Critical Edition
भीष्म उवाच स एवमुक्तो द्विपदां वरिष्ठो; नारायणेनोत्तमपूरुषेण जगाद वाक्यं द्विपदां वरिष्ठं; नारायणं लोकहिताधिवासम्
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said "Addressed by Narayana, that foremost of beings, in these words, Narada, the foremost of men, then said these words to Narayana for the behoof of the world.
यदर्थमात्मप्रभवेह जन्म; तवोत्तमं धर्मगृहे चतुर्धा तत्साध्यतां लोकहितार्थमद्य; गच्छामि द्रष्टुं प्रकृतिं तवाद्याम्
M. N. Dutt: Narada said Let that object be fulfilled for which you, O Self-born Being, have taken birth in four forms in the house of Dharma! I shall now go for seeing your original nature.
वेदाः स्वधीता मम लोकनाथ; तप्तं तपो नानृतमुक्तपूर्वम् पूजां गुरूणां सततं करोमि; परस्य गुह्यं न च भिन्नपूर्वम्
AI Translation: The Vedas have been studied by me, O Lord of the world; penance has been performed, no untruth has been spoken before. I always pay homage to the teachers, and have never before
गुप्तानि चत्वारि यथागमं मे; शत्रौ च मित्रे च समोऽस्मि नित्यम् तं चादिदेवं सततं प्रपन्न; एकान्तभावेन वृणोम्यजस्रम् एभिर्विशेषैः परिशुद्धसत्त्वः; कस्मान्न पश्येयमनन्तमीशम्
M. N. Dutt: As laid down in the scriptures, I have always protected the four that should be protected. I always treat impartially friends and enemies. Wholly and surely given to Him, that first of gods, viz., the Supreme Soul, I incessantly worship Him.
तत्पारमेष्ठ्यस्य वचो निशम्य; नारायणः सात्वतधर्मगोप्ता गच्छेति तं नारदमुक्तवान्स; संपूजयित्वात्मविधिक्रियाभिः
AI Translation: Hearing those words of Parameshtha, Narayana, the protector of the Sattva Dharma, said to Narada, "Go," after worshipping him with the rites of his own duty.
Supplementary Passages:
12.322.5 After 5ab, M5 ins.: *801 तस्मादनुज्ञां मम देहि देव तं वै दृष्ट्वा कृतकृत्यो भवामि
ततो विसृष्टः परमेष्ठिपुत्रः; सोऽभ्यर्चयित्वा तमृषिं पुराणम् खमुत्पपातोत्तमवेगयुक्त;स्ततोऽधिमेरौ सहसा निलिल्ये
AI Translation: Then the son of the Supreme Being, having been dismissed, having worshipped that ancient sage, rose up into the sky with the highest speed, and then suddenly sank down on the mountain Meru.
तत्रावतस्थे च मुनिर्मुहूर्त;मेकान्तमासाद्य गिरेः स शृङ्गे आलोकयन्नुत्तरपश्चिमेन; ददर्श चात्यद्भुतरूपयुक्तम्
AI Translation: There the sage stood for a moment, having gone to a secluded place on the peak of the mountain, Looking towards the northwest, he saw one endowed with a very wonderful form,
क्षीरोदधेरुत्तरतो हि द्वीपः; श्वेतः स नाम्ना प्रथितो विशालः मेरोः सहस्रैः स हि योजनानां; द्वात्रिंशतोर्ध्वं कविभिर्निरुक्तः
AI Translation: To the north of the Milky Ocean is the island called Śveta, which is vast and famous. It is said by the sages to be thirty-two thousand yojanas above Meru.
अतीन्द्रियाश्चानशनाश्च तत्र; निष्पन्दहीनाः सुसुगन्धिनश्च श्वेताः पुमांसो गतसर्वपापा;श्चक्षुर्मुषः पापकृतां नराणाम्
AI Translation: They are beyond the senses, without eating, without movement, and very fragrant. They are white, male, free from all sins, and blind to the sinful acts of men.
