Critical Edition
देवदूत उवाच महर्षेऽकार्यबुद्धिस्त्वं यः स्वर्गसुखमुत्तमम् संप्राप्तं बहु मन्तव्यं विमृशस्यबुधो यथा
M. N. Dutt: The celestial messenger said: O great Rishi, you are very simple, for having obtained that celestial bliss which brings great honour, you are still delebrating like an unwise person.
Supplementary Passages:
3.247.1 After 1, K4 D1-3 ins.: *1190 नन्दनादीनि रम्याणि तत्रोद्यानानि मुद्गल सर्वकामफलैर्वृक्षैः शोभितानि समन्ततः
उपरिष्टादसौ लोको योऽयं स्वरिति संज्ञितः ऊर्ध्वगः सत्पथः शश्वद्देवयानचरो मुने
M. N. Dutt: O Rishi, that which is known in the world by the name of heaven exists above us. It is high, it is furnished with excellent paths and is always frequented by celestial cars.
नातप्ततपसः पुंसो नामहायज्ञयाजिनः नानृता नास्तिकाश्चैव तत्र गच्छन्ति मुद्गल
M. N. Dutt: O sage, atheists and untruthful persons, those that have not performed asceticism and those that have not performed great sacrifices, cannot go there.
धर्मात्मानो जितात्मानः शान्ता दान्ता विमत्सराः दानधर्मरताः पुंसः शूराश्चाहतलक्षणाः
AI Translation: Those who are of virtuous nature, who have conquered their selves, who are peaceful, controlled, and free from envy, Those who are devoted to the practice of giving and Dharma, who are brave and have the characteristics of the unvanquished,
तत्र गच्छन्ति कर्माग्र्यं कृत्वा शमदमात्मकम् लोकान्पुण्यकृतां ब्रह्मन्सद्भिरासेवितान्नृभिः
AI Translation: There they go, having performed the best of deeds, having self-control and tranquility. Those worlds are enjoyed by the virtuous, by men who have performed meritorious deeds.
देवाः साध्यास्तथा विश्वे मरुतश्च महर्षिभिः यामा धामाश्च मौद्गल्य गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा
AI Translation: The gods, the Sadhyas, the Vishvas, the Maruts, and the great sages, The Yamas, the Dhams, the Maudgalyas, the Gandharvas, and the Apsaras.
Supplementary Passages:
3.247.6 After 6, K3 (line 2 in marg. sec. m.) ins.: *1191 देवानामपि मौद्गल्य काङ्क्षिता सा परा गतिः न दुःखमसुखं चापि रागद्वेषौ कुतो मुने
एषां देवनिकायानां पृथक्पृथगनेकशः भास्वन्तः कामसंपन्ना लोकास्तेजोमयाः शुभाः
AI Translation: These groups of gods, each in their own way, are radiant, full of sensual pleasures, worlds made of light, auspicious.
त्रयस्त्रिंशत्सहस्राणि योजनानां हिरण्मयः मेरुः पर्वतराड्यत्र देवोद्यानानि मुद्गल
AI Translation: The golden mountain is thirty-three thousand yojanas high. This is the king of mountains, Meru, where the gardens of the gods are, O Mudgala.
नन्दनादीनि पुण्यानि विहाराः पुण्यकर्मणाम् न क्षुत्पिपासे न ग्लानिर्न शीतोष्णभयं तथा
AI Translation: The Nandana and other gardens are the abodes of the meritorious. There is no hunger, thirst, or fatigue, nor fear of cold or heat.
बीभत्समशुभं वापि रोगा वा तत्र केचन मनोज्ञाः सर्वतो गन्धाः सुखस्पर्शाश्च सर्वशः
AI Translation: Or even something terrible or inauspicious, or some diseases there, Fragrances that are pleasing in every way, and pleasant to the touch in every way,
शब्दाः श्रुतिमनोग्राह्याः सर्वतस्तत्र वै मुने न शोको न जरा तत्र नायासपरिदेवने
AI Translation: Words are apprehended by hearing and mind everywhere there, O sage. There is no sorrow, no old age, no fatigue, no lamentation.
