Critical Edition
नकुल उवाच हन्त वो वर्तयिष्यामि दानस्य परमं फलम् न्यायलब्धस्य सूक्ष्मस्य विप्रदत्तस्य यद्द्विजाः
M. N. Dutt: The Mungoose continued : O twice-born ones, I shall presently tell you what the excellent fruit was of the gift, made by a Brahmana, of a very little measure (of powdered barley) acquired by fair means.
धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे धर्मज्ञैर्बहुभिर्वृते उञ्छवृत्तिर्द्विजः कश्चित्कापोतिरभवत्पुरा
M. N. Dutt: On that righteous spot of ground known by the name of Kurukshetra, which is the habitation of many righteous persons, there lived a Brahmana observing the Unchcha vow. That mode of living is like that of the pigeon.
सभार्यः सह पुत्रेण सस्नुषस्तपसि स्थितः वधूचतुर्थो वृद्धः स धर्मात्मा नियतेन्द्रियः
M. N. Dutt: He lived there with his wife and son and daughter-in-law and practiced penances. Of righteous soul and with senses completely controlled, he adopted the mode of living which is followed by a parrot.
षष्ठे काले तदा विप्रो भुङ्क्ते तैः सह सुव्रतः षष्ठे काले कदाचिच्च तस्याहारो न विद्यते भुङ्क्तेऽन्यस्मिन्कदाचित्स षष्ठे काले द्विजोत्तमः
AI Translation: At the sixth time, the brahmin, of good vows, eats with them. At the sixth time, sometimes his food is not there. At the sixth time, the best brahmin eats at another time.
कपोतधर्मिणस्तस्य दुर्भिक्षे सति दारुणे नाविद्यत तदा विप्राः संचयस्तान्निबोधत क्षीणौषधिसमावायो द्रव्यहीनोऽभवत्तदा
AI Translation: He who was the upholder of the Dharma of the pigeon, in that terrible famine, O Brahmins, there was no accumulation of wealth then. Listen to it. The collection of medicines was exhausted, and he became devoid of wealth.
काले कालेऽस्य संप्राप्ते नैव विद्येत भोजनम् क्षुधापरिगताः सर्वे प्रातिष्ठन्त तदा तु ते
M. N. Dutt: When the habitual hours came for eating, the Brahmana had nothing to eat. This happened day after day. All the members of his family were stricken with hunger but were obliged to pass the days as best they could.
उञ्छंस्तदा शुक्लपक्षे मध्यं तपति भास्करे उष्णार्तश्च क्षुधार्तश्च स विप्रस्तपसि स्थितः उञ्छमप्राप्तवानेव सार्धं परिजनेन ह
M. N. Dutt: One day, in the month of Jyaishtha, while the Sun was in the meridian, the Brahman was engaged, in picking up grains of corn. Afflicted by heat and hunger, he was practicing this penance.
स तथैव क्षुधाविष्टः स्पृष्ट्वा तोयं यथाविधि क्षपयामास तं कालं कृच्छ्रप्राणो द्विजोत्तमः
AI Translation: Thus afflicted by hunger, he touched the water as prescribed and spent that time, the best of Brahmins, with difficulty.
अथ षष्ठे गते काले यवप्रस्थमुपार्जयत् यवप्रस्थं च ते सक्तूनकुर्वन्त तपस्विनः
AI Translation: Then, when six years had passed, he gathered a bushel of barley. And those ascetics made cakes of the bushel of barley.
कृतजप्याह्विकास्ते तु हुत्वा वह्निं यथाविधि कुडवं कुडवं सर्वे व्यभजन्त तपस्विनः
AI Translation: Having performed the prescribed rites of invocation and having offered oblations into the fire according to the prescribed rules, all those ascetics divided the rice into handfuls.
अथागच्छद्द्विजः कश्चिदतिथिर्भुञ्जतां तदा ते तं दृष्ट्वातिथिं तत्र प्रहृष्टमनसोऽभवन्
AI Translation: Then a certain Brāhman came as a guest while they were eating, and when they saw him, they were glad at heart.
