Critical Edition
महेश्वर उवाच तिलोत्तमा नाम पुरा ब्रह्मणा योषिदुत्तमा तिलं तिलं समुद्धृत्य रत्नानां निर्मिता शुभा
M. N. Dutt: The Blessed and Holy One said Formerly a blessed and foremost of women, was created by Brahman, called Tilottama, by collecting beauty from every beautiful object in the universe.
साभ्यगच्छत मां देवि रूपेणाप्रतिमा भुवि प्रदक्षिणं लोभयन्ती मां शुभे रुचिरानना
M. N. Dutt: One day, that lady of beautiful face, peerless in the universe for beauty of form, came to me, O goddess, for circumambulating me but, in sooth, moved by the desire of tempting me.
यतो यतः सा सुदती मामुपाधावदन्तिके ततस्ततो मुखं चारु मम देवि विनिर्गतम्
M. N. Dutt: In whatever direction that lady of beautiful teeth turned, a new face to mine instantly appeared. All these faces of mine became handsome to look at.
तां दिदृक्षुरहं योगाच्चतुर्मूर्तित्वमागतः चतुर्मुखश्च संवृत्तो दर्शयन्योगमात्मनः
M. N. Dutt: Thus, on account of the desire of seeing her, I became fourfaced, through Yogapower. Thus I showed my high Yogapower in becoming fourfaced.
पूर्वेण वदनेनाहमिन्द्रत्वमनुशास्मि ह उत्तरेण त्वया सार्धं रमाम्यहमनिन्दिते
M. N. Dutt: With that face of mine which is turned towards the east, I exercise the sovereignty of the universe. With that face of mine which is turned towards the north, I sport with you, O you of faultless features.
पश्चिमं मे मुखं सौम्यं सर्वप्राणिसुखावहम् दक्षिणं भीमसंकाशं रौद्रं संहरति प्रजाः
M. N. Dutt: That face of mine which is turned towards the west is handsome and auspicious. With it I ordain the happiness of all creatures. That face cf mine which is turned towards the south is dreadful. With it I destroy all creatures.
जटिलो ब्रह्मचारी च लोकानां हितकाम्यया देवकार्यार्थसिद्ध्यर्थं पिनाकं मे करे स्थितम्
M. N. Dutt: I live as a Brahmacharin with matted locks on iny head, for doing good in all creatures. The bow Pinaka is always in my hand for accomplishing the work of the celestials.
इन्द्रेण च पुरा वज्रं क्षिप्तं श्रीकाङ्क्षिणा मम दग्ध्वा कण्ठं तु तद्यातं तेन श्रीकण्ठता मम
M. N. Dutt: Formerly, Indra, desirous of acquiring my prosperity, had hurled his thunderbolt at me. With that weapon my throat was scorched. Therefore I have become bluethroated.
उमोवाच वाहनेषु प्रभूतेषु श्रीमत्स्वन्येषु सत्सु ते कथं गोवृषभो देव वाहनत्वमुपागतः
M. N. Dutt: Uma said When, O foremost of all creatures, there are so many excellent beautiful cars, why have you selected a bull for your vehicle?
महेश्वर उवाच सुरभीं ससृजे ब्रह्मामृतधेनुं पयोमुचम् सा सृष्टा बहुधा जाता क्षरमाणा पयोऽमृतम्
M. N. Dutt: Maheshvara said Formerly, the Grandfather Brahman created the celestial cow Surabhi giving profuse milk After her creation there sprang from her a large number of king all of which gave sufficient quantities of milk sweet as nectar.
तस्या वत्समुखोत्सृष्टः फेनो मद्गात्रमागतः ततो दग्धा मया गावो नानावर्णत्वमागताः
M. N. Dutt: Once on a time a quantity of froth fell from the mouth of one of her calves on my body. I was enraged at this and my anger scorched all the kine which there upon became diversified in colour.
ततोऽहं लोकगुरुणा शमं नीतोऽर्थवेदिना वृषं चेमं ध्वजार्थं मे ददौ वाहनमेव च
M. N. Dutt: I was then pacified by the Lord of all the worlds, viz., Brahman, conversant this bull both as a car for bearing me and as device on my banner.
