनीयं स बोद्धा। मन्ता मन्तव्यं प्राशिता प्राशनीयं घ्राता प्रेयं स्पर्शिता स्पर्शनीयम्॥
English: In sooth, however, there is but one Soul. He is the abode of all the ordinances in the universe. He is the highest object of knowledge. He is at once the knower and the object to be known. He is at once the thinker and the object of thought. He is the eater and the food that is eaten. He is the smeller and the scent that is smelled. He is at once he that touches and the object that is touched.
Sanskrit: द्रष्टा द्रष्टव्यं श्राविता श्रावणीयं ज्ञाता ज्ञेयं सगुणं निर्गुणं च। यद् वै प्रोक्तं तात सम्यक् प्रधानं नित्यं चैतच्छाश्वतं चाव्ययं च॥
English: He is the agent that sees and the object that is seen. He is the hearer and the object that is heard. He is the conceiver and the object conceived. He is possessed of qualities and is free from them. He is that, O son, which is named Pradhana (Nature), enduring, eternal, and immutable.
Sanskrit: यद् वै सूते धातुराद्यं विधानं तद् वै विप्राः प्रवदन्तेऽनिरुद्धम्। यद् वै लोके वैदिकं कर्म साधु आशीर्युक्तं तद्धि तस्यैव भाव्यम्॥
English: He it is who creates the prime ordinance about Dhatri himself. Learned Brahmanas call Him by the name of Aniruddha. Whatever acts of excellent merits and blessings, originate in the world from the Vedas, have been caused by Him.
Sanskrit: देवाः सर्वे मुनयः साधु शान्तास्तं प्राग्वंशे यज्ञभागैर्यजन्ते। अहं ब्रह्मा आद्य ईशः प्रजानां तस्माज्जातस्त्वं च मत्तः प्रसूतः॥ मत्तो जगज्जङ्गमं स्थावरं च सर्वे वेदाः सरहस्या हि पुत्र॥
English: All the gods, and all the Rishis, gifted with tranquil souls, occupying their places on the altar, dedicate to Him the first share of their sacrificial offerings. I that am Brahman, the primeval master of all creatures, have come into being from Him, and you have sprung from me. From me has originated the universe with all its mobile and immobile creatures, and all the Vedas, O son, with their mysteries.
Sanskrit: चतुर्विभक्तः पुरुषः स क्रीडति यथेच्छति। एवं स भगवान् स्वेन ज्ञानेन प्रतिबोधितः॥
English: Divided into four parts, (viz., Aniruddha, Pradyumna, Sankarshana, and Vasudeva), He sports as He pleases. That illustrious and divine Lord is such, awakened by His Own knowledge.
Sanskrit: एतत् ते कथितं पुत्र यथावदनुपृच्छतः। सांख्यज्ञाने तथा योगे यथावदनुवर्णितम्॥
English: I have thus answered you, O son, according to your questions, and according to the way in which the matter is explained in the Sankhya System and the Yoga Philosophy."
Sanskrit: युधिष्ठिर उवाच धर्माः पितामहेनोक्ता मोक्षधर्माश्रिताः शुभाः। धर्ममाश्रमिणां श्रेष्ठं वक्तुमर्हति मे भवान्।॥
English: Yudhishthira said You have, O grandfather, described to us the duties belonging to the Religion of Liberation. You should now tell us what the foremost duties are of persons belonging to the several modes of life.
Sanskrit: भीष्म उवाच सर्वत्र विहितो धर्मः स्वर्गः सत्यफलं महत्। बहुद्वारस्य धर्मस्य नेहास्ति विफला क्रिया॥
English: Bhishma said “The duties ordained with regard to every mode of life are capable, if well performed, of leading to heaven and the high fruit of Truth. Duties have many doors, and none of the practices enjoined by them fails to produce the desired effect.