तेऽभिवाद्य सुखप्रश्नं पृष्ट्वा तमतिथिं तदा विशुद्धमनसो दान्ताः श्रद्धादमसमन्विताः
AI Translation: Having greeted him and asked after his well-being, they then asked him about his well-being. They were pure in mind, disciplined, endowed with faith and self-control,
अनसूयवो गतक्रोधाः साधवो गतमत्सराः त्यक्तमाना जितक्रोधा धर्मज्ञा द्विजसत्तमाः
AI Translation: Those who are free from envy, anger, and jealousy, who are virtuous and free from envy, Those who have given up pride, conquered anger, know the Dharma, and are the best of Brahmins,
सब्रह्मचर्यं स्वं गोत्रं समाख्याय परस्परम् कुटीं प्रवेशयामासुः क्षुधार्तमतिथिं तदा
AI Translation: Having declared their own celibacy and lineage to each other, they admitted the guest, who was afflicted by hunger, into the hut.
इदमर्घ्यं च पाद्यं च बृसी चेयं तवानघ शुचयः सक्तवश्चेमे नियमोपार्जिताः प्रभो प्रतिगृह्णीष्व भद्रं ते मया दत्ता द्विजोत्तम
M. N. Dutt: Here is some clean Saktu acquired by lawful means, O powerful one! Given by us, O foremost of twice-born persons, do you accept it.
इत्युक्तः प्रतिगृह्याथ सक्तूनां कुडवं द्विजः भक्षयामास राजेन्द्र न च तुष्टिं जगाम सः
M. N. Dutt: Thus addressed by them, that Brahmana accepted the Kudava (twelve double handfuls) of powdered barley which was offered to him and ate it all. But his hunger, O king, was not satisfied with what he ate.
स उञ्छवृत्तिः तं प्रेक्ष्य क्षुधापरिगतं द्विजम् आहारं चिन्तयामास कथं तुष्टो भवेदिति
M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana while observing the Unchcha vow, seeing that his guest's hunger was still unsatisfied, began to think of what other food he could place before him for pleasing him.
तस्य भार्याब्रवीद्राजन्मद्भागो दीयतामिति गच्छत्वेष यथाकामं संतुष्टो द्विजसत्तमः
M. N. Dutt: Then his wife said to him. Let my share be given to him! Let this foremost of twice-born persons be pleased and let him then go wherever he will.
इति ब्रुवन्तीं तां साध्वीं धर्मात्मा स द्विजर्षभः क्षुधापरिगतां ज्ञात्वा सक्तूंस्तान्नाभ्यनन्दत
M. N. Dutt: Knowing that his chaste wife who said so, was herself stricken with hunger, that best of Brahmanas could not approve of her share of the powdered barley being given to the guest.
Supplementary Passages:
14.93.19 After 19, K1 B1.3-5 D (except D1) T2 ins.: *178 आत्मानुमानतो विद्वान्स तु विप्रर्षभस्तदा
जानन्वृद्धां क्षुधार्तां च श्रान्तां ग्लानां तपस्विनीम् त्वगस्थिभूतां वेपन्तीं ततो भार्यामुवाच ताम्
AI Translation: Knowing her to be old, afflicted with hunger, tired, sick, and ascetic, her body reduced to skin and bones, trembling, he then spoke to his wife,
अपि कीटपतंगानां मृगाणां चैव शोभने स्त्रियो रक्ष्याश्च पोष्याश्च नैवं त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि
AI Translation: Even for insects and moths and deer, O beautiful one, Women should be protected and nourished. You should not say this.
अनुकम्पितो नरो नार्या पुष्टो रक्षित एव च प्रपतेद्यशसो दीप्तान्न च लोकानवाप्नुयात्
AI Translation: A man who is favored by a woman is nourished and protected. He would fall from the bright fame and not attain the worlds.
Supplementary Passages:
14.93.22 K1.5 D2-6 ins. after 22: *179 धर्मकामार्थकार्याणि शुश्रूषा कुलसंततिः दारेष्वधीनो धर्मश्च पितॄणामात्मनस्तथा न वेत्ति कर्मतो भार्यारक्षणे योऽक्षमः पुमान् अयशो महदाप्नोति नरकांश्चैव गच्छति
इत्युक्ता सा ततः प्राह धर्मार्थौ नौ समौ द्विज सक्तुप्रस्थचतुर्भागं गृहाणेमं प्रसीद मे
M. N. Dutt: Thus addressed, she answered him, saying, O twice-born one, our religions acts and wealth are united. Do you take a fourth of this barley! Indeed, be pleased with me.