वज्रास्थिकायाः सममानोन्माना; दिव्यान्वयरूपाः शुभसारोपेताः छत्राकृतिशीर्षा मेघौघनिनादाः; सत्पुष्करचतुष्का राजीवशतपादाः
AI Translation: with the same measure of height and width, with divine forms, endowed with good essence, with heads shaped like umbrellas, with the sound of a mass of clouds, with four good lotus flowers
षष्ट्या दन्तैर्युक्ताः शुक्लै;रष्टाभिर्दंष्ट्राभिर्ये जिह्वाभिर्ये विष्वग्वक्त्रं; लेलिह्यन्ते सूर्यप्रख्यम्
M. N. Dutt: Their heads seem to be like umbrellas. Their voices are deep like that of the clouds. Each of them have four testes. The soles of their feet have hundreds of lines. They had sixty white teeth, and eight small ones. They had many tongues. With those tongues they seemed to lick the very Sun whose face is turned towards all sides.
भक्त्या देवं विश्वोत्पन्नं; यस्मात्सर्वे लोकाः सूताः वेदा धर्मा मुनयः शान्ता; देवाः सर्वे तस्य विसर्गाः
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, they seemed to be capable of devouring that great god from whom has originated the entire universe, the Vedas, the duties, and the ascetics possessing the quality of tranquillity.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच अतीन्द्रिया निराहारा अनिष्पन्दाः सुगन्धिनः कथं ते पुरुषा जाताः का तेषां गतिरुत्तमा
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said are “O grand-father, you have said that those beings have no senses, that they do not eat anything for maintaining their lives; that their eyes are winkless, and that they always emit excellent perfumes. I ask, how were they born? What also is the superior end which they acquire?
ये विमुक्ता भवन्तीह नरा भरतसत्तम तेषां लक्षणमेतद्धि यच्छ्वेतद्वीपवासिनाम्
M. N. Dutt: O chief of Bharata's race, the characteristics of those men that become liberated the same as those by which the inhabitants of the White Island are distinguished?
तस्मान्मे संशयं छिन्धि परं कौतूहलं हि मे त्वं हि सर्वकथारामस्त्वां चैवोपाश्रिता वयम्
M. N. Dutt: Do you remove my doubts! The curiosity I feel is very great. You are the repository of all histories and narratives. As regards ourselves, we entirely depend on you for knowledge and instruction.
भीष्म उवाच विस्तीर्णैषा कथा राजञ्श्रुता मे पितृसंनिधौ सैषा तव हि वक्तव्या कथासारो हि स स्मृतः
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said "This narrative, O king, which I have heard from my father, is extensive. I shall now recite it to you. Indeed, it is considered as the cream of all narratives.
Supplementary Passages:
12.322.16 After 16, T G1-3.6 M6 Kumbh. ed. ins.: *802 शंतनोः कथयामास नारदो मुनिसत्तमः राज्ञा पृष्टः पुरा प्राह तत्राहं श्रुतवान्पुरा
राजोपरिचरो नाम बभूवाधिपतिर्भुवः आखण्डलसखः ख्यातो भक्तो नारायणं हरिम्
M. N. Dutt: There was, in days of yore, a king on Earth, Uparichara, by name. He was known to be the friend, of Indra the king of gods. He was devoted to Narayana called also by the name of Hari.
धार्मिको नित्यभक्तश्च पितॄन्नित्यमतन्द्रितः साम्राज्यं तेन संप्राप्तं नारायणवरात्पुरा
M. N. Dutt: He used to discharge all the duties laid down in the scriptures. Ever devoted to his father, was always ready for action. He acquired sovereignty of the world on account of a boon he had obtained from Narayana.
सात्वतं विधिमास्थाय प्राक्सूर्यमुखनिःसृतम् पूजयामास देवेशं तच्छेषेण पितामहान्
M. N. Dutt: Following the Satvata ritual that had been declared in days of yore by the Sun himself, king Uparichara used to adore the God of gods, and after his worship was over, to adore the Grandfather of the universe.