Sanskrit: यस्मिन् यस्मिनश्च विषये यो यो याति विनिश्चयम्। स तमेवाभिजानाति नान्यं भरतसत्तम॥
English: Whoever adopts a class of duties with steady and firm faith, praises the duties adopted by him to the exclusion of the rest, О chief of Bharata's race.
Sanskrit: इमां च त्वं नरव्याघ्र श्रोतुमर्हसि मे कथाम्। पुरा शक्रस्य कथितां नारदेन महर्षिणा॥
English: This particular subject, however, which you wish me to describe was in days of yore the subject of conversation between the celestial Rishi Narada and the king of the gods, viz., Indra.
Sanskrit: महर्षिारदो राजन् सिद्धस्त्रैलोक्यसम्मतः। पर्येति क्रमशो लोकान् वायुरव्याहतो यथा॥
English: The great Rishi Narada, O king, adored of all the world, has been crowned with success. He wanders through all the worlds unimpeded, like the all-pervading wind itself.
Sanskrit: स कदाचिन्महेष्वास देवराजालयं गतः। सत्कृतश्च महेन्द्रेण प्रत्यासन्नगतोऽभवत्॥
English: Once upon a time he went to the abode of Indra. Duly honoured by the king of the gods, he sat close to his host.
Sanskrit: तं कृतक्षणमासीनं पर्यपृच्छच्छचीपतिः। महर्षे किंचिदाश्चर्यमस्ति दृष्टं त्वयानघ॥
English: Seeing him seated at his ease and free from exhaustion, the husband of Shachi addressed him, saying,-O great Rishi, is there any thing wonderful that has been seen by you, O sinless one?
Sanskrit: यदा त्वमपि विप्रर्षे त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्। जातकौतूहलो नित्यं सिद्धश्चरसि साक्षिवत्॥
English: O twice-born Rishi, crowned with ascetic success, you walk about moved by curiosity, through the universe of mobile and immobile objects, seeing all things.
Sanskrit: न ह्यस्त्यविदितं लोके देवर्षे तव किंचन। श्रुतं वाप्यनुभूतं वा दृष्टं वा कथयस्व मे॥
English: O celestial Rishi, there is nothing in the universe which you do not know. Do you tell me, therefore, of any wonderful event which you may have seen, or heard of, or felt.
Sanskrit: तस्मै राजन् सुरेन्द्राय नारदो वदतां वरः। आसीनायोपपन्नाय प्रोक्तवान् विपुलां कथाम्॥
English: Thus questioned, Narada, that foremost of speakers, O king, then began to recite to the king of the gods the extensive history that follows.
Sanskrit: यथा येन च कल्पेन स तस्मै द्विजसत्तमः। कथां कथितवान् पृष्टस्तथा त्वमपि मे शृणु॥
English: Listen now to me as I recount that story which Narada told before Indra. I shall describe it in the same way in which the celestial Rishi had described it, and for the same purpose that he had in view.”
Sanskrit: भीष्म उवाच आसीत् किल नरश्रेष्ठ महापद्ये पुरोत्तमे। गङ्गाया दक्षिणे तीरे कश्चिद् विप्रः समाहितः।
English: Bhishma said "In a beautiful town called by the name of Mahapadma which was situate on the southern side of the river Ganga, there lived, O best of men, a Brahmana of concentrated Soul.
Sanskrit: सौम्यः सोमान्वये वेदे गताध्वा छिन्नसंशयः। धर्मनित्यो जितक्रोधो नित्यतृप्तो जितेन्द्रियः॥
English: Born in the family of Atri, he was amiable by nature. All his doubts had been removed and he was well conversant with the path he was to follow. Ever practising the duties of religion, he had a complete hold over his passion. Always contented, he was the perfect master of his senses.
Sanskrit: तपःस्वाध्यायनिरतः सत्यः सज्जनसम्मतः। न्यायप्राप्तेन वित्तेन स्वेन शीलेन चान्वितः॥
English: Given to penances and the study of the Vedas, he was respected by all good men. He acquired riches by fair means and his conduct in all things tallied with the mode of life he led and the order to which he belonged.