सत्यं रतिश्च धर्मश्च स्वर्गश्च गुणनिर्जितः स्त्रीणां पतिसमाधीनं काङ्क्षितं च द्विजोत्तम
M. N. Dutt: Truth, pleasure, religious merit, and Heaven, as acquirable by good qualities, of women, as also all the objects of their desire, O foremost of twice-born ones, depend on the husband.
ऋतुर्मातुः पितुर्बीजं दैवतं परमं पतिः भर्तुः प्रसादात्स्त्रीणां वै रतिः पुत्रफलं तथा
M. N. Dutt: In the production of children the mother contributes her blood. The father contributes his sced. The husband is the highest deity of the wife. Through the favour of the husband, women get both pleasure and offspring as the reward.
पालनाद्धि पतिस्त्वं मे भर्तासि भरणान्मम पुत्रप्रदानाद्वरदस्तस्मात्सक्तून्गृहाण मे
M. N. Dutt: You are my Pati (lord) for the protection you give me. You are my Bhartri for the means of sustenance you give me. You are, again, boon-giver to me one account of your having presented me a son. Do you, therefore, take my share of the barley and give it to the guest.
जरापरिगतो वृद्धः क्षुधार्तो दुर्बलो भृशम् उपवासपरिश्रान्तो यदा त्वमपि कर्शितः
M. N. Dutt: Overcome by decrepitude, you are of advanced years. Afflicted by hunger, you are greatly weakened. Worn out with fasts, you are very much emaciated.
इत्युक्तः स तया सक्तून्प्रगृह्येदं वचोऽब्रवीत् द्विज सक्तूनिमान्भूयः प्रतिगृह्णीष्व सत्तम
M. N. Dutt: Thus addressed by her, he took her share of the powdered barley and addressing his guest, said, 'O twice-bom one, O best of men, do you accept this quantity of powdered barley as well.
स तान्प्रगृह्य भुक्त्वा च न तुष्टिमगमद्द्विजः तमुञ्छवृत्तिरालक्ष्य ततश्चिन्तापरोऽभवत्
M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana, having accepted that quantity, immediately ate it up, but his hunger was not yet satisfied. Secing him ungratified, the Brahmana in the observance of the Unchcha vow became thoughtful.
Supplementary Passages:
14.93.29 After 29, K2 ins.: *180 तमुवाच ततः पुत्रः पितरं दीनमानसम् प्रश्रयावनतो भूत्वा हेतुयुक्तमिदं वचः
पुत्र उवाच सक्तूनिमान्प्रगृह्य त्वं देहि विप्राय सत्तम इत्येवं सुकृतं मन्ये तस्मादेतत्करोम्यहम्
M. N. Dutt: His son then said to him 'O best of men, taking my share of the barley do you give it to the guest! I consider this act of mine as one of great merit. Therefore, I do it.
भवान्हि परिपाल्यो मे सर्वयत्नैर्द्विजोत्तम साधूनां काङ्क्षितं ह्येतत्पितुर्वृद्धस्य पोषणम्
M. N. Dutt: You should be always maintained by me with great care. Maintenance of the father is a duty which the good always covet.
पुत्रार्थो विहितो ह्येष स्थाविर्ये परिपालनम् श्रुतिरेषा हि विप्रर्षे त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुता
M. N. Dutt: The maintenance of the father in his old age is the duty laid down for the son. This is the eternal Shruti (audition) current in the three worlds, O learned Rishi.
प्राणधारणमात्रेण शक्यं कर्तुं तपस्त्वया प्राणो हि परमो धर्मः स्थितो देहेषु देहिनाम्
M. N. Dutt: By living on barely you are capable of practicing penances. The life-breath is the great deity which lives in the bodies of all embodied creatures.'
पितोवाच अपि वर्षसहस्री त्वं बाल एव मतो मम उत्पाद्य पुत्रं हि पिता कृतकृत्यो भवत्युत
M. N. Dutt: The Father said If you attain to the age of even a thousand year, You will still seem to me to be only a little child. Having begotten a son, the father achieves success through him.