उमोवाच निवासा बहुरूपास्ते विश्वरूपगुणान्विताः तांश्च संत्यज्य भगवञ्श्मशाने रमसे कथम्
M. N. Dutt: Uma said You have many houses, in the celestial region, of various forms and possessed of every comfort and luxury. Why, O Holy One, do you live in the crematorium, abandoning all those delightful palaces.
केशास्थिकलिले भीमे कपालघटसंकुले गृध्रगोमायुकलिले चिताग्निशतसंकुले
M. N. Dutt: The crematorium is full of the hair and bones (of the dead), abounds with vultures and jackals, and is covered with hundreds of funeral pyres.
अशुचौ मांसकलिले वसाशोणितकर्दमे विनिकीर्णामिषचये शिवानादविनादिते
M. N. Dutt: Full of carrion and muddy with fat and blood, with entrails and bones scattered all over it, and always echoing with the howls of jackals, it is certainly an impure place.
महेश्वर उवाच मेध्यान्वेषी महीं कृत्स्नां विचरामि निशास्वहम् न च मेध्यतरं किंचिच्छ्मशानादिह विद्यते
M. N. Dutt: Maheshvara said I always travel over the whole Earth in search after a sacred spot. I do not, however, see any spot that is more sacred than the crematorium.
तेन मे सर्ववासानां श्मशाने रमते मनः न्यग्रोधशाखासंछन्ने निर्भुक्तस्रग्विभूषिते
M. N. Dutt: Therefore, of all houses, the crematorium appears to me to be the best, shaded as it generally is by branches of the banian and adorned with torn garlands of flowers.
तत्र चैव रमन्ते मे भूतसंघाः शुभानने न च भूतगणैर्देवि विनाहं वस्तुमुत्सहे
M. N. Dutt: O you of sweet smiles, the multitudes of goblins that are my companions love to live in such spots. I do not like, O goddess, to live anywhere, without those goblins by my side.
एष वासो हि मे मेध्यः स्वर्गीयश्च मतो हि मे पुण्यः परमकश्चैव मेध्यकामैरुपास्यते
M. N. Dutt: Therefore, the crematorium is a sacred house to me. Indeed, O auspicious lady, it appears to me to be very Heaven. Highly sacred and endued with great merit, the crematorium is much praised by persons desirous of having holy abodes.
उमोवाच भगवन्सर्वभूतेश सर्वधर्मभृतां वर पिनाकपाणे वरद संशयो मे महानयम्
M. N. Dutt: Uma said O Holy One, O lord of all creatures, O foremost of all observers of duties and religious rites, I have a great doubt, O holder of Pinaka, O giver of boons.
अयं मुनिगणः सर्वस्तपस्तप इति प्रभो तपोन्वेषकरो लोके भ्रमते विविधाकृतिः
M. N. Dutt: These ascetics, O powerful lords, have practised various kinds of austerities. In the world are seen ascetics wandering everywhere under various forms and clad in various kinds of dress.
अस्य चैवर्षिसंघस्य मम च प्रियकाम्यया एतं ममेह संदेहं वक्तुमर्हस्यरिंदम
M. N. Dutt: For benefiting this large number of Rishis, as also myself, do you kindly remove, O chaister of all enemies, this doubt of mine.
धर्मः किंलक्षणः प्रोक्तः कथं वाचरितुं नरैः शक्यो धर्ममविन्दद्भिर्धर्मज्ञ वद मे प्रभो
M. N. Dutt: What are the characteristics of Religion or Duty? How, indeed, do men unacquainted with the details of Religion or Duty succeed in observing them. O powerful lord, O you who are conversant with Religion, do you tell me this.
नारद उवाच ततो मुनिगणः सर्वस्तां देवीं प्रत्यपूजयत् वाग्भिरृग्भूषितार्थाभिः स्तवैश्चार्थविदां वर
M. N. Dutt: Narada said When the daughter of Himavat, put this question, the assemblage of Rishis there present, adored the goddess with words adorned with Richs and with hymns fraught with deep meaning.