ईदृशः स मुने लोकः स्वकर्मफलहेतुकः सुकृतैस्तत्र पुरुषाः संभवन्त्यात्मकर्मभिः
M. N. Dutt: O Rishi, the world obtained as the fruit of one's (good) acts is like this. Men go there by virtue of their meritorious acts.
तैजसानि शरीराणि भवन्त्यत्रोपपद्यताम् कर्मजान्येव मौद्गल्य न मातृपितृजान्युत
M. N. Dutt: Men that live there look resplendant and O Mudgala, solely by virtue of their own acts and not through the me its of fathers or mothers.
न च स्वेदो न दौर्गन्ध्यं पुरीषं मूत्रमेव च तेषां न च रजो वस्त्रं बाधते तत्र वै मुने
M. N. Dutt: O Rishi, there is neither sweat nor stench, nor exeretion nor urine. There dust does not soil one's clothes.
न म्लायन्ति स्रजस्तेषां दिव्यगन्धा मनोरमाः पर्युह्यन्ते विमानैश्च ब्रह्मन्नेवंविधाश्च ते
M. N. Dutt: There excellent garments full of celestial fragrance never fade. O Brahmana, there are such cars as this (one I have brought).
ईर्ष्याशोकक्लमापेता मोहमात्सर्यवर्जिताः सुखं स्वर्गजितस्तत्र वर्तयन्ति महामुने
M. N. Dutt: O great Rishi, being free from envy and grief and fatigue and ignorance and malice, men, who have gone to heaven, live in that region in great happiness.
तेषां तथाविधानां तु लोकानां मुनिपुंगव उपर्युपरि शक्रस्य लोका दिव्यगुणान्विताः
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of Rishis, higher and higher over such regions, there are others possessing higher celestial virtues.
पुरस्ताद्ब्रह्मणस्तत्र लोकास्तेजोमयाः शुभाः यत्र यान्त्यृषयो ब्रह्मन्पूताः स्वैः कर्मभिः शुभैः
M. N. Dutt: Of these, the charming and effulgent region of Brahma is the highest. O Brahmana, there go the Rishis that have been purified by their meritorious acts.
ऋभवो नाम तत्रान्ये देवानामपि देवताः तेषां लोकाः परतरे तान्यजन्तीह देवताः
M. N. Dutt: There live certain beings called Ribhus, they are the gods of the gods. Their region is highly blessed and they are adored even by the celestials.
स्वयंप्रभास्ते भास्वन्तो लोकाः कामदुघाः परे न तेषां स्त्रीकृतस्तापो न लोकैश्वर्यमत्सरः
M. N. Dutt: They shine in their own effulgence and they bestow every object of desire. They suffer no pangs arising from women. They do not possess worldly wealth and they are free from ill.
न वर्तयन्त्याहुतिभिस्ते नाप्यमृतभोजनाः तथा दिव्यशरीरास्ते न च विग्रहमूर्तयः
M. N. Dutt: They do not live on oblations or on ambrosia. They possess such celestial forms that they cannot be perceived by the senses.
न सुखे सुखकामाश्च देवदेवाः सनातनाः न कल्पपरिवर्तेषु परिवर्तन्ति ते तथा
M. N. Dutt: Those everlasting gods of the gods do not desire happiness for happiness sake, nor do they undergo any change at the change of a Kalpa.
जरा मृत्युः कुतस्तेषां हर्षः प्रीतिः सुखं न च न दुःखं न सुखं चापि रागद्वेषौ कुतो मुने
M. N. Dutt: Old, age, death they have none; for them there is neither ecstacy, nor joy nor happiness. They have neither happiness nor misery, O Rishi, anger and aversion they have none.
देवानामपि मौद्गल्य काङ्क्षिता सा गतिः परा दुष्प्रापा परमा सिद्धिरगम्या कामगोचरैः
M. N. Dutt: O Mudgala, their supreme state is coveted even by the celestial. The great emancipation, which is very difficult to attain, can never be acquired by people subject to desire.