बालानां क्षुद्बलवती जानाम्येतदहं विभो वृद्धोऽहं धारयिष्यामि त्वं बली भव पुत्रक
M. N. Dutt: O powerful me, I know that the hunger of children is very strong. I am old. I shall somehow succeed in holding my life-breaths. Do you, O son, become strong.
जीर्णेन वयसा पुत्र न मा क्षुद्बाधतेऽपि च दीर्घकालं तपस्तप्तं न मे मरणतो भयम्
M. N. Dutt: Old and decrepit as I am, O son, hunger scarcely afflicts me. I have, again, for many years, practiced penances. I have no fear of death.
पुत्र उवाच अपत्यमस्मि ते पुत्रस्त्राणात्पुत्रो हि विश्रुतः आत्मा पुत्रः स्मृतस्तस्मात्त्राह्यात्मानमिहात्मना
M. N. Dutt: The Son said-I am your offspring. The Shruti declare that one's offspring is called Putra, because one is rescued by him. One's own self, again, takes birth as his son. Do you, therefore, rescue yourself by your own self.
Supplementary Passages:
14.93.37 For 37, K2.4 subst.: *181 पुत्रोऽहं तव विप्रर्षे त्वया पाल्योऽस्मि सर्वदा इदानीं तु इमान्सक्तून्दीयतां क्षुधिताय च
पितोवाच रूपेण सदृशस्त्वं मे शीलेन च दमेन च परीक्षितश्च बहुधा सक्तूनादद्मि ते ततः
M. N. Dutt: The Father said In forin you are like me. In conduct and in self-control, also you are my like. You have been examined on various occasions by me. I shall, therefore, accept your share of the barley, O son!
Supplementary Passages:
14.93.38 For 38cd, Ś1 K2-4 D1 subst.: *182 प्रश्रयेण तथा बुद्ध्या वृत्त्या क्षान्त्या तथैव च
इत्युक्त्वादाय तान्सक्तून्प्रीतात्मा द्विजसत्तमः प्रहसन्निव विप्राय स तस्मै प्रददौ तदा
M. N. Dutt: Having said this, that foremost of twiceborn persons cheerfully took his son's share of the barley and smilingly presented it to his twice-born guest.
भुक्त्वा तानपि सक्तून्स नैव तुष्टो बभूव ह उञ्छवृत्तिस्तु सव्रीडो बभूव द्विजसत्तमः
M. N. Dutt: Having eaten that barley also, the guest's hunger was not satisfied. The righteous-should host in the observance of the Unchcha vow became asharmed.
तं वै वधूः स्थिता साध्वी ब्राह्मणप्रियकाम्यया सक्तूनादाय संहृष्टा गुरुं तं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
AI Translation: That chaste wife, desiring the welfare of the brahmin, stood there and, taking the barley-meal, joyfully said to her husband:
संतानात्तव संतानं मम विप्र भविष्यति सक्तूनिमानतिथये गृहीत्वा त्वं प्रयच्छ मे
AI Translation: "O Brahmin, from your lineage, my lineage will come into being." "Taking these parched grains for the guest, give them to me."
तव प्रसवनिर्वृत्या मम लोकाः किलाक्षयाः पौत्रेण तानवाप्नोति यत्र गत्वा न शोचति
M. N. Dutt: Through your grace, numerous regions of beatitude will be mine for eternity Through a grandson one obtains those regions going where one has not to suffer any kind of misery.
धर्माद्या हि यथा त्रेता वह्नित्रेता तथैव च तथैव पुत्रपौत्राणां स्वर्गे त्रेता किलाक्षया
M. N. Dutt: Like the three-fold objects of life beginning with Religion, or the three-fold sacred fires, there is a triple aggregate of everlasting Heavens, depending upon the son, the grandson, and the great-grandson.
पितॄंस्त्राणात्तारयति पुत्र इत्यनुशुश्रुम पुत्रपौत्रैश्च नियतं साधुलोकानुपाश्नुते
M. N. Dutt: The son is called Putra because he frees his ancestor's debt. Through sons and grandsons one always enjoys the happiness of those regions which are reserved for the pious and the good.