महेश्वर उवाच अहिंसा सत्यवचनं सर्वभूतानुकम्पनम् शमो दानं यथाशक्ति गार्हस्थ्यो धर्म उत्तमः
M. N. Dutt: Maheshvara said Abstention from injury, truthfulness of speech, mercy towards all beings, tranquillity of soul, and the making of gifts to the best of one's power, form the foremost duties of the householder.
परदारेष्वसंकल्पो न्यासस्त्रीपरिरक्षणम् अदत्तादानविरमो मधुमांसस्य वर्जनम्
AI Translation: Not to desire another's wife, to protect the wife of one who has renounced the world, To abstain from taking what has not been given, to avoid honey and meat,
एष पञ्चविधो धर्मो बहुशाखः सुखोदयः देहिभिर्धर्मपरमैः कर्तव्यो धर्मसंचयः
AI Translation: This fivefold Dharma, with many branches, is the source of happiness. The Dharma-practicing should accumulate the Dharma.
उमोवाच भगवन्संशयं पृष्टस्तं मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य यो धर्मः स्वे स्वे वर्णे गुणावहः
M. N. Dutt: Uma said O Holy One, I wish to ask you another question about with I entertain great doubts. You should answer it and remove my doubts. What are the meritorious duties of the four castes.
ब्राह्मणे कीदृशो धर्मः क्षत्रिये कीदृशो भवेत् वैश्ये किंलक्षणो धर्मः शूद्रे किंलक्षणो भवेत्
M. N. Dutt: What are the duties of the Brahmana? What of the Kshatriya? What are the duties of the Vaishya? And what are the duties of the Shudra.
महेश्वर उवाच न्यायतस्ते महाभागे संशयः समुदीरितः भूमिदेवा महाभागाः सदा लोके द्विजातयः
M. N. Dutt: Maheshvara said O highly blessed lady, the question you have put, is a very proper one. Those persons who belong to the twice bom order, are considered as highly blessed, and are, indeed, gods on earth.
उपवासः सदा धर्मो ब्राह्मणस्य न संशयः स हि धर्मार्थमुत्पन्नो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते
M. N. Dutt: Forsooth, the observance of fasts, is always the duty of the Brahmana. When the Brahmana succeeds in properly observing all his duties, he becomes at one with Brahma.
तस्य धर्मक्रिया देवि व्रतचर्या च न्यायतः तथोपनयनं चैव द्विजायैवोपपद्यते
M. N. Dutt: The proper observance of the duties of Brahmacharya, O goddess, are his ritual. The observar ce of vows and the investiture with the sacred thread form his other duties. It is by these that he becomes truly twice born.
गुरुदैवतपूजार्थं स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनात्मकः देहिभिर्धर्मपरमैश्चर्तव्यो धर्मसंभवः
M. N. Dutt: He becomes a Brahinana for adoring his preceptors and other elders as also the celestials. Indeed, that religion which has for its soul the study of the Vedas, is the source of all virtue. Even that is the religion which those embodied creatures who are given to virtue and duty, should observe and practise.
उमोवाच भगवन्संशयो मेऽत्र तं मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य धर्मं हि नैपुण्येन प्रकीर्तय
M. N. Dutt: Uma said O Holy One, my doubts have not been removed. You should explain in detail what the duties are of the four respective castes of men.
महेश्वर उवाच रहस्यश्रवणं धर्मो वेदव्रतनिषेवणम् व्रतचर्यापरो धर्मो गुरुपादप्रसादनम्
AI Translation: Mahesvara said: Listening to secrets is Dharma, following the vows of the Vedas, Dharma is being devoted to the practice of vows, pleasing the feet of the guru,
भैक्षचर्यापरो धर्मो धर्मो नित्योपवासिता नित्यस्वाध्यायिता धर्मो ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमस्तथा
AI Translation: One who is devoted to the practice of begging for alms, one who is always fasting, One who is always reciting the scriptures, one who is devoted to the stage of celibacy,
गुरुणा त्वभ्यनुज्ञातः समावर्तेत वै द्विजः विन्देतानन्तरं भार्यामनुरूपां यथाविधि
M. N. Dutt: After the student life is over, the Brahmana, at the behest of his preceptor, should leave his preceptor's abode for returning to his fathers' house. Upon his return he should duly marry a proper wife.