पितृशेषेण विप्रांश्च संविभज्याश्रितांश्च सः शेषान्नभुक्सत्यपरः सर्वभूतेष्वहिंसकः सर्वभावेन भक्तः स देवदेवं जनार्दनम्
M. N. Dutt: After adoring the departed manes, he adored the Brahmanas. He then divided the offerings among those who depended on him. With the remnant after serving those, the king satisfied his own hunger. Given to truth, the king abstained from doing any injury to any creature.
Supplementary Passages:
12.322.20 After 20, K6 B0.6-9 Da3.a4 Dn1.n4 Ds D2.3.5.8 T G1-3.6 M1.5-7 editions ins.: *803 अनादिमध्यनिधनं लोककर्तारमव्ययम्
तस्य नारायणे भक्तिं वहतोऽमित्रकर्शन एकशय्यासनं शक्रो दत्तवान्देवराट्स्वयम्
M. N. Dutt: Seeing the devotion to Narayana of that destroyer of foes, the divine king of the gods himself shared with him his own seat and bed.
आत्मा राज्यं धनं चैव कलत्रं वाहनानि च एतद्भगवते सर्वमिति तत्प्रेक्षितं सदा
M. N. Dutt: His kingdom and riches and wives and animals were all considered by him as obtained from Narayana. He, therefore, offered all his belongings to that great god.
काम्यनैमित्तिकाजस्रं यज्ञियाः परमक्रियाः सर्वाः सात्वतमास्थाय विधिं चक्रे समाहितः
M. N. Dutt: Adopting the Satvata ritual, king Uparichara, with concentrated soul, used to perform all his sacrificial acts and observances, both optional and obligatory.
पञ्चरात्रविदो मुख्यास्तस्य गेहे महात्मनः प्रायणं भगवत्प्रोक्तं भुञ्जते चाग्रभोजनम्
M. N. Dutt: Many foremost Brahmanas, well conversant with the Pancharatra ritual, used to eat before all others the food offered to the god Narayana in the palace of that illustrious king.
तस्य प्रशासतो राज्यं धर्मेणामित्रघातिनः नानृता वाक्समभवन्मनो दुष्टं न चाभवत् न च कायेन कृतवान्स पापं परमण्वपि
M. N. Dutt: As long as that destroyer of enemies continued to rule his kingdom piously, no falsehood ever escaped his lips and no evil thought ever entered his mind.
ये हि ते मुनयः ख्याताः सप्त चित्रशिखण्डिनः तैरेकमतिभिर्भूत्वा यत्प्रोक्तं शास्त्रमुत्तमम्
AI Translation: Those sages who are known as the seven with colorful crests, Having become of one mind, they proclaimed the supreme scripture,
Supplementary Passages:
12.322.26 After 26, K6.7 B0.6-9 Da3. a4 Dn1.n4 Ds D2.3.4 (twice up to saptabhi in line 2, prior half).5.8.9 M1.5-7 Ca editions ins.: *804 वेदैश्चतुर्भिः समितं कृतं मेरौ महागिरौ आस्यैः सप्तभिरुद्गीर्णं लोकधर्ममनुत्तमम्
मरीचिरत्र्यङ्गिरसौ पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः वसिष्ठश्च महातेजा एते चित्रशिखण्डिनः
AI Translation: Marīci, Atri, Aṅgiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and the very radiant Vasiṣṭha—these are the ones with colorful crests.
सप्त प्रकृतयो ह्येतास्तथा स्वायंभुवोऽष्टमः एताभिर्धार्यते लोकस्ताभ्यः शास्त्रं विनिःसृतम्
AI Translation: These seven are the Prakritis, and the eighth is Svayambhu. The world is supported by these, and from them the scriptures have emerged.