श्वशुर उवाच वातातपविशीर्णाङ्गीं त्वां विवर्णां निरीक्ष्य वै कर्शितां सुव्रताचारे क्षुधाविह्वलचेतसम्
AI Translation: The father-in-law said: Seeing you, your body withered by the wind and sun, pale, emaciated, your mind agitated by hunger, though you are of good conduct,
कथं सक्तून्ग्रहीष्यामि भूत्वा धर्मोपघातकः कल्याणवृत्ते कल्याणि नैवं त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि
AI Translation: How can I take the barley meal, being one who causes harm to the Dharma? O one of good conduct, O fortunate one, you should not speak thus.
षष्ठे काले व्रतवतीं शीलशौचसमन्विताम् कृच्छ्रवृत्तिं निराहारां द्रक्ष्यामि त्वां कथं न्वहम्
M. N. Dutt: O auspicious lady, how can I hold you at even this the sixth division of the day abstaining from food and observing vows? You are gifted with purity and good conduct and penances. Alas, even you have to pass your days in so much misery.
बाला क्षुधार्ता नारी च रक्ष्या त्वं सततं मया उपवासपरिश्रान्ता त्वं हि बान्धवनन्दिनी
M. N. Dutt: You are a child, afflicted by hunger, and belong to the softer sex. You should be always protected by mc! Alas, I have to see you worn out with fasts, O you who are the delighter of all your kinsmen.
स्नुषोवाच गुरोर्मम गुरुस्त्वं वै यतो दैवतदैवतम् देवातिदेवस्तस्मात्त्वं सक्तूनादत्स्व मे विभो
M. N. Dutt: The Daughter-in-law said You are the senior of my senior, since you are the deity of my deity. You are, indeed, the god of my god. Do you, therefore, O powerful one, take my share of the barley.
देहः प्राणश्च धर्मश्च शुश्रूषार्थमिदं गुरोः तव विप्र प्रसादेन लोकान्प्राप्स्याम्यभीप्सितान्
M. N. Dutt: My body, life-breaths, and religious rites, have all one objects viz., the service of iny elder. through your favour, O learned Brahmana, I shall obtain many regions of happiness hereafter.
अवेक्ष्या इति कृत्वा त्वं दृढभक्त्येति वा द्विज चिन्त्या ममेयमिति वा सक्तूनादातुमर्हसि
M. N. Dutt: I deserve to be looked after by you. Know, o twice-born one, that I am wholly devoted to you. Cherishing also this thought, viz., that my happiness is your concern, you should take this my share of the barley.
श्वशुर उवाच अनेन नित्यं साध्वी त्वं शीलवृत्तेन शोभसे या त्वं धर्मव्रतोपेता गुरुवृत्तिमवेक्षसे
M. N. Dutt: O chaste lady, on account of such conduct of yours you will for ever shine in glory, for endued with vows and steadiness in rcligious rites, your eyes are directed to that conduct which should be observed towards elders.
तस्मात्सक्तून्ग्रहीष्यामि वधूर्नार्हसि वञ्चनाम् गणयित्वा महाभागे त्वं हि धर्मभृतां वरा
M. N. Dutt: Therefore, O daughter-in-law, I shall take your share of the barley. You deserve not to be deceived by me, considering all your virtues. You are truly, O blessed damsel, the foremost of all persons observing the duties of righteousness.
इत्युक्त्वा तानुपादाय सक्तून्प्रादाद्द्विजातये ततस्तुष्टोऽभवद्विप्रस्तस्य साधोर्महात्मनः
M. N. Dutt: Having said so to her, the Brahmana took her share of the barley and gave it to his guest. At this the guest became pleased with that great Brahmana gifted with great piety.
प्रीतात्मा स तु तं वाक्यमिदमाह द्विजर्षभम् वाग्मी तदा द्विजश्रेष्ठो धर्मः पुरुषविग्रहः
AI Translation: Then, with a delighted mind, he spoke these words to the bull among Brahmins: At that time, the eloquent best of Brahmins, Dharma in the form of a man,
शुद्धेन तव दानेन न्यायोपात्तेन यत्नतः यथाशक्ति विमुक्तेन प्रीतोऽस्मि द्विजसत्तम
AI Translation: By your pure gift, obtained through proper means, and given with effort, I am pleased, O best of Brahmins, by your gift given to the best of your ability.
अहो दानं घुष्यते ते स्वर्गे स्वर्गनिवासिभिः गगनात्पुष्पवर्षं च पश्यस्व पतितं भुवि
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, this gift of yours is being bruited about in Heaven by the dwellers of that happy region. Mark, flowers have been rained down from the sky on the Earth.