Sanskrit: ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिविपुले सत्त्वाद्याश्रयसम्मिते। कुले महति विख्याते विशिष्टां वृत्तिमास्थितः॥
English: The family to which the belonging was large and famous. He had many kinsmen and relatives, and many children and wives. His conduct was always respectable and faultless.
Sanskrit: स पुत्रान् बहुलान् दृष्ट्वा विपुले कर्मणि स्थितः। कुलधर्माश्रितो राजन् धर्मचर्यास्थितोऽभवत्॥
English: Observing that he had many children, the Brahmana began to perform religious acts on a large scale. His religious observances, O king, were according to the customs of his own family.
Sanskrit: ततः स धर्मं वेदोक्तं तथा शास्त्रोक्तमेव चा शिष्टाचीर्णं च धर्मं च त्रिविधं चिन्त्य चेतसा॥
English: The Brahmana thought that there were three kinds of duties laid down for observances. There were, first, the duties ordained in the Vedas about the order in which he was born and the mode of life he was leading. There were, secondly, the duties sanctioned in the scriptures, viz., those especially called the Dharmashastras. And, thirdly, there were those duties that eminent and revered men of ancient times have followed, through not laid down either in the Vedas or the Scriptures.
Sanskrit: किन्नु मे स्याच्छुभं कृत्वा किं कृतं किं परायणम्। इत्येवं खिद्यते नित्यं न च याति विनिश्चयम्॥
English: Which of these duties should I follow? Which of thein, again, followed by me, are likely to produce my benefit? Which, indeed, should be my refuge? Thoughts like these always troubled him. He could not solve his doubts.
Sanskrit: तस्यैवं खिद्यमानस्य धर्मं परममास्थितः। कदाचिदतिथिः प्राप्तो ब्राह्मणः सुसमाहितः॥
English: While troubled with such thoughts, a Brahmana of concentrated soul and observant of every superior religion, came to his house as a guest.
Sanskrit: स तस्मै सक्रियां चक्रे क्रियायुक्तेन हेतुना। विश्रान्तं सुसमासीनमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
English: The house-holder duly respected his guest according to those ordinances of worship that are laid down in the scriptures. Seeing his guest refreshed and seated at ease, the host addressed him in the following words.
Sanskrit: ब्राह्मण उवाच समुत्पन्नाभिधानोऽस्मि वाङ्माधुर्येण तेऽनघ। मित्रत्वमभिपन्नस्त्वं किंचिद् वक्ष्याम तच्छृणु॥
English: The Brahmana said Osinless One, I have become greatly attached to you on account of the sweetness of your conversation. You have become my friend. Listen to me, for I wish to say something to you.
Sanskrit: गृहस्थधर्मं विप्रेन्द्र कृत्वा पुत्रगतं त्वहम्। धर्म परमकं कुर्यां को हि मार्गो भवेद् द्विज॥
English: O foremost of Brahmanas, making over the duties of a house-holder to my son, I wish to satisfy the highest duties of man. What, O twice-born one, should be my path?
Sanskrit: अहमात्मानमास्थाय एक एवात्मनि स्थितिम्। कर्तुं काङ्क्षामि नेच्छामि बद्धः साधारणैर्गुणैः॥
English: Relying upon the soul, I wish to acquire existence in the One Soul. Alas, fettered by the bonds of attachment, I have not the heart to actually perform that task.
Sanskrit: यावदेतदतीतं मे वयः पुत्रफलाश्रितम्। तावदिच्छामि पाथेयमादातुं पारलौकिकम्॥
English: And since the best portion of my life has passed away as house-holder, I wish to devote the remaining part of my life in acquiring the means of defraying the expenses of my journey in respect of the time to come.
Sanskrit: अस्मिन् हि लोकसम्भारे परं पारमभीप्सतः। उत्पन्ना मे मतिरियं कुतो धर्ममयः प्लवः॥
English: The desire has originated in my mind of crossing the ocean of the world. Alas, whence shall I get the vessel of religion?