त्रयस्त्रिंशदिमे लोकाः शेषा लोका मनीषिभिः गम्यन्ते नियमैः श्रेष्ठैर्दानैर्वा विधिपूर्वकैः
M. N. Dutt: The number of these gods is thirty-three. To their region go wise men after having observed excellent vows or bestowed gifts according to the ordiance.
सेयं दानकृता व्युष्टिरत्र प्राप्ता सुखावहा तां भुङ्क्ष्व सुकृतैर्लब्धां तपसा द्योतितप्रभः
AI Translation: This prosperity, brought about by your generosity, has been attained here, bringing happiness. Enjoy it, obtained through your good deeds, your splendor illuminated by asceticism.
एतत्स्वर्गसुखं विप्र लोका नानाविधास्तथा गुणाः स्वर्गस्य प्रोक्तास्ते दोषानपि निबोध मे
AI Translation: O Brahmin, this is the happiness of heaven, and the various worlds. The qualities of heaven have been told to you. Now listen to the faults also.
कृतस्य कर्मणस्तत्र भुज्यते यत्फलं दिवि न चान्यत्क्रियते कर्म मूलच्छेदेन भुज्यते
AI Translation: The fruit of the action performed there is enjoyed in heaven. And no other action is performed. It is enjoyed by the cutting of the root.
सोऽत्र दोषो मम मतस्तस्यान्ते पतनं च यत् सुखव्याप्तमनस्कानां पतनं यच्च मुद्गल
AI Translation: That is my opinion, and that is the fall at the end. And the fall of those whose minds are absorbed in happiness, O Mudgala.
असंतोषः परीतापो दृष्ट्वा दीप्ततराः श्रियः यद्भवत्यवरे स्थाने स्थितानां तच्च दुष्करम्
M. N. Dutt: The discontent and regret that must follow ones stay in an inferior place after he has enjoyed more auspicious and effulgent regions must be very difficult to bear.
संज्ञामोहश्च पततां रजसा च प्रधर्षणम् प्रम्लानेषु च माल्येषु ततः पिपतिषोर्भयम्
M. N. Dutt: The consciousness of those about to fall is stupified and it is also agitated by emotions. As the garlands of those about to fall fade away, fear possesses their hearts.
आ ब्रह्मभवनादेते दोषा मौद्गल्य दारुणाः नाकलोके सुकृतिनां गुणास्त्वयुतशो नृणाम्
M. N. Dutt: O Mudgala, these are the great draw backs that exist even in the region of Brahma. In the celestial region the virtues, of men who have performed righteous acts, are countless.
अयं त्वन्यो गुणः श्रेष्ठश्च्युतानां स्वर्गतो मुने शुभानुशययोगेन मनुष्येषूपजायते
M. N. Dutt: O Rishi, this is another of the attributes of the fallen that by reason of their merits, they take birth amongst men.
तत्रापि सुमहाभागः सुखभागभिजायते न चेत्संबुध्यते तत्र गच्छत्यधमतां ततः
AI Translation: Even there, he becomes very fortunate and attains happiness. But if he does not awaken there, he goes to the lowest state.
Supplementary Passages:
3.247.34 After 34, M1 ins.: *1192 तत्र गत्वा निवर्तन्ते न बुधा योगिनस्तथा
इह यत्क्रियते कर्म तत्परत्रोपभुज्यते कर्मभूमिरियं ब्रह्मन्फलभूमिरसौ मता
AI Translation: Whatever action is performed here, it is enjoyed in the next world. This world is the field of action, O Brahman, and that world is considered the field of fruits.
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यन्मां पृच्छसि मुद्गल तवानुकम्पया साधो साधु गच्छाम माचिरम्
M. N. Dutt: I seek that unfailing region, going where people have not to lament or to be pained or to be agitated.
व्यास उवाच एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु मौद्गल्यो वाक्यं विममृशे धिया विमृश्य च मुनिश्रेष्ठो देवदूतमुवाच ह
M. N. Dutt: You have described to me the great draw backs of the celestial region. Now describe to me a region which is free from fault.