Supplementary Passages:
14.93.58 For 58cd, D1 subst.: *183 गन्ताशु देववर्षाणि अनन्तानि महामते
सुरर्षिदेवगन्धर्वा ये च देवपुरःसराः स्तुवन्तो देवदूताश्च स्थिता दानेन विस्मिताः
M. N. Dutt: The celestial Rishis, the deities, the Gandharvas, those who walk before the deities, and the celestial messengers, are all lauding you, struck with wonder at your gift.
ब्रह्मर्षयो विमानस्था ब्रह्मलोकगताश्च ये काङ्क्षन्ते दर्शनं तुभ्यं दिवं गच्छ द्विजर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: The twice-bom Rishis who live in the regions of Brahma, seated on their cars, are anxious to see you. O foremost of twice-born persons, go to Heaven.
पितृलोकगताः सर्वे तारिताः पितरस्त्वया अनागताश्च बहवः सुबहूनि युगानि च
M. N. Dutt: The Pitris living in their own region, have all been rescued by them. Others, also, who have not attained to the position of Pitris, have equally been rescued by you for countless cycles.
ब्रह्मचर्येण यज्ञेन दानेन तपसा तथा अगह्वरेण धर्मेण तस्माद्गच्छ दिवं द्विज
M. N. Dutt: For your Brahmacharya, your gifts, your sacrifices, your penances, and your acts of piety done with a pure heart, go you to Heaven.
श्रद्धया परया यस्त्वं तपश्चरसि सुव्रत तस्माद्देवास्तवानेन प्रीता द्विजवरोत्तम
M. N. Dutt: you of excellent vows, you practice penances with great devotion. Your gifts have, therefore, pleased the deities highly, O best of twice-borm ones.
Supplementary Passages:
14.93.63 After 63c, K1 ins.: *184 प्रीतात्मा देवताः सर्वे यते न तपसा तथा
सर्वस्वमेतद्यस्मात्ते त्यक्तं शुद्धेन चेतसा कृच्छ्रकाले ततः स्वर्गो जितोऽयं तव कर्मणा
M. N. Dutt: Since you have made this gift, in a season of great difficulty, with a pure heart, you have, by this act of yours, conquered the celestial region.
क्षुधा निर्णुदति प्रज्ञां धर्म्यां बुद्धिं व्यपोहति क्षुधापरिगतज्ञानो धृतिं त्यजति चैव ह
M. N. Dutt: Hunger destroys one's wisdom and drives off one's righteous understanding. One whose intelligence is overwhelmed by hunger renounces all fortitude.
बुभुक्षां जयते यस्तु स स्वर्गं जयते ध्रुवम् यदा दानरुचिर्भवति तदा धर्मो न सीदति
M. N. Dutt: He, therefore, who conquers hunger, conquers Heaven, forsooth. One's righteousness is never destroyed as long as he cherishes the inclination of making gifts.
अनवेक्ष्य सुतस्नेहं कलत्रस्नेहमेव च धर्ममेव गुरुं ज्ञात्वा तृष्णा न गणिता त्वया
M. N. Dutt: Disregarding filial affection, disregarding the affection one feels for his wife, and reckoning virtue as the foremost, you have paid no attention to the cravings of nature.
द्रव्यागमो नृणां सूक्ष्मः पात्रे दानं ततः परम् कालः परतरो दानाच्छ्रद्धा चापि ततः परा
M. N. Dutt: The acquisition of riches is an act of slight mcrit. Its gift to a worthy person is fraught with greater merit. Of still greater merit is the (proper) time. Lastly, devotion is fraught with the highest merit.
स्वर्गद्वारं सुसूक्ष्मं हि नरैर्मोहान्न दृश्यते स्वर्गार्गलं लोभबीजं रागगुप्तं दुरासदम्
M. N. Dutt: The door of Heaven is very difficult to see. Through carelessness men cannot see it. The bar of Heaven's door has cupidity for its seed. That bar is kept fastened by desire and affection. Indeed, Heaven's door is unapproachable.