शूद्रान्नवर्जनं धर्मस्तथा सत्पथसेवनम् धर्मो नित्योपवासित्वं ब्रह्मचर्यं तथैव च
M. N. Dutt: Another duty of the Brahmana consists of avoiding the food prepared by the Shudra. Walking along the path of virtue, always obscrving fasts and the practices of Brahmacharya form his other duties.
आहिताग्निरधीयानो जुह्वानः संयतेन्द्रियः विघसाशी यताहारो गृहस्थः सत्यवाक्शुचिः
M. N. Dutt: The householder should keep up his domestic fire for daily adoration. He should study the Vedas. He should pour libations in honour of the departed Manes and the celestials. He should keep his senses under proper restraint. He should eat what remains after serving gods and guests and all his dependants. He should be abstemious in food, truthful in words, and pure both in body and mind.
अतिथिव्रतता धर्मो धर्मस्त्रेताग्निधारणम् इष्टीश्च पशुबन्धांश्च विधिपूर्वं समाचरेत्
M. N. Dutt: Attending to guests is another duty of the householder, as also the keeping up of the three sacrificial fires. The householder should also attend to the ordinary sacrifices called Ishti and should also dedicate animals to the deities according to the ordinances.
यज्ञश्च परमो धर्मस्तथाहिंसा च देहिषु अपूर्वभोजनं धर्मो विघसाशित्वमेव च
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, the celebration of sacrifices is his greatest duty as also a complete abstention from injury to all creatures. Never to eat before serving the celestials and guests and dependants is another duty of the householder. The food that remains after serving gods and guests and the dependants is called Vighasa. The householder should eat Vighasa.
भुक्ते परिजने पश्चाद्भोजनं धर्म उच्यते ब्राह्मणस्य गृहस्थस्य श्रोत्रियस्य विशेषतः
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, to eat after the members of his family including servants and other dependants, is considered as one of the especial duties of the twiceborn householder, who should, besides, be conversant with the Vedas.
दंपत्योः समशीलत्वं धर्मश्च गृहमेधिनाम् गृह्याणां चैव देवानां नित्यं पुष्पबलिक्रिया
M. N. Dutt: The conduct of husband and wife, in the case of the householder, should be equal. He should every day make offerings of flowers and other articles to those celestials who preside over domesticity.
नित्योपलेपनं धर्मस्तथा नित्योपवासिता सुसंमृष्टोपलिप्ते च साज्यधूमोद्गमे गृहे
M. N. Dutt: The householder should see that his house is every day properly rubbed with (cowdung and water). He should also observe fasts every day. Wellcleaned and wellrubbed, his house should also be every day fumigated with the smoke of clarified butter poured on his sacred fire in honour of the celestials and the departed Manes.
एष द्विजजने धर्मो गार्हस्थ्यो लोकधारणः द्विजातीनां सतां नित्यं सदैवैष प्रवर्तते
M. N. Dutt: Even these are the duties of a twice born householder. Those duties really upholds the world. Those duties always and eternally emanate from those pious persons among the Brahmanas who live like householders.
यस्तु क्षत्रगतो देवि त्वया धर्म उदीरितः तमहं ते प्रवक्ष्यामि तं मे शृणु समाहिता
M. N. Dutt: Do you listen to me with rapt attention, O goddess, for I shall now tell you what the dutics are of the Kshatriya and about which you have asked me.
क्षत्रियस्य स्मृतो धर्मः प्रजापालनमादितः निर्दिष्टफलभोक्ता हि राजा धर्मेण युज्यते
M. N. Dutt: From the beginning it has been said that the duty of the Kshatriya is to protect all creatures. The king gets a fixed share of the merits acquired by his subjects. By that means the king becomes gifted with righteousness.