एकाग्रमनसो दान्ता मुनयः संयमे रताः इदं श्रेय इदं ब्रह्म इदं हितमनुत्तमम् लोकान्संचिन्त्य मनसा ततः शास्त्रं प्रचक्रिरे
M. N. Dutt: This is good, This is Brahma,—-This is highly beneficial,-reflecting thus in their minds, those Rishis created the worlds, and the science of morality and duty that governs those worlds.
Supplementary Passages:
12.322.29 After 29ab, K6 B0.6-9 Da3.a4 Dn1.n4 Ds D2.3.5.8 editions ins.: *805 भूतभव्यभविष्यज्ञाः सत्यधर्मपरायणाः
तत्र धर्मार्थकामा हि मोक्षः पश्चाच्च कीर्तितः मर्यादा विविधाश्चैव दिवि भूमौ च संस्थिताः
M. N. Dutt: In that work the authors discoursed on Religion and Profit and Pleasure, and subsequently on Liberation also. The various restrictions and limitations were also laid down in it for the Earth as also for Heaven.
आराध्य तपसा देवं हरिं नारायणं प्रभुम् दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं वै सर्वे ते ऋषिभिः सह
M. N. Dutt: They wrote that work after having adored with penances the powerful and illustrious Narayana called also Hari, for a thousand divine years, in company with many other Rishis.
नारायणानुशास्ता हि तदा देवी सरस्वती विवेश तानृषीन्सर्वाँल्लोकानां हितकाम्यया
M. N. Dutt: Pleased with their penances and adoration, Narayana ordered the goddess of speech, viz., Sarasvati, to enter into the bodies of those Rishis. The goddess, for the behoof of the worlds, did what she ordered.
ततः प्रवर्तिता सम्यक्तपोविद्भिर्द्विजातिभिः शब्दे चार्थे च हेतौ च एषा प्रथमसर्गजा
M. N. Dutt: On account of the entrance of the goddess of speech into their bodies, those Rishis, well conversant with penances, succeeded in composing that foremost of works in respect of words, senses and reason.
आदावेव हि तच्छास्त्रमोंकारस्वरभूषितम् ऋषिभिर्भावितं तत्र यत्र कारुणिको ह्यसौ
M. N. Dutt: Having composed that work sanctified with the syllable OM, the Rishis first of all read it to Narayana, who heard them from kindness.
ततः प्रसन्नो भगवाननिर्दिष्टशरीरगः ऋषीनुवाच तान्सर्वानदृश्यः पुरुषोत्तमः
AI Translation: Then the Blessed One, who had entered the body of the one who was not to be indicated, spoke to all those sages, the invisible Supreme Person.
कृतं शतसहस्रं हि श्लोकानामिदमुत्तमम् लोकतन्त्रस्य कृत्स्नस्य यस्माद्धर्मः प्रवर्तते
AI Translation: This excellent one has a hundred thousand verses, because from it the Dharma of the entire worldly system proceeds.
प्रवृत्तौ च निवृत्तौ च योनिरेतद्भविष्यति ऋग्यजुःसामभिर्जुष्टमथर्वाङ्गिरसैस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: Perfectly following the four Vedas, viz., the Yajushes, the Richs, the Samans, and the Atharvans of Angiras, this work of yours will be an authority in all the worlds with regard to both Work and Renunciation.
तथा प्रमाणं हि मया कृतो ब्रह्मा प्रसादजः रुद्रश्च क्रोधजो विप्रा यूयं प्रकृतयस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: According to the authority of the scriptures I have created Brahman from the attribute of Grace, Rudra from my anger, and yourselves, ye Brahmanas, as representing the elements.
सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ वायुर्भूमिरापोऽग्निरेव च सर्वे च नक्षत्रगणा यच्च भूताभिशब्दितम्
AI Translation: The sun and moon, the wind, the earth, the water, the fire, and all the groups of stars, and whatever is called the elements,
अधिकारेषु वर्तन्ते यथास्वं ब्रह्मवादिनः सर्वे प्रमाणं हि यथा तथैतच्छास्त्रमुत्तमम्
AI Translation: The proponents of Brahman abide in their respective positions. This scripture is the highest authority, just as all other authorities are.