तत्तु पश्यन्ति पुरुषा जितक्रोधा जितेन्द्रियाः ब्राह्मणास्तपसा युक्ता यथाशक्तिप्रदायिनः
M. N. Dutt: Those men who have subdued anger and conquered their passions, those Brahmanas who are gifted with penances and who make gifts according to the extent of their ability, succeed in seeing it.
सहस्रशक्तिश्च शतं शतशक्तिर्दशापि च दद्यादपश्च यः शक्त्या सर्वे तुल्यफलाः स्मृताः
M. N. Dutt: It has been said that be who gives away a hundred, having a thousand, he who gives away ten, having a hundred, and he who gives a handful of water, having no moncy, are all equal as regards the merit they acquire.
रन्तिदेवो हि नृपतिरपः प्रादादकिंचनः शुद्धेन मनसा विप्र नाकपृष्ठं ततो गतः
M. N. Dutt: King Rantideva, when divested of all his riches, gave a small quantity of water with a pure a small quantity of water with a pure heart. Through this gift, O learned Brahmana, he went to the celestial region.
न धर्मः प्रीयते तात दानैर्दत्तैर्महाफलैः न्यायलब्धैर्यथा सूक्ष्मैः श्रद्धापूतैः स तुष्यति
M. N. Dutt: The deity of righteousness is never pleased so much with large gifts of costly things as with gifts of even worthless things, if acquired lawfully and given away with devotion and faith.
गोप्रदानसहस्राणि द्विजेभ्योऽदान्नृगो नृपः एकां दत्त्वा स पारक्यां नरकं समवाप्तवान्
M. N. Dutt: King Nriga had made gifts of thousands of kine to the twice-born class. By giving away only one cow which did not belong to him, he fell into Hell.
आत्ममांसप्रदानेन शिबिरौशीनरो नृपः प्राप्य पुण्यकृताँल्लोकान्मोदते दिवि सुव्रतः
M. N. Dutt: Ushinara's son Shibi of excellent vows, by giving away the flesh of his own body, is rejoicing in the celestial region, having attained to the regions of the pious.
विभवे न नृणां पुण्यं स्वशक्त्या स्वर्जितं सताम् न यज्ञैर्विविधैर्विप्र यथान्यायेन संचितैः
M. N. Dutt: Mere wealth is not merit. Good men acquire merit by exerting to the best of their power and with the help of righteousness. One does not acquire such merit by means of even various sacrifices as with even a little wealth that has been acquired by fair means.
Supplementary Passages:
14.93.76 For 76ab, D6 subst.: *185 नृणां पुण्यं स शक्त्या च वर्जितं गर्जनं तदा
क्रोधो दानफलं हन्ति लोभात्स्वर्गं न गच्छति न्यायवृत्तिर्हि तपसा दानवित्स्वर्गमश्नुते
M. N. Dutt: Through anger, the fruits of gifts are destroyed. Through cupidity one fails to go to the celestial region. One conversant with the merits of gifts, and leading a just course of conduct, succeeds, through penances, in enjoying the celestial region.
न राजसूयैर्बहुभिरिष्ट्वा विपुलदक्षिणैः न चाश्वमेधैर्बहुभिः फलं सममिदं तव
M. N. Dutt: The fruit, O Brahmana, of this gift made by you (of a prastha of powdered barley) is much greater than what one acquires by many Rajasuya-Sacrifices with profuse gifts or many Horse-Sacrifices.
सक्तुप्रस्थेन हि जितो ब्रह्मलोकस्त्वयानघ विरजो ब्रह्मभवनं गच्छ विप्र यथेच्छकम्
M. N. Dutt: With this prastha of powdered barley you have conquered the eternal region of Brahman. Go you in happiness, O learned Brahmana, to the house of Brahman who is without the stain of darkness.
सर्वेषां वो द्विजश्रेष्ठ दिव्यं यानमुपस्थितम् आरोहत यथाकामं धर्मोऽस्मि द्विज पश्य माम्
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of twice-born persons, a celestial car is here for all of you. Do you ascend it as you please! O Brahmana, I am the deity of Righteousness. Behold me!
पावितो हि त्वया देहो लोके कीर्तिः स्थिरा च ते सभार्यः सहपुत्रश्च सस्नुषश्च दिवं व्रज
M. N. Dutt: You have rescued your body. The fame of your achievement will least in the world. With your wife, your son, and your daughter-in-law, go now to the celestial region.