देवदूत नमस्तेऽस्तु गच्छ तात यथासुखम् महादोषेण मे कार्यं न स्वर्गेण सुखेन वा
M. N. Dutt: The Celestial Messenger said: Above the abode of Brahma there is the supreme seat of Vishnu which is pure, eternal and effulgent. It is known by the name of Parabrahma. senses are
पतनं तन्महद्दुःखं परितापः सुदारुणः स्वर्गभाजश्च्यवन्तीह तस्मात्स्वर्गं न कामये
M. N. Dutt: O Brahmana, persons who are addicted to sensual objects or those who are subject to arrogance, coveteousness, ignorance, anger and envy, cannot go to that place.
यत्र गत्वा न शोचन्ति न व्यथन्ति चलन्ति वा तदहं स्थानमत्यन्तं मार्गयिष्यामि केवलम्
M. N. Dutt: Those men who are free from conflicting emotions and those that have restrained their and those that given to contemplation and Yoga can go there.
Supplementary Passages:
3.247.40 Dn (!) ins. after 40: D3, after 35: *1193 मुद्गल उवाच महान्तस्तु अमी दोषास्त्वया स्वर्गस्य कीर्तिताः निर्दोष एव यस्त्वन्यो लोकं तं प्रवदस्व मे देवदूत उवाच ब्रह्मणः सदनादूर्ध्वं तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम् शुद्धं सनातनं ज्योतिः परं ब्रह्मेति यद्विदुः न तत्र विप्र गच्छन्ति पुरुषा विषयात्मकाः दम्भलोभमहाक्रोधमोहद्रोहैरभिद्रुताः निर्ममा निरहंकारा निर्द्वंद्वाः संयतेन्द्रियाः ध्यानयोगपराश्चैव तत्र गच्छन्ति मानवाः
इत्युक्त्वा स मुनिर्वाक्यं देवदूतं विसृज्य तम् शिलोञ्छवृत्तिमुत्सृज्य शममातिष्ठदुत्तमम्
M. N. Dutt: O Mudgala, thus have I told you all that you asked me. O pious one, now without any further delay kindly come with me. Hearing those words that virtuous Rishi, leading unccha mode of life, assumed perfect contentment.
तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्भूत्वा समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः ज्ञानयोगेन शुद्धेन ध्याननित्यो बभूव ह
M. N. Dutt: Then praise and blame became equal to him. A brick,a stone and a piece of gold all became the same to him. By pure Jnana Yoga, he always became engaged in meditation.
Supplementary Passages:
3.247.42 After 42, K4 D1-3 ins.: *1194 निगृहीतेन्द्रियग्रामं समयोजयदात्मनि युक्तचित्तं तथात्मानं युयोज परमेश्वरे
ध्यानयोगाद्बलं लब्ध्वा प्राप्य चर्द्धिमनुत्तमाम् जगाम शाश्वतीं सिद्धिं परां निर्वाणलक्षणाम्
M. N. Dutt: Having acquired power by means of knowledge. He acquired excellent understanding and obtained that supreme state of emancipation which is eternal.
तस्मात्त्वमपि कौन्तेय न शोकं कर्तुमर्हसि राज्यात्स्फीतात्परिभ्रष्टस्तपसा तदवाप्स्यसि
M. N. Dutt: Therefore, O son of Kunti, you ought not to grieve. You have been deprived of a great kingdom, but you will region it by your asceticism.
सुखस्यानन्तरं दुःखं दुःखस्यानन्तरं सुखम् पर्यायेणोपवर्तन्ते नरं नेमिमरा इव
M. N. Dutt: Misery after happiness and happiness after misery revolve by turns round a man like a wheel round its axile.
पितृपैतामहं राज्यं प्राप्स्यस्यमितविक्रम वर्षात्त्रयोदशादूर्ध्वं व्येतु ते मानसो ज्वरः
M. N. Dutt: O undeterioratingly powerful one, after the thirteenth year has passed away, you will get back the kingdom of your father and grandfather.
वैशंपायन उवाच एवमुक्त्वा स भगवान्व्यासः पाण्डवनन्दनम् जगाम तपसे धीमान्पुनरेवाश्रमं प्रति
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Having said thus to the Pandava, the severed Vyasa went back to his hermitage for performing asceticism.