भविष्यति प्रमाणं वै एतन्मदनुशासनम् अस्मात्प्रवक्ष्यते धर्मान्मनुः स्वायंभुवः स्वयम्
AI Translation: This will be the authority for my instructions. From this, Manu, the self-existent one, will himself proclaim the Dharma.
उशना बृहस्पतिश्चैव यदोत्पन्नौ भविष्यतः तदा प्रवक्ष्यतः शास्त्रं युष्मन्मतिभिरुद्धृतम्
M. N. Dutt: When Ushanas and Brihaspati will be born, they also will promulgate their respective work on morality and religion, guided by and quoting from this your work.
स्वायंभुवेषु धर्मेषु शास्त्रे चोशनसा कृते बृहस्पतिमते चैव लोकेषु प्रविचारिते
AI Translation: In the self-originated Dharma, in the treatise composed by Ushanas, and in the opinion of Brihaspati, it is well-considered in the worlds.
युष्मत्कृतमिदं शास्त्रं प्रजापालो वसुस्ततः बृहस्पतिसकाशाद्वै प्राप्स्यते द्विजसत्तमाः
AI Translation: This scripture composed by you will be obtained by Prajapala Vasu from Brihaspati, O best of Brahmanas.
स हि मद्भावितो राजा मद्भक्तश्च भविष्यति तेन शास्त्रेण लोकेषु क्रियाः सर्वाः करिष्यति
M. N. Dutt: Filled with all good thoughts, that king will become deeply devoted to me. Guided by this work, he will perform all his religious deeds and observance.
एतद्धि सर्वशास्त्राणां शास्त्रमुत्तमसंज्ञितम् एतदर्थ्यं च धर्म्यं च यशस्यं चैतदुत्तमम्
M. N. Dutt: Verily, this work composed by you will be the foremost of all works on morality and religion. Excellent as it is, this work is full of instructions for acquiring both Riches and Religious merit, and is full of mysteries.
अस्य प्रवर्तनाच्चैव प्रजावन्तो भविष्यथ स च राजा श्रिया युक्तो भविष्यति महान्वसुः
M. N. Dutt: For the publication of this treatise, you will be progenitors of an extensive family! King Uparichara also will become endued with greatness and prosperity.
संस्थिते तु नृपे तस्मिञ्शास्त्रमेतत्सनातनम् अन्तर्धास्यति तत्सत्यमेतद्वः कथितं मया
M. N. Dutt: Upon the death, however, of that king, this eternal work will disappear from the world. I all this.
एतावदुक्त्वा वचनमदृश्यः पुरुषोत्तमः विसृज्य तानृषीन्सर्वान्कामपि प्रस्थितो दिशम्
M. N. Dutt: Having said these words to all those Rishis, the invisible Narayana left them and went to some place that was not known to them.
ततस्ते लोकपितरः सर्वलोकार्थचिन्तकाः प्रावर्तयन्त तच्छास्त्रं धर्मयोनिं सनातनम्
M. N. Dutt: Then those progenitors of the world, those Rishis who conferred their thoughts on the worldly ends, duly promulgated that work which is the eternal origin of all duties and observances.
उत्पन्नेऽऽङ्गिरसे चैव युगे प्रथमकल्पिते साङ्गोपनिषदं शास्त्रं स्थापयित्वा बृहस्पतौ
M. N. Dutt: Subsequently, when Brihaspati was born in Angiras's family in the golden age, those seven Rishis charged him with the task of tell you promulgating their work which was consistent with the Upanishads and the several branches of the Vedas.
जग्मुर्यथेप्सितं देशं तपसे कृतनिश्चयाः धारणात्सर्वलोकानां सर्वधर्मप्रवर्तकाः
M. N. Dutt: The themselves who were upholders of the universe and the first promulgators of duties and religious observances, then went to the place they chose, determined to practise penances." promulgating their work which was consistent with the Upanishads and the several branches of the Vedas.