इत्युक्तवाक्यो धर्मेण यानमारुह्य स द्विजः सभार्यः ससुतश्चापि सस्नुषश्च दिवं ययौ
M. N. Dutt: After the deity of Righteousness had said these words, that Brahmana, with his wife, son, daughter-in-law, proceeded to the celestial region.
तस्मिन्विप्रे गते स्वर्गं ससुते सस्नुषे तदा भार्याचतुर्थे धर्मज्ञे ततोऽहं निःसृतो बिलात्
M. N. Dutt: After that learned Brahmana knowing all duties, had thus ascended to the celestial region with his son, daughter-in-law, and wife numbering the fourth, I came out of my hole.
ततस्तु सक्तुगन्धेन क्लेदेन सलिलस्य च दिव्यपुष्पावमर्दाच्च साधोर्दानलवैश्च तैः विप्रस्य तपसा तस्य शिरो मे काञ्चनीकृतम्
AI Translation: Then by the smell of flour, by the water of the paste, and by the trampling of divine flowers, and by those small gifts of the good man, and by the asceticism of that brahmin, my head was made golden.
तस्य सत्याभिसंधस्य सूक्ष्मदानेन चैव ह शरीरार्धं च मे विप्राः शातकुम्भमयं कृतम् पश्यतेदं सुविपुलं तपसा तस्य धीमतः
AI Translation: And by the gift of the subtle, of him who was intent on truth, Half of my body, O Brahmins, was made of gold. See this great body of the wise one, by his austerities.
कथमेवंविधं मे स्यादन्यत्पार्श्वमिति द्विजाः तपोवनानि यज्ञांश्च हृष्टोऽभ्येमि पुनः पुनः
M. N. Dutt: O twice-born ones, for converting the rest of my body into gold I repeatedly go, with a cheerful heart, to the hermitages of ascetics and sacrifices performed by kings.
यज्ञं त्वहमिमं श्रुत्वा कुरुराजस्य धीमतः आशया परया प्राप्तो न चाहं काञ्चनीकृतः
M. N. Dutt: Hearing of this sacrifice of the Kuru king, gifted with great wisdom, I came here with hopes. I have not, however, been made gold.
ततो मयोक्तं तद्वाक्यं प्रहस्य द्विजसत्तमाः सक्तुप्रस्थेन यज्ञोऽयं संमितो नेति सर्वथा
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of Brahmanas, it was for this that I uttered those words, viz., that this sacrifice can by no means compare with (the gift of) that prastha of powdered barley.
सक्तुप्रस्थलवैस्तैर्हि तदाहं काञ्चनीकृतः न हि यज्ञो महानेष सदृशस्तैर्मतो मम
M. N. Dutt: With the grains of that prastha of powdered barley, I was made gold on that occasion. This great sacrifice, however, is not equal to those grains. This is my opinion.
Supplementary Passages:
14.93.89 For 89cd, K2.4 subst.: *186 सक्तुप्रस्थेन वो नायं यज्ञस्तुल्यो मतिर्मम
वैशंपायन उवाच इत्युक्त्वा नकुलः सर्वान्यज्ञे द्विजवरांस्तदा जगामादर्शनं राजन्विप्रास्ते च ययुर्गृहान्
M. N. Dutt: Having said those words to all those foremost of Brahmanas, the mungoose disappeared from their view. Those Brahmanas then returned to their respective homes.
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं मया परपुरंजय यदाश्चर्यमभूत्तस्मिन्वाजिमेधे महाक्रतौ
M. N. Dutt: Vaishmpayana said O conquerer of hostile towns, I have now told you all about that wonderful incident which took place in that great Horse-Sacrifice.
न विस्मयस्ते नृपते यज्ञे कार्यः कथंचन ऋषिकोटिसहस्राणि तपोभिर्ये दिवं गताः
M. N. Dutt: You should not, o king, think highly of sacrifice. Million of Rishis have ascended to the celestial region with the help of only their penances.
अद्रोहः सर्वभूतेषु संतोषः शीलमार्जवम् तपो दमश्च सत्यं च दानं चेति समं मतम्
M. N. Dutt: Abstention from injury to all creatures, contentment, conduct, sincerity, penances, selfcontrol, truthfulness, and gifts, are each equal in point of merit to sacrifice.