प्रजाः पालयते यो हि धर्मेण मनुजाधिपः तस्य धर्मार्जिता लोकाः प्रजापालनसंचिताः
M. N. Dutt: The king who rules and protects his subjects piously, acquires, by virtue of the protection he offers to others, many regions of happiness in the next world.
तत्र राज्ञः परो धर्मो दमः स्वाध्याय एव च अग्निहोत्रपरिस्पन्दो दानाध्ययनमेव च
M. N. Dutt: The other duties of a Kshatriya consist of self-control and Vedic study, the pouring of libations on the sacred fire, the making of gifts, study, the bearing of the sacred thread, sacrifices, the performance of religious rites, the support of servants and dependants, and perseverance in acts that have been undertaken.
यज्ञोपवीतधारणं यज्ञो धर्मक्रियास्तथा भृत्यानां भरणं धर्मः कृते कर्मण्यमोघता
AI Translation: Wearing the sacred thread, performing sacrifices, and religious rites, Supporting servants, and the fruitfulness of actions done in the past.
सम्यग्दण्डे स्थितिर्धर्मो धर्मो वेदक्रतुक्रियाः व्यवहारस्थितिर्धर्मः सत्यवाक्यरतिस्तथा
AI Translation: The law is to be in the right, the law is the performance of the Vedic rites, The law is to be in the right, the law is the performance of the Vedic rites, The law is to be in the right, the law is the performance of the Vedic rites,
आर्तहस्तप्रदो राजा प्रेत्य चेह महीयते गोब्राह्मणार्थे विक्रान्तः संग्रामे निधनं गतः अश्वमेधजिताँल्लोकान्प्राप्नोति त्रिदिवालये
M. N. Dutt: Such a king acquires in the celestial region। such regions of happiness as are capable of being acquired by the performance of Horsesacrifices.
वैश्यस्य सततं धर्मः पाशुपाल्यं कृषिस्तथा अग्निहोत्रपरिस्पन्दो दानाध्ययनमेव च
M. N. Dutt: The duties of the Vaishya always are the keep of cattle and agriculture, the pouring of libations on the sacred fire, the making of gifts, and study.
वाणिज्यं सत्पथस्थानमातिथ्यं प्रशमो दमः विप्राणां स्वागतं त्यागो वैश्यधर्मः सनातनः
M. N. Dutt: Trade, walking in the path of virtue, hospitality, peacefulness, self-control, welcoming of Brahmanas, and renouncing things are the other eternal duties of the Vaishya.
तिलान्गन्धान्रसांश्चैव न विक्रीणीत वै क्वचित् वणिक्पथमुपासीनो वैश्यः सत्पथमाश्रितः
M. N. Dutt: The Vaishya, engaged in trade and walking in the path of virtue, should never sell sesame and perfumery and juices or liquid substances. He should perform the duties of hospitality towards all.
सर्वातिथ्यं त्रिवर्गस्य यथाशक्ति यथार्हतः शूद्रधर्मः परो नित्यं शुश्रूषा च द्विजातिषु
M. N. Dutt: He is at liberty to pursue virtue and profit and pleasure according to his means and asmuch as is judicious for him. The service of the three twice born classes forins the high duty of the Shudra.
स शूद्रः संशिततपाः सत्यसंधो जितेन्द्रियः शुश्रूषन्नतिथिं प्राप्तं तपः संचिनुते महत्
M. N. Dutt: That Shudra who is truthful in speech and who has controlled his senses, is considered as having acquired meritorious penances. Indeed, the Shudra, who having got a guest, performs the duties of hospitality towards him, is considered as acquiring the merit of great penances.
त्यक्तहिंसः शुभाचारो देवताद्विजपूजकः शूद्रो धर्मफलैरिष्टैः संप्रयुज्येत बुद्धिमान्
M. N. Dutt: That intelligent Shudra whose wonduct is virtuous and who adores the deities and Brahmanas, gets desirable rewards of virtue.
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य शोभने एकैकस्येह सुभगे किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छसि
M. N. Dutt: O beautiful lady, I have thus recited to you what are the duties of the four castes. Indeed,O blessed lady, I have told you what are their respective duties. What else do you wish to hear?